Chinese Lemon Chicken
This sticky Chinese lemon chicken is a fresh and flavorful one-pan meal. This version is a healthier take on the traditional dish, and is paleo, whole30, and AIP-compliant.
What is Chinese Lemon Chicken?
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a traditional Chinese made with chicken cooked in a sweet, sticky, tart lemon sauce. It’s typically served with white rice at restaurants. I love lemon anything, so this chicken is a serious winner in my book!
Traditionally, this is made with soy, white flour, cornstarch, refined sugar and refined oils, but this version is totally free of all of those ingredients using coconut aminos, honey, and arrowroot starch instead! It’s totally gluten-free and grain-free, and is Paleo, AIP & adaptable to be Whole30 compliant.
Why this Sticky Chinese Lemon Chicken is Awesome
It’s made with nourishing ingredients
There’s no soy, white flour, cornstarch, refined sugar, and refined oils in this recipe!
It’s a one-pan meal
It’s made in one-pan, but tastes like you spent hours of effort on it! This is the perfect recipe for the next time life is busy but you don’t want to compromise on dinner.
How to Make This Sticky Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Make the sauce: Combine the broth, coconut aminos, lemon juice, honey, and arrowroot in a small bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken and coat in salt, pepper, and arrowroot starch. Heat the avocado oil in the pan and add the chicken. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Thicken the sauce: Add the liquid to the pan and stir well. Allow to come to a low simmer.
- Combine & serve: Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to coat in the sauce. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reads an internal temperature of 165 F. Serve topped with green onion and a side of rice or cauliflower rice if desired.
What can you serve as a side dish with this Sticky Chinese Lemon Chicken?
Typically, you would order this dish with something like plain white rice, sticky rice or fried rice. Here are some ideas for what you can serve it with…
- Cauliflower rice
- Oven-Roasted Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- White rice or brown rice (if tolerated)
The Ingredients
For the Sauce
You’ll need chicken broth, coconut aminos, a lemon, and honey to make the classic sticky lemon sauce!
Arrowroot Starch
This is used to thicken the sauce for the classic taste!
Chicken Breast
You can also use chicken thighs, if you prefer.
Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper
You can omit the black pepper if you are following AIP, but these really round out the flavor of this dish!
Green Onion
To top it all off!
You’ll also love…
- 20 Minute Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
- Moo Goo Gai Pan | Chinese Mushroom Chicken Stir Fry
- Orange Chicken
- Mongolian Chicken
Chinese Lemon Chicken
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Ingredients
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- Juice of one large lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp honey, omit for whole30
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp arrowroot starch, divided
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp green onion, chopped
Instructions
- Combine the broth, coconut aminos, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and 1 tsp arrowroot starch in a small bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
- Season the chicken and coat in salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp arrowroot starch.
- Heat the avocado oil in the pan and add the chicken. Cook for 4-5 minutes to lightly brown. Turn and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the liquid to the pan and stir well. Allow to come to a low simmer.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to coat in the sauce. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reads an internal temperature of 165 F and the sauce is sticky and thickened.
- Serve topped with green onion and a side of rice or cauliflower rice if desired.
Notes
I made the recipe as described it was pretty good. I think I may add a bit of fresh ginger next time.
Thanks!!
I made this last night and added a small bag of organic broccoli slaw and it just leveled up the meal! Highly suggest!!
Thank you Kalyn! So glad it was a hit 🙂