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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.

sticky chinese lemon chicken

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.

 

sticky chinese lemon chicken

 

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…

 

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!

 

sticky chinese lemon chicken

 

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Chinese Lemon Chicken

★★★★★

5 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

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.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 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
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp green onion, chopped

Instructions

  1. Combine the broth, coconut aminos, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and 1 tsp arrowroot starch in a small bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
  2. Season the chicken and coat in salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp arrowroot starch.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the liquid to the pan and stir well. Allow to come to a low simmer.
  5. 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.
  6. Serve topped with green onion and a side of rice or cauliflower rice if desired.

Notes

All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 224
  • Fat: 10.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.1g
  • Fiber: 0.2g
  • Protein: 25.9g

Chinese Lemon Chicken