How to Make Honey Lemon Chicken

Prepare Chicken for Maximum Tenderness

Coat with cornstarch and seasonings before perfectly browning.

Create Balanced Honey-Lemon Sauce

Combine sweet, tangy, and savory elements for flavor harmony.

Achieve Perfect Sauce Consistency

Use cornstarch slurry technique for silky, clingy texture.

Combine and Finish with Finesse

Marry chicken and sauce with proper timing for optimal flavor infusion.

Baking Tips

For extra lemon flavor, add an additional teaspoon of lemon zest to the sauce.

Chicken thighs will produce a more tender result than breasts, but either works well in this recipe.

Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure proper browning.

The sauce can be made ahead and stored separately, then combined with freshly cooked chicken when ready to serve.

For a spicy variation, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Honey Lemon Chicken

Name: Honey Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 1/3 cup honey; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons); 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred); 1/2 cup chicken broth; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 green onions, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; Lemon slices for garnish; Steamed rice or noodles, for serving; Steamed broccoli or vegetables, for serving (optional)

A bright and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and tangy honey lemon sauce. This quick and satisfying recipe balances citrus notes with natural sweetness for a crowd-pleasing meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners.

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

40 Minutes

Chef

JUE

Ingredients

Custard Cream

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

1/2 cup chicken broth

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon butter

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Lemon slices for garnish

Steamed rice or noodles, for serving

Steamed broccoli or vegetables, for serving (optional)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add chicken in a single layer (working in batches if necessary) and cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add a bit more oil if needed. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, chicken broth, and lemon zest.

Pour the honey-lemon mixture into the pan and bring to a simmer.

In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry.

While stirring constantly, slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes to warm the chicken through.

Remove from heat and stir in the tablespoon of butter until melted for added richness and shine.

Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and lemon slices.

If desired, serve with steamed broccoli or other vegetables on the side.

Honey Lemon Chicken

JUE

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

How to Make Honey Lemon Chicken

Honey Lemon Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions