Lemon-Garlic Crispy Chicken

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

   4 min hands-on30 min waiting

   • Cut the chicken thighs into large, bite-sized pieces.
   • Combine the juice of half a lemon, black pepper, sugar, soy sauce, and egg whites in a bowl.
   • Add chicken to the marinade, mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare Aromatics and Sauce Base

   5 min hands-on

   • Thinly slice half a lemon and mince the onion, garlic, and ginger.
   • Zest two lemons and juice them into a separate bowl.
   • Combine chicken stock, soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper in a jug and stir until sugar dissolves.

3. Prepare the Coating

   3 min hands-on

   • Place whole-grain wheat flour in a large, shallow bowl.
   • Add marinated chicken and marinade to the flour, mixing and pressing to create a craggy coating.

4. Deep-Fry the Chicken

   3 min hands-on3 min waiting

   • Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F), ensuring it is deep enough to submerge chicken.
   • Fry chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
   • Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Prepare the Sauce

   3 min hands-on1 min waiting

   • Heat a wok or deep skillet over high heat until smoking lightly.
   • Add vegetable oil, then stir-fry minced onion, garlic, and ginger for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
   • Pour in the prepared chicken stock mixture and bring to a boil.

6. Thicken the Sauce

   1 min hands-on2 min waiting

   • Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
   • Gradually add slurry to simmering sauce, whisking continuously until thick and glossy.

7. Combine and Finish

   2 min hands-on

   • Add fried chicken to the wok and toss in the sauce until evenly coated.
   • Stir in lemon juice and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

8. Serve

   2 min hands-on

   • Transfer chicken to a serving platter or over steamed rice.
   • Garnish with sesame seeds and lemon slices. Serve immediately.
   • Cooking tips:
   • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating for maximum crispiness.
   • Use fresh oil for deep frying to avoid transferring unwanted flavors.
   • Add more lemon zest to the sauce for a stronger citrus flavor.
   • Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to enhance their nutty aroma.
   • Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer extra sauce for drizzling over rice.