Combining tender, juicy chicken in a vibrant blend of fresh lemon juice, aromatic spices, and a hint of herbs, this lemon garlic chicken offers a symphony of flavours that is sure to impress. The acidity of fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of chicken, while the aromatic garlic, herbs, and spices offer complex notes that elevate the dish! With the addition of hot chilli peppers adding a gentle heat to the dish, it’s incredibly appetising that pairs perfectly well with fresh salad greens, grilled vegetables, or a bowl of rice.
With the lemon and garlic mixture infusing the chicken with robust flavours, every bite is juicy and packed with taste. Follow this recipe to make this classic dish that brings a burst of sunshine to your table!
Table of contents
- What makes this lemon garlic chicken so good
- Ingredients for lemon garlic chicken
- How to make lemon garlic chicken
- Success tips for making lemon garlic chicken
- How long should I marinate the chicken?
- Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon?
- How do I store leftovers?
- How do I reheat leftover lemon garlic chicken?
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- More chicken recipes
- You may also like
What makes this lemon garlic chicken so good
- Quick and easy: This recipe is easy and straightforward using simple ingredients, making it a quick and delicious meal option that can be prepared in under half an hour.
- Healthy and full of flavours: With a combination of herbs, spices, and fresh lemon to complement with savoury, tender chicken thighs, this dish is packed with incredibly irresistible flavours. Using nutrient-rich ingredients to make the dish, it is healthy and relatively low in calories.
- Versatile and customisable: You can easily adjust the recipe to include more vegetables to enhance its nutritional value, and even customise with your choice of herbs and spices to add a subtle kick and aromatic notes to the dish!
Ingredients for lemon garlic chicken
- Boneless chicken thigh: The main ingredient of this dish. This recipe uses 1 boneless chicken thigh which is about 300g.
- Garlic: This adds depth and a savoury quality that complements the chicken and elevates the overall flavour profile of the dish.
- Onion: This adds a crunchy texture and natural sweetness to the dish, contributing a fragrant aroma that makes it even more flavourful.
- Herbs and spices: I added fresh coriander and hot chilli peppers to add a subtle kick and refreshing notes to the dish.
- Fresh lemon: The zesty, citrusy lemon enhances the overall flavour of the dish while providing a pleasant contrast to the savoury chicken.
- Honey: This neutralises the acidity from the fresh lemon juice and adds a slight sweetness to the chicken.
For the marinade
- Sugar: Sugar helps caramelise the meat when cooked, creating a delicious crust on the surface. It also aids in browning and adds a depth of flavour to the meat.
- Cornstarch: Acting as a thickening agent, cornstarch helps tenderise the chicken and allows the marinade to cling onto the meat better, forming a flavourful coating.
- Salt and pepper: These enhance the natural flavours of the chicken.
- Soy sauce: This adds a rich, savoury umami flavour to the marinade, enhancing the overall taste of the meat. It also adds depth and complexity to the dish.
- Rice wine: It imparts a slightly sweet and aromatic quality to balance the flavours in the marinade, and helps remove the smell of frozen meats.
- Sesame oil: Not only does it add depth, richness, and a pleasant fragrance to the marinade, it also helps tenderise the meat by adding moisture to make the chicken juicier and more tender.
How to make lemon garlic chicken
- Cut the chicken thigh into bite-sized pieces, then mix in the ingredients for the marinade.
- Meanwhile, prepare the ingredients. Slice the onion and garlic cloves, and chop the hot chilli pepper and fresh coriander. Set aside.
- For the lemon, slice half of it while squeeze the other half into lemon juice. Mix honey with the lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a deep frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat, then add in the marinated chicken thighs. Pan-sear for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then set aside.
- Using the same frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat, then add in sliced onions, garlic, and chopped chillies. Stir-fry until fragrant.
- Transfer the cooked chicken thighs back to the pan, add in sliced lemons and the honey lemon mixture, then stir-fry to mix well.
- Add in chopped coriander and give it a quick stir.
- Transfer the dish to a serving plate, and garnish with some extra freshly chopped coriander.
Success tips for making lemon garlic chicken
Remove the lemon seeds during preparation.
The seeds of fresh lemon impart a bitter taste to the dish, which will affect the overall flavours. Be sure to remove all of them before stir-frying with the chicken thighs.
Ensure the frying pan and oil are heated in advance.
You’ll need enough heat intensity to get a nice golden-brown sear on the chicken. This adds depth of flavour through caramelisation. Same for stir-frying, it induces more flavours from the ingredients when the pan is well heated.
Do not overcook.
Be sure to remove the chicken thighs from the pan as soon as they are just cooked. This ensures they maintain tender and juicy inside even after stir-frying with other ingredients at the later step. To check for their doneness, you can use a chopstick to poke through the meat. If it goes through, remove them from the pan and set aside.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
Marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavours from the marinade. Marinating for a few hours or overnight will yield even better results.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon?
Yes, you can. However, using fresh lemon juice provides a brighter flavour and aroma that enhances the dish.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before storing, and store the fresh lemon slices separately as the bitterness from the lemon skin will infuse into the chicken. Place the leftovers in an airtight container and store in a refrigerator. They will last 3-4 days.
How do I reheat leftover lemon garlic chicken?
Reheat them over the stovetop or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken ahead of time, wrap them with cling film or place them in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. This will even enhance the flavour! Be sure to cook them within 2 days.
This lemon garlic chicken brings together bright, refreshing lemon with savoury richness from the garlic chicken, beautifully balancing tangy citrus with aromatic garlic. Ready in under half an hour, it is both quick and easy to make, a taste of sunshine, and a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in harmony.
More chicken recipes
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Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 boneless chicken thigh (300g)
- 1/2 medium onion sliced
- 1 chilli chopped
- 3 garlic cloves sliced
- Fresh coriander chopped
- 1 lemon (½ sliced, ½ squeezed to juice)
- 1 tbsp honey
For the marinade
- 1-1½ tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp rice wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut the chicken thigh into bite-sized pieces, transfer to a large bowl, and add in the ingredients for the marinade. I like to mix with my hand for better absorption and ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients. Slice the onion and garlic cloves, and chop hot chilli pepper and fresh coriander. Set aside.
- For the lemon, cut it in half, then slice one half, while squeeze the other half into juice over a strainer. Remove any seeds from the fresh lemon slices.
- Add honey into the lemon juice, mix well and set aside.
Cook the dish
- In a deep frying pan, heat 1-2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat, then add in the marinated chicken thighs. Sear both sides until golden-brown for 4-5 minutes. You can check if they are cooked by poking a chopstick through the meat.
- Remove the cooked chicken thighs from the pan, then add in sliced onions and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant and they start to slightly brown.
- Add in chopped chillies and stir-fry till fragrant.
- Transfer the cooked chicken thighs back to the frying pan, add in sliced lemons and the honey lemon mixture, then stir-fry to mix well.
- Add in chopped coriander and give it a quick stir.
- Transfer the lemon garlic chicken to a serving plate, and garnish with extra freshly chopped coriander.
