Crispy Baked Lemon Chicken with Zesty Citrus Sauce
Delight in this mouthwatering Crispy Baked Lemon Chicken, coated in a perfectly seasoned crispy layer and drizzled with a refreshing zesty citrus sauce. With half the fat compared to traditional restaurant versions, this dish makes for a guilt-free indulgence! Perfectly baked, juicy chicken paired with a tangy lemon sauce creates an explosion of flavors that your family will love. This recipe, adapted from Betty Crocker's Best Chicken Recipes, guarantees that you'll have no leftovers, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or special occasions.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 large (cut lengthwise)
egg white
1 (whisked)
water
1 teaspoon (for mixing)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (for coating)
baking soda
1 teaspoon (for coating)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for coating (1/2 teaspoon for spicier))
cooking spray
as needed (for spraying chicken and baking sheet)
lemon
1/2 (cut into thin slices)
green onion
1 (chopped (about 1 Tbls))
sugar
1/4 cup (for sauce)
chicken broth
1/3 cup (for sauce)
grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon (for sauce)
lemon juice
3 tablespoons (for sauce)
light corn syrup
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (for sauce)
garlic clove
1 (minced for sauce)
cornstarch
2 teaspoons (for thickening sauce)
cold water
1 teaspoon (for mixing with cornstarch)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
2. Cut each chicken breast half lengthwise into thin fillets.
3
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Add the chicken fillets and turn to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
4
4. While the chicken marinates, prepare a nonstick cookie sheet by spraying it lightly with cooking spray.
5
5. In a large resealable plastic bag, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cayenne pepper. Remove the chicken from the egg mixture and discard the excess.
6
6. Individually add each chicken fillet to the bag, seal, and gently shake to coat the chicken evenly with the flour mixture.
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7. Place the coated chicken fillets on the prepared cookie sheet. Spray the tops with a light layer of cooking spray until moist.
8
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and the juices run clear when tested at the thickest part.
9
9. While the chicken bakes, prepare the Chinese Lemon Sauce. In a 1-quart saucepan, combine sugar, chicken broth, lemon peel, lemon juice, corn syrup, rice vinegar, salt, and minced garlic. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
10
10. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture into the boiling sauce. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
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11. Once the chicken is done, allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing each piece into 5 pieces.
12
12. Serve the slices of chicken drizzled with the zesty lemon sauce, garnished with fresh lemon slices and chopped green onion.
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13. Enjoy your meal, ideally with a side of steamed broccoli for a complete experience!
Nutrition Information
4.5
Fat
17.5
Carbs
22.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this chicken recipe?
The recipe is called Crispy Baked Lemon Chicken with Zesty Citrus Sauce.
How many calories are in one serving of this lemon chicken?
There are 200 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This dish contains 4.5 grams of fat.
How much protein is provided per serving?
Each serving contains 22.5 grams of protein.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
How should the chicken breasts be prepared before cooking?
Each chicken breast half should be cut lengthwise into thin fillets.
What ingredients are used for the chicken marinade?
The chicken is marinated in a mixture of one egg white and one teaspoon of water.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for 10 minutes.
What is in the crispy coating mixture?
The coating consists of all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cayenne pepper.
How do you apply the flour coating to the chicken?
Place the dry ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken fillets individually, seal, and shake to coat evenly.
How long does the chicken need to bake?
The chicken should be baked for 20-25 minutes.
What are the ingredients for the Chinese Lemon Sauce?
The sauce includes sugar, chicken broth, lemon peel, lemon juice, corn syrup, rice vinegar, salt, minced garlic, and a cornstarch slurry.
How do you thicken the citrus sauce?
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 teaspoon of cold water and stir it into the boiling sauce mixture.
How long should the sauce cook once the cornstarch is added?
Cook the sauce for an additional 30 seconds while stirring constantly until it thickens.
How long should the chicken rest after baking?
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
How should the chicken be sliced for serving?
Each fillet should be sliced into 5 pieces.
What garnishes are recommended for this dish?
Serve the chicken garnished with fresh lemon slices and chopped green onion.
What side dish is suggested to complete the meal?
Steamed broccoli is recommended as a side dish for a complete experience.
Is this recipe low in fat?
Yes, it is described as having half the fat of traditional restaurant versions.
Can I make the chicken spicier?
Yes, you can increase the cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon for a spicier version.
What source was this recipe adapted from?
This recipe was adapted from Betty Crocker's Best Chicken Recipes.
What type of vinegar is used in the lemon sauce?
The sauce uses 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar.
How do you prepare the baking sheet?
Spray a nonstick cookie sheet lightly with cooking spray.
How much carbohydrate is in this recipe?
The recipe contains 17.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 19 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Does this recipe use fresh garlic?
Yes, it calls for 1 minced garlic clove for the sauce.
What type of chicken is required?
The recipe requires 4 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknights?
Yes, it is described as a go-to meal for busy weeknights.
What is the purpose of baking soda in the flour mixture?
Baking soda is used in the coating to help create a crispy texture when baked.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, lemon, baked chicken, healthy, chinese sauce, and low fat.