Description
A bright and tangy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken recipe featuring crispy, tender chicken pieces coated in a zesty lemon sauce. This quick and easy dish is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner and uses an air fryer for a healthier alternative to traditional frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 green onions, green parts only, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- â…” cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare Dredging Stations: Place the flour in one shallow dish and the beaten eggs in another shallow dish to set up your dredging stations for coating the chicken.
- Marinate and Dredge Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sesame oil to marinate lightly. Dredge each piece first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and coat again in the flour to ensure a crispy exterior after cooking.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, spray the pieces with cooking spray, and air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
- Make Lemon Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the lemon juice, sugar, chicken broth, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and cornstarch. Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Toss and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, pour the lemon sauce over the chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar in the lemon sauce to balance the tartness of the lemon according to your taste.
- Make sure the chicken pieces are in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
- If you do not have an air fryer, this recipe can also be prepared in a conventional oven by baking at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content without losing flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
