Chinese Style Lemon Chicken (Air Fryer Version)

Recipe: Chinese Style Lemon Chicken (Air Fryer Version)

INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN:

• 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (Or 2 tablespoons soy sauce if not using oyster sauce)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons Chinese shaoxing wine 
• 1 large egg 
• 6 tablespoons corn starch
• 6 tablespoons wheat flour 
• Vegetable oil spray 

LEMON SAUCE:

• 1/2 cup water (Or chicken stock or broth)
• 1 lemon (Zest of whole lemon & juice of 3/4 - 1 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons corn starch 

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE CHICKEN:

1. In a large bowl whisk egg white, soy sauce and wine. Add in chicken, mix well and allow to marinate for 20 minutes or so.  
2. Mix corn starch and flour well in a large plate or tray. Pour chicken into the mixture and coat chicken pieces evenly.
3. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Set temperature to 350°F or 176°C. Shake excess flour off chicken pieces and place them inside the frying basket. Do not over crowd the pieces (Leave some space in between).
4. Lightly spray chicken pieces with cooking oil.
5. Fry chicken in batches for about 10 minutes, turning half way (or you may set 5 minutes cooking time for turning and reset 4-5 minutes to continue frying). Fry until golden and cooked through.
6. Once all batches are cooked, send all chicken pieces back in the basket and fry for another 1-2 minutes.
7. Transfer to a clean bowl or plate. 

FOR THE SAUCE:

1. Dissolve corn starch in water, add sugar and lemon zest.
2. Over medium high heat, whisk mixture in a pot, bring to a simmer and stir until thicken.
3. Add lemon juice and honey in and mix well. 
4. Drizzle sauce over chicken pieces, toss until evenly coated. Serve with steamed rice.