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Lemon chicken is delicious and combines tender breast pieces with the bright zest of lemon and fragrant spices.
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It makes for an easy meal during a working week dinner or even prepared for friends and family gatherings.
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First, gather all your ingredients together: 300 gms or 10 ounces of boneless chicken breast, which you will cut into nice pieces. This will cook the chicken well while allowing it to absorb the zesty flavours of the marinade.
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Run a sharp knife over the chicken, then marinate the chicken. In a mixing bowl, put 11/2 tablespoons of oil, 1 teaspoon of finely grated ginger, 11/2 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon of salt (according to your taste buds), and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest if you want an additional citrus kick. Heat is added with 1/2 Tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder-which imparts a appetizing colour without much heat.
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To add additional colour, put 1/2 Tsp of turmeric powder that brings a pleasant warm golden hue along with earthiness to the dish.
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Now mix all these ingredients well so that the chicken pieces get coated evenly by the marinade.
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Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes; this is an important step because it helps to give flavour to the chicken and tenderize the meat.
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Start by preparing other ingredients so nothing can go wrong with the cooking process.
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Use 11/2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
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Add in 1 tablespoon of chopped or minced ginger and 11/2 tablespoons of chopped or minced garlic.
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Let these aromatics saut for about a minute until they give out their fragrant aroma.
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Then add 1 slit green chilli or as many or as few as you want depending on your spice preference.
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Then you add in 1 medium yellow onion that is chopped finely, so it would take about 3-4 minutes to be translucent and soft.
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As onions cook, add 11/2 teaspoons sugar to balance the acidity of the lemon and enhance the flavour profile; add a choice of seasoning either 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, garam masala, or all-spice.
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Each has a different character that speaks in the dish, so have your preference according to your choice of taste.
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Stir the mixture well; this way, you will mix the spices and blend them fragrantly.
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Pour in the chicken and whatever marinade may be left over once the onions and spices have mixed well.
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Continue saut ing the chicken on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally for about 6 to 8 minutes or till the juice's pinkish colour turns pale, and the chicken is cooked through; the marinade will reduce into this rich, sticky sauce that clings to all the chicken pieces.
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To top it all off, add 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce, which imparts its characteristic umami flavour in great harmony with the lemony flavour.
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Mix everything for another minute to ensure that the coating of the sauce is uniform. Add 8-10 finely chopped mint leaves or a handful of coriander leaves just before serving to add a touch of freshness to it. The herbs will very well give a bright colour to the dish and the aromatic qualities related to it enhance the dish.
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Serve the lemon chicken hot, either on its own or over a bed of steamed rice or noodles, so that the sauce infuses throughout the grains.
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With all these flavour buds and such a lovely presentation, it is excellent for meals at home or entertaining guests in general.
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Enjoy it, because each bite brings together the tartness of zesty lemon, the depth of aromatic spices, and the tenderness of well-cooked chicken.
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The lemon chicken will be a favourite for any household to brighten up an otherwise dreary day with a taste of brightness and warmth!