Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is an explosion of flavors and textures. The zesty lemon sauce is perfectly balanced with soy sauce and a hint of sweetness, while the stir-fried chicken is tender and juicy. The addition of bell peppers, onions, and broccoli makes this dish light, healthy, and full of color. Plus, it’s easy to make in just one skillet, making cleanup a breeze!
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
directions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips for easy cooking.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine the chicken strips with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
Step 4: Heat Oil
In a skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Step 5: Cook the Chicken
Add the marinated chicken strips to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 6: Sauté Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, bell pepper, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender yet still crisp.
Step 7: Combine Ingredients
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the prepared lemon sauce into the skillet and stir to combine.
Step 8: Simmer
Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.
Step 9: Garnish
Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Add spice: If you prefer a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the sauce.
- Substitute vegetables: Feel free to swap the broccoli with other vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms for variation.
- Use different proteins: You can substitute the chicken with shrimp, tofu, or even beef for different flavor profiles.
storage/reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or reheat in a skillet on low heat until warm.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs will add more flavor and tenderness, though they may need a little longer to cook through.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and vegetables ahead of time, but it’s best to cook everything fresh when you’re ready to serve to keep the vegetables crisp.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh for a delicious vegetarian version of this dish.
Is the sauce very sweet?
The sauce has a slight sweetness from the sugar, but the lemon and soy sauce balance it out nicely. You can adjust the sugar to your preference.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the chicken and vegetable mixture for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Conclusion
Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken is a delicious and refreshing dish that is sure to impress anyone you serve it to. The combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a tangy lemon sauce makes for a satisfying meal that can be enjoyed any time of year. Whether served with rice or on its own, this recipe is a flavorful twist on traditional Chinese dishes. Enjoy!

Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Halal
Description
Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken is a vibrant, tangy dish that combines tender, shredded chicken with stir-fried vegetables, all coated in a zesty lemon sauce. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for weeknight dinners or as a light, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce
For the Lemon Sauce:
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar (adjust for sweetness)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Vegetables:
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup broccoli florets
1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips for easy cooking.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken strips with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Lemon Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat Oil: In a skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken strips to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, bell pepper, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender yet still crisp.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the prepared lemon sauce into the skillet and stir to combine.
- Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
Spicy Version: Add some red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper to the sauce for extra heat.
Substitute Vegetables: Feel free to swap the broccoli with snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms for variation.
Protein Alternatives: Swap the chicken for shrimp, tofu, or beef for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: undefined