Description
This Air Fryer Lemon Chicken recipe offers a deliciously tangy and crispy chicken dish made easy with the convenience of an air fryer. The chicken is marinated, coated in a double layer of flour and egg, then air fried to golden perfection before being tossed in a bright, sweet, and savory lemon sauce. Garnished with fresh green onions, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor and minimal oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 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
- ⅔ 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 a dredging station for the chicken.
- Marinate and Dredge Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to marinate briefly. Then coat each piece first in flour, dip into the egg mixture, and coat again in flour to create a double layer crust.
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket and spray them with cooking spray for a crispy finish. 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 ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ⅔ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Toss and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, pour the warm lemon sauce over it and toss gently to coat each piece. Garnish with the chopped green parts of 2 green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tangy flavors.
Notes
- Be sure to cut chicken into even-sized pieces for uniform cooking.
- Spraying the chicken with cooking spray before air frying helps achieve a golden, crispy texture without deep frying.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar in the lemon sauce to make it more or less sweet based on your preference.
- If you don’t have low-sodium soy sauce, regular soy sauce can be used but may increase the saltiness.
- The air fryer temperature and time may vary slightly depending on the model; check chicken for doneness before serving.