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Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 41 reviews
  • Author: Beverly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian-American
  • Diet: Low Salt

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.