September 20, 2013

Fried Chicken with Lemon Sauce




So this is my all time favorite Lemon Chicken recipe.  SC (Sous Chef) Cortney and I prefer it with fried chicken, but you can make it healthier by pouring the sauce over grilled, broiled or baked chicken. 


RECIPE

1/2 C. sugar
1 C. chicken broth
2 tsp lemon zest
1/3 C. lemon juice (bottled)
1/4 C. light corn syrup
1 TBL Rice Vinegar
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 TBL cold water
2 TBL cornstarch

* Mix cornstarch and water together and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, bring remaining ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly (but slowly).  Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Turn up the heat so the sauce comes back to a boil.  Mix the cornstarch again to get rid of any clumps and add it to the sauce.  Stir constantly and simmer until it thickens- a couple minutes.  Toss it with some Fried Chicken Nuggets (see recipe on Sept 18th post) and serve with rice.  Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes- optional (I like a hint of heat).

Tips:
  • The sauce will seem like it's too thin, but the chicken and rice soak it up.
  • I used 1 1/2 C. uncooked rice for this amount of sauce, brown or white.
  • I sliced up the lemon I grated and put it in for the picture- I don't normally do that, but it turned out really pretty.  If you're trying to impress a guest, add it for looks (just be careful not to get a seed in the sauce)!  OR you can squeeze the lemon and use it for part of the juice needed.  SC Cortney and I have found that the bottled juice is more potent, giving the sauce a better flavor- (I save the lemon and use it for smoothies or something else so it doesn't go to waste.). 
  • Rice Vinegar is sweeter- it's worth buying cause it will keep in your cupboard forever and it makes a difference for Chinese sauces.  If you're in a pinch and don't have it, substitute regular white vinegar, but only use 1/2 TBL.
  • I tried using the same recipe, but substituting orange for the lemon and it didn't turn out that great.  Still working on that perfect orange chicken sauce.

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