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Honey Lemon Chicken

[heart_this] · Jun 4, 2009 · 76 Comments

Honey Lemon Chicken

I seem to have been on quite the lemon kick lately! This week it’s a honey lemon chicken which is a dish that I enjoy ordering when eating out at Chinese restaurants. I thought that I would try my hand at making it at home and I wanted to try keeping it on the lighter side. Normally the honey lemon chicken comes fried in a crispy batter but I decided to go with simply sauteing the chicken. I cooked the chicken as the full breast and then sliced it as that is how it normally comes but I was thinking that you could easily cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, add some vegetables and turn this into more of a stir-fry. Next up was the sauce which I kept nice and simple with pretty much just the honey and the lemon. I did add a bunch of ginger for a bit of a kick though. The honey lemon chicken was a snap to make and it turned out really well. Lemon pairs well with honey and works surprisingly well in savoury dishes like this. I served the honey lemon chicken with some steamed broccoli and some brown rice which did an excellent job of soaking up all of the extra sauce.

Honey Lemon Chicken

Honey Lemon Chicken

Prep Time: 4 hours 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes Servings: 4
ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breasts
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)
  • 1 lemon (juice and zest)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • salt and pepper to taste
directions
  1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the oil in a pan.
  3. Add the chicken and saute until golden brown and cooked through and set aside.
  4. Add the ginger and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
  5. Add the lemon juice and zest, honey, stock, salt and pepper and reduce to thicken. (Note: Do a taste test here to make sure that the lemon and honey balance nicely.)
  6. Pour the honey lemon sauce over the chicken.
Option: For One-Pan: Make this a one-pan meal by adding 8 ounces of pasta and 2 1/4 cups broth or water (or 1 cup of rice and 2 cups broth or water) to the sauce in step 8 and simmer, covered, until cooked, about 12 minutes (or 20 minutes for rice).
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6 Ingredients, Chicken, Chinese, Food, Gluten-free, Low-carb, Main Course, One-Pan, One-Pot, Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lori says

    June 5, 2009 at 12:47 am

    This looks totally scrumptious. You make everything look so delicious. This sounds like a great recipe.

    Hey I was in your neck of the woods the other day. I just love Toronto. We spent most of the day on Spadina.

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    June 5, 2009 at 12:58 am

    Mmmm, this looks awesome! That photo is so tempting. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jo says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:16 am

    OMG can you please come and cook at my house?

    This dish looks like a meal my whole family would enjoy…. another dish of yours for my every growing "to cook" list!

    Take care – Jo

    Reply
  4. lisa says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:19 am

    This sounds great! Love the ginger in the sauce too.

    Reply
  5. maybelle's mom says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:58 am

    I bet this is much healthier than the chinese restaurant.

    Reply
  6. kitchenetta says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:01 am

    Mmmmm, bookmarking this one. Sounds delish.

    Reply
  7. Ginny says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:30 am

    oh delicious! i would love this for dinner! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Psychgrad says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:35 am

    This looks delicious! Works perfectly too since I just bought 10 lemons at the market today.

    Reply
  9. Donna-FFW says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:01 am

    Love the honey/lemon combo!

    Reply
  10. Kerstin says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:21 am

    What a great flavor combo! We are always looking for new chicken recipes – yum!

    Reply
  11. Nina Timm says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:24 am

    This is a winner and a keeper for sure!!!

    Reply
  12. Carrie says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:40 am

    Wow, this looks delicious! You have a terrific blog, I am so glad I came across it!

    Reply
  13. Gabby says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:49 am

    This looks delicious!

    Reply
  14. Allen says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:59 am

    Nicely done – very healthy looking and super lemony!

    Reply
  15. ♥peachkins♥ says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:59 am

    *drool*
    Can I come by your house for dinner?

    Reply
  16. Saee Koranne-Khandekar says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:15 am

    What a bright picture! Looks refreshingly good!

    Reply
  17. Irene says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:31 am

    Lemon and chicken and honey, yum! This looks so lovely and summery!

    Reply
  18. Pam says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:38 am

    What a beautiful and tasty dish. I love the color. Bookmarked.

    Reply
  19. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:10 am

    That dish looks fabulous and very appetizing!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:14 am

    looks clean and tasty, great pic

    Reply
  21. gaga says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:31 am

    Mmm, so simple yet so delicious.

    Reply
  22. Helene says

    June 5, 2009 at 6:19 am

    What a great creation. I love lemon chicken but don't like that it is friend. I would prefer yours.

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says

    June 5, 2009 at 6:29 am

    This looks DELICIOUS!! You are making me hungry.

    Reply
  24. Jan says

    June 5, 2009 at 10:52 am

    YUM! – No make that a double yum! Lovin the idea of this Kevin.

    Reply
  25. Joanne says

    June 5, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Lemon is an awesome thing to be on a kick with! I love lemon chicken from Chinese restaurants, thanks for the at-home version.

    Reply
  26. La Table De Nana says

    June 5, 2009 at 11:31 am

    I am CERTAIN I would love this..

    Now could you please recreate Honey Lavender Chicken ..like the one I had in Provence? Juicy like this photo of yours..but honey lav! I have tried 2 authentic recipes..to no avail:(

    You are really good at recreating!

    Reply
  27. Happy cook says

    June 5, 2009 at 11:34 am

    Wow tha tplate looks so clean, delicous and bursting with flavours.

    Reply
  28. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    June 5, 2009 at 11:51 am

    I don't think there is such a thing as too much lemon. I keep a large bowl of lemons on my countertop at all times, right next to the onions — both essential for my cooking.

    Reply
  29. Anncoo says

    June 5, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Wow, looks so tempting!

    Reply
  30. Ciao Chow Linda says

    June 5, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    Gorgeous photo. WHen I first saw it, I thought, oh no, preserved lemons and I don't have any. I was glad to read the recipe and see it's just ordinary lemon that I have access to. another winner Kevin.

    Reply
  31. Jescel says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    very clever of you, doing away with the breading! haven't had honey chicken in whole pieces though, hehehe… but this looks real good. and you're right, honey+lemon+ginger is a winning combo all the time.

    Reply
  32. zoe says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    I LOVE this so much. Perfect for a light summer dinner.

    Reply
  33. Debbie says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    What a perfect chicken dish and I love both honey and lemon!

    Reply
  34. Sylvie says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Nothing wrong with a lemon kick, Kevin. Lemon is always good.

    Reply
  35. elly says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    I love lemon in anything, and I'm sure with the honey and ginger this is delicious!

    Reply
  36. Kelly says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    That chicken looks SO good and so refreshing! Yum!

    Reply
  37. Chef Jeena says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Hi Kevin how are you?

    Your chicken dish looks amazing and what gorgeous flavours too!

    Love your new header. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Cookin' Canuck says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    Beautiful photo, as usual! This recipe sounds so tasty and I appreciate that you sauteed, rather than fried the chicken.

    Reply
  39. Peabody says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    I will have to try this to liven up my weekday menu! Looks good.

    Reply
  40. Jeff says

    June 5, 2009 at 6:15 pm

    There is nothing wrong with being on a lemon kick and seriously I think on some cosmic level we are related because I have been addicted to lemons too.

    I like the non battered aspect especially being Spring time and have to go look.

    Nicely done!

    Reply
  41. The Duo Dishes says

    June 5, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    This looks beautiful on the plate! The colors really pop.

    Reply
  42. Sarah says

    June 5, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Made this for lunch today – Delicious!! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  43. Morta Di Fame says

    June 5, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Looks so good and orange my favorite color. My BF was looking over my shoulder and saw the tilapia post below and said, "Make that!" He is getting sick of all my veggies and your meat dishes always look fantastic! He is the harshest food critic so be flattered.

    Reply
  44. George says

    June 5, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Oh my this looks good. Love lemon chicken and have never tried it at home.

    Reply
  45. Ninette says

    June 5, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    You are very talented, Kevin. That's all I'm going to say this time because I know I'll be back!

    Reply
  46. We Are Not Martha says

    June 5, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    Mmmm I love lemon anything and I bet the honey makes it absolutely amazing!

    Sues

    Reply
  47. Lynda says

    June 5, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    I love the idea of this dish; it's so healthy, but has a great kick of flavor! I'll have to try this!

    Reply
  48. Kevin says

    June 6, 2009 at 12:34 am

    La Table De Nana: I have never had honey lavender chicken though I have been wanting to try cooking with lavender.

    Reply
  49. Pam says

    June 6, 2009 at 2:39 am

    What a great, simple recipe!

    Reply
  50. Sara says

    June 6, 2009 at 3:15 am

    I am in love with this. Great job!

    Reply
  51. Kay says

    June 6, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    I really, really want to eat this. This looks so utterly divine.

    Reply
  52. Soma says

    June 6, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    What a beautiful color. Love the ginger & lemon together!

    Reply
  53. Peter M says

    June 6, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    Nothing wrong with a lemon kick…citrus pairs so well with poultry. I'm diggin the spike of ginger too!

    Reply
  54. Cara says

    June 8, 2009 at 1:06 am

    sounds like a delicious light meal!

    Reply
  55. cb says

    June 9, 2009 at 4:52 am

    Made this tonight and it was fabulous! Steamed up some broccoli on the side and made some couscous to soak of the juices! Fabulous!! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  56. Erin says

    June 9, 2009 at 5:32 am

    Oh yum! This looks good. My SO is supposed to hook me up with some homemade honey from a coworker. As soon as I get it, I want to try this!

    Reply
  57. Phoo-D says

    June 11, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    This sounds delicious and I love the brightly colored photo!

    Reply
  58. theskylitup says

    June 13, 2009 at 4:28 am

    I just made this tonight. Very flavorful and wonderful chicken. I will definitely make this again!

    Reply
  59. Spryte says

    June 16, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    That's gorgeous and sounds delicious!! I've saved it to delicious and will definitely be making it!

    Reply
  60. [eatingclub] vancouver || js says

    June 23, 2009 at 5:50 am

    This version of honey lemon chicken looks positively scrumptious. Beats take-out any day.

    Reply
  61. anuradha says

    July 13, 2009 at 5:37 am

    This looks awesome! Yummy……………
    Sounds great…

    Reply
  62. Nicole says

    July 16, 2009 at 12:54 am

    Delicious!! Made this last night. I added 1 clove of garlic and one sprig of spring onion for extra texture/taste.
    Thanks for sharing!!! I even told everyone about it on my blog 🙂

    Reply
  63. Sandi says

    March 10, 2010 at 3:38 am

    this looks amazing Kevin. I want to make it tomorrow….can you tell me if you use the thin chicken cutlets or the thick ones?

    Thanks

    Reply
  64. Kevin says

    March 12, 2010 at 2:49 am

    Sandi: I prefer to use thinner chicken cutlets as they cook through all the way quicker.

    Reply
  65. Anonymous says

    April 2, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    Hi, just cooked this for dinner. Delicious. I stumbled
    onto your blog while looking for a recipe for chicken
    breasts. Thanks for saving us from a boring chicken dinner!

    Reply
  66. Beth says

    September 11, 2011 at 3:47 am

    Just made this with lime — very good but I think with the lime it could have used a little more honey. I will definately make this again with lemon or maybe orange…triple sec or Grand Marnier too? I'm thinking quesadilla with the 1 breast I have leftover.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  67. Cora @ Cora Cooks says

    November 8, 2011 at 12:47 am

    Made this tonight and loved it. Added a little sherry to the sauce. The honey and sherry gave it a smooth lemony flavor with a little depth to the finish. Served it with roasted brussels sprouts and fried brown rice with carrots and snow peas. Definitely will make it again!

    Reply
  68. Josie says

    January 22, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    That looks delicious! I'm going to give it a try. Thanks!

    Reply
  69. Cindy says

    February 4, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    Made these the other night with some minor tweaks. Very good! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  70. CharlesR says

    January 6, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Kevin:
    Sounds good, looks great.

    Have a Joyful Day :~D
    Charlie

    Reply
  71. Anonymous says

    February 8, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    I made the Honey Lemon Chicken. It was fantastic. My husband really liked it. But I think the next time I make it, I will put the chicken back in the sause while it is reducing. But the taste is fantastic. Thanks Kevin.

    Reply
  72. Kevin says

    February 9, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    Anonymous: Glad you enjoyed it! Adding the chicken back to the pan after deglazing it definitely works!

    Reply
  73. Anonymous says

    February 26, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    This was an EXCELLENT dish! I doubled the sauce and seared the chicken first; set aside then added the ingredients. I let it reduce a little, added the chicken back in pan and finished the cooking process in the oven with the juices. YUMMY!

    Reply
  74. Anonymous says

    September 13, 2013 at 5:22 am

    This was delicious! My whole family loved it and it was extremely easy. Thank you!!

    Reply
  75. Anonymous says

    February 21, 2014 at 2:54 am

    I made this tonight, with great enthusiasm. I would highly recomment reuducing or even elimnating the lemon rind, not the juice. Overpowering as in the recipe. And, also might want to increase the honey. Recommend starting with half the lemon, and go from there… Delicious once I finally figured out (to me taste), the proportions.

    Reply
  76. [email protected] says

    August 20, 2016 at 6:58 am

    lemon chicken looks delicious and photo look very nice…….. !!!

    Reply

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About Me

Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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