Description
Zesty lemon sauce elevates this classic steamed chicken dish to culinary perfection. Delicate chicken meets tangy citrus in a simple yet sophisticated recipe that promises to delight your palate with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken (breast or thigh meat, cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sugar
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) cornstarch
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 3 teaspoons (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) fresh ginger paste (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 grams) white pepper
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cilantro, chopped (reserve 1/4 cup for garnish)
- Lemon peel strips (from juiced lemons)
Instructions
- Carefully slice chicken into uniform, bite-sized morsels, ensuring even cooking potential.
- Extract vibrant lemon zest in delicate strips, meticulously avoiding the bitter underlying pith.
- Extract lemon juice and finely chop fragrant cilantro, preserving a quarter cup for the final garnish.
- Craft a complex marinade by whisking together zesty lemon juice, rich oyster sauce, umami-laden soy sauce, subtle sugar, light vegetable oil, tangy vinegar, sharp ginger, aromatic sesame oil, balanced salt, nuanced white pepper, and silky cornstarch.
- Incorporate lemon peel strips into the marinade, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Gently fold chicken and chopped cilantro into the marinade, ensuring thorough and even coating.
- Allow the chicken to absorb marinade flavors by resting covered for approximately 20 minutes.
- Carefully transfer marinated chicken mixture into a heat-resistant dish suitable for steaming.
- Position the dish within a traditional bamboo steamer or alternative steaming apparatus.
- Steam the chicken for 15 minutes, periodically stirring to promote uniform cooking and sauce thickening.
- Discard lemon peel strips before plating to eliminate potential bitter elements.
- Present the succulent chicken atop fluffy steamed rice accompanied by complementary vegetables.
- Elegantly garnish with reserved fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
- Remove visible fat from chicken to reduce overall calorie content and ensure clean, tender meat.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help seasonings adhere better and create a more flavorful coating.
- Adjust marinating time based on chicken piece size; smaller pieces need less time to absorb flavors.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant citrus notes compared to bottled alternatives.
- Opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control salt intake without compromising taste.
- Consider gluten-free tamari as a substitute for traditional soy sauce for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Steam vegetables alongside chicken in the same steamer to create a complete, time-efficient meal.
- For a spicier version, add a few red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade.
- Rest chicken for 2-3 minutes after steaming to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg