Restaurant, Chinese, lemon chicken
Whole food · Restaurant Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic Chinese-American staple, lemon chicken features tender, battered, and fried chicken breast drenched in a vibrant, sweet-tart lemon sauce. The dish is characterized by its crispy exterior and glossy, tangy coating, delivering a satisfying contrast of textures. Nutritionally, it is a moderate-calorie protein source, though its fat and sugar content are notable due to the frying and sauce.
Calorie split: 19% protein · 33% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its addictive balance of sweet and tangy flavors, the satisfying crunch of the battered chicken, and its comforting, familiar taste. It's a versatile dish that pairs well with steamed rice and is a staple in many Chinese takeout menus, representing a beloved fusion cuisine.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium and sugar, and the frying process increases fat content, which may concern those monitoring blood sugar or heart health. To counteract this, pair it with a large serving of steamed vegetables or brown rice to add fiber and slow sugar absorption, and consider portion control by sharing or choosing a smaller serving.
Key benefits
- Provides a good source of protein (11.87g per 100g) for muscle maintenance.
- Offers a quick and flavorful meal option with a satisfying sweet-sour profile.
- Contains some carbohydrates (20.61g per 100g) for energy.
- The lemon sauce can provide a small amount of vitamin C.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The sweet and tangy lemon sauce in Chinese-American lemon chicken is often made with a combination of lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch, and sometimes includes a hint of ginger or garlic, but rarely uses actual lemon zest, relying instead on artificial lemon flavoring for its signature taste.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 52.7 g |
| Energy | 252 kcal |
| Energy | 1054 kj |
| Protein | 11.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.6 g |
| Ash | 1.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 20.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g |
| Sucrose | 5.0 g |
| Glucose | 1.6 g |
| Fructose | 1.5 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.03 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 10.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 40.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 136 mg |
| Potassium, K | 161 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 252 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.51 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 13.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 3.8 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.52 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.25 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 28.6 mg |
| Betaine | 7.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.11 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 3.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 11.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 36.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.11 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 6.0 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 2.3 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 5.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 24.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 2.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 6.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 5.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.67 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.66 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.03 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.02 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 32.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.51 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.54 g |
| Leucine | 0.98 g |
| Lysine | 0.96 g |
| Methionine | 0.33 g |
| Cystine | 0.14 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.48 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.37 g |
| Valine | 0.57 g |
| Arginine | 0.52 g |
| Histidine | 0.36 g |
| Alanine | 0.67 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.51 g |
| Proline | 0.52 g |
| Serine | 0.51 g |
FAQ
Is lemon chicken healthy?
It can be part of a balanced diet in moderation. While it provides protein, the frying and sugary sauce add fat and sugar. Pairing it with vegetables and whole grains can improve its nutritional profile.
What is the main ingredient in lemon chicken?
The main ingredient is chicken breast, typically battered and fried, then coated with a sweet and tangy lemon sauce made from lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
How many calories are in a typical serving of lemon chicken?
A typical 100g serving contains about 252 calories, but portions can vary. A standard restaurant serving (about 200-300g) could range from 500 to 750 calories.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.52 kcal/g · 19% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 8.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.57 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.