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4.96 stars (22 reviews)
25 minutes mins
Posted by Sommer Collier on Jan 15, 2021
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Lemon Paleo Chicken Recipe: So fresh and crispy, you won’t even know it’s healthy! This Lemon Chicken is easy to make, gluten free, dairy free, and nut free!
Lemon Chicken
We’re talking about this Lemon Chicken Recipe today… There are few things in life that make me as excited as fried chicken. Very few things.
This time of year, when I’m trying to reset my eating habits, it can be so hard to stay on track. Trigger foods seem to pop up everywhere I look.
Yet what if the trigger foods are revamped, so that I can enjoy them and not torture myself later in the day?
Today I’m sharing a cleaned-up version of my Lemon Chicken Recipe. Crispy fried chicken pieces drizzled in a sweet tangy lemon glaze.
Paleo Chicken Recipe Ingredients
I’ve substituted all the not-so-healthy ingredients for cleaner items such as honey and coconut flour, so they easily fit into a gluten-free and paleo diet. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – You can use another cut of chicken. However, chicken breast is the easiest to prepare and you don’t have to worry about bones.
- Coconut Aminos – A salty sauce with a buttery finish. This is used to replace soy sauce.
- Dry Sherry – You can make this without sherry but it will take away from the flavor of the dish. Just add an equal portion of broth.
- ArrowRoot Powder – This is used for thickening and can be replaced with cornstarch (equal parts) for a non-paleo version.
- Coconut Flour – Naturally gluten-free flour!
- Honey – Unprocessed natural sugar.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – This is to add the lemon flavor to the glaze.
- Fresh Grated Ginger – For a little bit of bite.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste!
- Oil – This is for frying.
In the recipe card below I also mentioned what I substituted each ingredient for so that if you’re feeling like a rebel this January, you can make the traditional less-healthy version as well.
Whatever makes you happy. *wink*
How To Make Lemon Chicken
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss with coconut aminos, sherry, and 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder. Set aside.
- In a skillet mix the honey, lemon juice, grated ginger, 2 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, and 2 pinches salt. Whisk well.
- Set the skillet over medium heat and bring to a simmer to thicken. Once the mixture has slightly thickened and is bubbly. Remove from heat to cool.
See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make This Lemon Paleo Chicken Recipe. Enjoy!
Frying The Paleo Chicken
- Set a large skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan 1/2 inch deep. Place a paper towel lined plate close to the skillet for the fried chicken.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining arrowroot powder (approximately 1/3 cup) with the coconut flour. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, and toss to mix.
- Once the oil is hot, dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture and shake off the excess. Carefully lower half the chicken pieces into the skillet. Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Then flip each strip with long tongs and fry another 1-2 minutes. Move the chicken to the plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- To serve: Place the chicken on a platter and drizzle the warm lemon glaze over the top. Serve immediately!
Paleo Fried Chicken
Let’s be clear, this paleo lemon chicken recipe is still fried chicken. Fried in oil.
However, the oils and all other ingredients incorporated are easier for your body to digest than the classic ingredients.
This is a great recipe to add to your menu when you need something to satisfy a strong fried food craving. Maybe not every day, but here and there.
Side Dishes
Our Lemon Chicken Recipe pairs well with paleo fried rice and mango napa cabbage salad for a big meal that is easy on the waistline, yet feels like a splurge!
Or you could keep it simple and just pair with white or brown rice (which is still gluten-free.) The lemon glaze is amazing with rice and brings so much flavor to it.
See? You can enjoy dinner parties in January, even if all your guests are toting food journals.
More Healthy “Fried” Foods!
- Paleo Cashew Chicken
- Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken
- Breaded Baked Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets (Gluten-Free!)
- Oven Fried Pickles
- Fried Rice from Healthy Nibbles
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4.96 stars (22 reviews)
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Lemon Paleo Chicken Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Lemon Paleo Chicken Recipe:Sofresh and crispy,you won’t even know it’s healthy! It’s easy to make,gluten free,dairy free, and nut free!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
US Customary - Metric
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size strips
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1/2 cup arrow root powder, divided (instead of cornstarch)
- 1/2 cup coconut flour (instead of all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- Salt and pepper
- Oil for frying (coconut, almond, avocado)
Instructions
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss with coconut aminos, sherry, and 2 tablespoons arrow root powder. Set aside.
In a skillet mix the honey, lemon juice, grated ginger, 2 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon arrow root powder, and 2 pinches salt. Whisk well. Set the skillet over medium heat and bring to a simmer to thicken. Once the mixture has slightly thickened and is bubbly. Remove from heatto cool.
Set a large skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan 1/2 inch deep. Place a paper towel lined plate close to the skillet for the fried chicken. In a small bowl, mix the remaining arrow root powder (approximately 1/3 cup) with the coconut flour. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, and toss to mix.
Once the oil is hot, dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture and shake off the excess. Carefully lower half the chicken pieces into the skillet. Fry for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Then flip each strip with long tongs and fry another 1-2 minutes. Move the chicken to the plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
To serve: Place the chicken on a platter and drizzle the warm lemon glaze over the top. Serve immediately!
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 262kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 223mg, Potassium: 305mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.7mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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54 comments on “Lemon Paleo Chicken Recipe”
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Carrie — Reply
Made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious! It was a bit too sweet for us so next time I’ll leave the sauce on the side. Still, it was so yummy.
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Tina — Reply
Any success in the oven? I am trying to eliminate grease splatters from frying in the skillet… I’m going to try this in the oven and see how it works out! The sauce looks amazing too!
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katerina @ diethood.com — Reply
This was incredibly delicious! Everyone loved it!
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Allyson Zea — Reply
Holy moly! This was better than takeout!
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Jen — Reply
Thank you for doing all of the work to adapting this recipe so we can all enjoy it! You’re so right about this time of year being tough about sticking to be healthier. Adding this to my dinner menu for this week.
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Leslie — Reply
I was wondering if there was a way to do this in the oven without frying it in oil?
It may not be quite as crispy, but still taste good…I think I’ll experiment, unless you have any suggestions.
Thanks, I can’t wait to try it!-
Sommer Collier — Reply
Hi Leslie,
I haven’t tried this recipe in the oven, so I can’t say for sure. If you give it a try, please report back! :)
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Martine — Reply
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It is the best AIP recipe I have made so far.
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Amy — Reply
This was fantastic. Our favorite meal we have made yet in 2020!
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Sarah — Reply
I loved the flavors, and this recipe was surprisingly simple (!), but my breading wasn’t very crispy. It was kind of soggy. 2/3 kids ate it anyway and enjoyed it, so I’ll call that a win, but I think my oil might’ve been too hot? I’ve never made fried chicken before so I’m not sure what I did wrong.
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Alex — Reply
This was amazing. Normally my family wouldn’t be to keen on something like this and it would fail. But this was amazing and turned out to be super easy to make😁 the whole family enjoyed it! Will definitely make again!
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Rewari Haryana — Reply
This is fantastic! I made it exactly as is, and it’s very, very good.
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Gigi — Reply
I’m not a strict paleo girl however have been plugging in some paleo recipes for nutrition and to experiment to see what I like. This was delicious, not missing a thing from a traditional Chinese lemon chicken dish. I did enjoy it with some steamed rice, and the lemon sauce was fantastic…so good I dropped a big tablespoon on my rice & in my hot jasmine tea I had to go along with this dinner. Thank you so much & cant wait to try all of your amazing recipes!
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Lisa — Reply
Thank you SO much for this delicious dish! I served this with your Napa Cabbage salad tonight for dinner (which was also AMAZING!) My husband and daughter are humming while eating it which means it’s YUMMO!
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Jenn — Reply
Just found out I had a wheat allergy. This recipe was awesome and the fried chicken was some of the best I have ever had! Thank you so much for sharing. The wheat free life just got a heck of a lot brighter!
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Annsley — Reply
Do you think you can make this with boneless chicken thighs?
Also, do u think a coconut flour sub for arrowroot? Can’t do any grains, so no corn.
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Sommer Collier — Reply
Hi Annsley!
You can definitely use chicken thighs. Coconut flour should work as well. I would start with about half the amount, as coconut flour is very absorbent. :)
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Stephanie G — Reply
This recipe was phenomenal!!! Best fried chicken I’ve ever had and I feel so healthy eating it! Good job! Highly recommend it!
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jenny — Reply
I think I just drool alittle looking at this recipe!
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Ava — Reply
Can I make the recipe with almond flour instead of arrowroot powder?
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Sommer — Reply
Hi Ava,
The arrowroot takes is added for thickening. The best substitution is cornstarch in equal portion. :)
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Christin — Reply
Can I make this without the sherry? It looks awesome!
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Sommer — Reply
Hi Christin,
Yes you can, but it will take away from the flavor a bit. Just add an equal portion of broth.
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Christy Gabel — Reply
I just wanted to tell you that this is hands-down my favorite recipe to make. LOVE IT — even without the lemon sauce, this chicken is awesome.
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Sommer — Reply
Awe thanks, Christy! You just made my day. :)
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Callie —
This was SO good! My kids, even my pickiest, had seconds. Next time I’ll combine the arrowroot with water before putting it in the skillet with the honey-lemon mixture to prevent clumps. Otherwise, it was absolutely perfect.
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Pingback: Paleo Diet Lemon Chicken Recipe | My Good Health lost
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Jessica Mcneil — Reply
I really love your recipes of a tasty gluten free food! My diet with your website is not so hard:) This honey chicken is really amazing. Thanks a lot!
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Gaby Dalkin — Reply
love the healthy revamp! great idea!
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Heather Christo — Reply
OMG- I am so excite dot try this Sommer!! This is exactly what we eat in our house!
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sue|theviewfromgreatisland — Reply
I could eat this ALL day!
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naomi — Reply
This looks so good, I love that it’s paleo too.
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Maria — Reply
Looks like the perfect game day food for my boys!
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Martin @ The Why Chef — Reply
Ah that looks quality. Love fried chicken as well! If I’m having a chunky moment, are the substitute ingredients the same quantities? What would you say is the most important sub to keep things healthy?? Cheers!
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Sommer — Reply
Hi Martin! Yes, the substitutions are made in the same quantities in this particular recipe. As for what’s the most important swap for health, that might be based on what your goals are. If you just want the recipe to be gluten free, then only the flour substitution matters.
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Nadia@maisontravers — Reply
Sounds great! Will be a nice change from all the foie gras and duck, (I live in Dordogne), and yes you can have more than enough of foie gras.
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Fork on the Road — Reply
Looks great on it’s own, but I’m wondering if this might be easily adapted into Chinese Lemon Chicken by adding just a few spices (hot red peppers, Szechuan peppercorns, soy, black vinegar, garlic, Chinese five spice, etc.).
Thanks for posting.
-GK
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tina — Reply
Oh, wow! Thank you for this amazing recipe! I can’t believe how easy it is to make!
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Paulette Kuza — Reply
This came out perfect making it first time…my teenagers loved it! We threw it on some sticky white rice.
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