20-Minute Pan-Fried Lemon Garlic Chicken - Tiffy Cooks (2024)

This Lemon Garlic Chicken is a healthy and refreshing chicken dish for hot days that takes only 20 minutes! Inspired by Malaysia’s spicy lemon chicken, this recipe is a pan-fried version of the popular dish. This tart, savory chicken reminds me so much of my travels, and I keep making this for a quick lunchbox addition or dinner again and again!

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My Quick Version of Malaysian Spicy Lemon Chicken

I first tried Malaysian Spicy Lemon Chicken on my trip with my husband around Southeast Asia. A popular dish in Malaysia, you can often find this dish in hawker centers. Traditionally, the chicken is battered and fried before cooking with lemon and spices. It’s tart, savory, and so refreshing, especially in the heat.

I found myself really craving this garlicky, lemony flavor one day, but had only 20 minutes to cook and eat. So, I decided to pan fry the chicken instead of deep frying it to save some time. It turned out so well, I’ve kept making this version since. It uses less oil, and is easy in a pinch.

Seasoned with garlic, red onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, cornstarch, black pepper, and of course, LEMON, this chicken is great with rice, or on it’s own as a snack!

Deboned Chicken Thigh for Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken Ingredients

• 6 Chicken Thighs, skin on (optional), boneless, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
• 2.5 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Black pepper to season
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 10-15 cloves of garlic, chopped
• Handful of cilantro, chopped

1. Marinate chicken with soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, black pepper, and cornstarch. Set it aside for at least 5 minutes or when you prepare all the ingredients.
2. In a pan, drizzle in oil, and turn the heat to medium-high. Pan fry the chicken for 6-7 minutes or chicken the chicken is slightly brown.
3. Next, add in sliced onion and garlic, saute for 2-3 minutes or until onion has soften and become fragrant
4. Turn the heat to high, and Finish off by adding in sliced lemon, and chopped cilantro, saute on high heat for 1 minute.

Want more travel-inspired flavors? Check out a few more Southeast Asia inspired dishes you can make at home: