Name: Stir Fry Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lemon (juiced and zested); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 3 tablespoons shaoxing rice wine; 3 cloves garlic (finely diced); 3 teaspoons ginger (finely diced); 2 pounds chicken breast; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 tablespoons peanut oil; 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Cooking lemon chicken in a wok over a campfire brings a rustic, flavorful twist to a classic dish. The high heat of an open flame and the versatile shape of the wok make it perfect for searing chicken quickly while locking in its juices.

To cook, first ensure your campfire has burned down to a hot bed of coals or has a stable flame that won’t scorch the food. Place the wok securely over the fire, using a grill grate or tripod stand. Add a high-smoke-point oil like peanut oil, and once it’s shimmering, toss in the marinated chicken.

Stir-fry quickly, keeping the chicken moving to prevent sticking and ensure even browning. The wok’s curved sides help concentrate the heat and allow you to toss ingredients easily, even over an unpredictable fire. The result is a bright, zesty meal with a lightly charred, smoky flavor that only outdoor cooking can provide.

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Pieces of chicken cooking in a wok over a campfire.

Once the wok is hot and the oil starts to smoke, add the chicken to cook.

Close up of stir fried lemon chicken served with rice on a blue camp plate.

The chicken is cooked until a light golden brown then served in a light coating of the rich lemon sauce.

Looking down on a blue camp plate with a serving of lemon chicken, steamed rice, and bok choy.

The lemon chicken can be served with your favorite Asian sides such as steamed rice, noodles, or stir fried vegetables.

Stir Fry Lemon Chicken Recipe

Saffron Hodgson

reviews

This quick and easy stir fried chicken is a tasty dish to cook in a wok over a fire.

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Preparation 15

Cook 20

Servings

CourseDinner

InfluenceAsian

DifficultySeasoned

MethodStir Fry

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Ingredients

Lemon Sauce

1 lemon juiced and zested
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons shaoxing rice wine
3 cloves garlic finely diced
3 teaspoons ginger finely diced

Stir Fry Chicken

2 pounds chicken breast
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

To Cook

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Equipment

1 small bowl
1 zip lock bag
1 wok

Directions

Lemon Sauce

In a small bowl, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, soy sauce, shoaxing rice wine, diced garlic, and diced ginger.
Whisk together until well combined, then put aside until needed.

Stir Fry Chicken

Cut the chicken into even small pieces suitable for stirfrying.
In the ziplock bag, add the corn starch and garlic, then shake to combine.
Slowly add the chicken, a few pieces at a time, shaking after each addition to make sure each piece is evenly covered with the seasoned corn starch.

To Cook

Over a hot fire or heat source, heat the wok until hot, then add the peanut and sesame oil.
When the oil starts to smoke, add the chicken immediately and continue to stir it while cooking until all sides are lightly browned.
Remove the wok from the heat and add the lemon sauce immediately while continuing to stir. Use the residual heat to cook the sauce as it coats the chicken.
Serve while hot with your favorite sides such as rice, noodles, and/or vegetables.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 424kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 50gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 769mgPotassium: 916mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg