Name: Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup chopped cilantro; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame; ½ tablespoon Holland chili (or cayenne peppers); 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 3 tablespoons light soy sauce; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon fine granulated sugar; 1 ½ pounds drumsticks; 4 slices gingers; 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine; Umami lemon dressing (as prepared above); 1 cup shredded English cucumbers; 1 cup shredded carrots; ½ cup thinly sliced onions

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Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken brings together tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a tangy, savory lemon sauce that’ll keep you coming back for more. The shredded chicken soaks up all the incredible flavors, while the crunchy cucumbers and carrots add a fresh bite that balances everything out. You’re going to love this recipe!

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Forget batter and frying, this isn’t a crispy chicken Chinese takeout that you have to cook in batches; this is a super quick and beautifully soft shredded chicken bursting with flavor that has become my family’s new obsession. The real bonus is that it’s healthier than fried chicken, and everyone will love it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Top-down view of ingredients for shredded Chinese lemon chicken surrounding a bowl of chicken drumsticks, including cilantro, sesame oil, ginger, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili, garlic, salt, and vegetables. — Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

You’ll find making this recipe simple if you follow my easy steps.

Cook the Chicken

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil—make sure there’s enough water to fully submerge the chicken drumsticks. Add the drumsticks, sliced ginger, and Shaoxing wine to the boiling water.

Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken with raw drumsticks and ginger slices sit in a white pot on a wooden surface. — Boil the water and submerge the chicken drumsticks with ginger and wine.

A pot with a glass lid reveals shredded Chinese lemon chicken inside, resting on a wooden surface. — Cook for 10 minutes.

Let them cook for about 10 minutes. You want to make sure the chicken is fully cooked and tender, so check that the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.

Make the Sauce

While the chicken is cooking, grab a mixing bowl and combine the chopped cilantro, minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, Holland chili, and sesame oil.

A bowl of tabbouleh salad featuring chopped parsley and tomatoes sits on a rustic wooden surface, perfectly complementing a dish of shredded Chinese lemon chicken for a delightful culinary pairing. — Combine the chopped cilantro, minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, Holland chili, and sesame oil in a bowl.

A bowl of mixed herbs and spices rests on a wooden surface, reminiscent of the savory zest found in Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken. — Add the light soy sauce, lemon juice, oyster sauce, lemon zest, salt, and sugar, then stir.

Add the light soy sauce, lemon juice, oyster sauce, lemon zest, salt, and sugar. Stir everything together until the sauce is well-mixed.

Set it aside, as you’ll be using it to dress the chicken and vegetables later.

Cool and Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer the drumsticks to a bowl of cold water to cool down. This helps lock in the moisture and makes the chicken easier to handle.

A bowl of raw chicken pieces in ice water rests on a rustic wooden surface, primed for transformation into shredded Chinese lemon chicken. — Transfer the drumsticks to a bowl of cold water to cool down.

Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken gracefully rests in a clear glass bowl on a light wooden surface, offering a tantalizing twist to the classic dish. — Shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

When the chicken has cooled, remove the skin if you prefer, and use your hands or a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Prepare the Vegetables

While the chicken is cooling, it’s a good time to prepare the vegetables. Wash and shred the cucumber and carrot using a grater, julienne peeler, or a sharp knife.

Three glass bowls rest on a wooden surface, each filled with vibrant ingredients: shredded white onions, green zucchini, and orange carrots. Perfect for pairing with shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken to create an appealing and delicious dish. — Wash and shred the cucumber and carrot and slice the onion.

Then, peel and thinly slice the onion into fine pieces. This will ensure that the vegetables blend well with the shredded chicken for a balanced bite.

Assemble the Dish

On a large serving plate, arrange the shredded chicken in a neat, ribbon-like shape. Fill in the empty spaces on the plate with the shredded cucumber, carrot, and sliced onion.

Drizzle the lemon sauce you prepared earlier over the chicken and vegetables, making sure to cover everything evenly for maximum flavor.

A plate of sliced chicken, carrots, and cucumbers garnished with lemon and cilantro evokes the flavors of Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken. The setting features a sprinkle of sesame seeds, fresh chilies, vibrant herbs, and zesty lemons on a light surface. — Arrange the shredded chicken in a neat, ribbon-like shape with the cucumber, carrot, and onion.

A vibrant salad featuring Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken, complemented by sliced onions, carrots, cucumber, and chili peppers. Lemon slices add zest while herbs provide a fresh garnish. It's all beautifully arranged on a wooden table surrounded by an array of ingredients. — Drizzle the lemon sauce you prepared earlier over the chicken and vegetables.

Toss and Garnish

Just before serving, gently toss everything together so that the chicken and vegetables are well-coated in the sauce.

For a finishing touch, sprinkle extra cilantro and roasted sesame seeds over the top. This will add a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor that makes the dish even more appealing.

Grab your chopsticks, tuck in an enjoy!

A bowl of shredded Chinese lemon chicken salad with carrots, cucumber, and herbs, garnished with a lemon wedge. Surrounded by cilantro, red chilies, and cutlery on a light-colored surface. — Toss everything together and garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are my top tips to help you make the best Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken.

Cook the Chicken Properly: Make sure the drumsticks are cooked all the way through. Ten minutes in boiling water should be enough if fully submerged.
Cool the Chicken: Transferring the chicken to cold water helps lock in the moisture and makes it easier to shred.
Freshness Matters: Prep the vegetables just before serving to keep them crunchy and fresh.
Taste the Sauce: Give the sauce a quick taste before pouring it over the chicken. Adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed for that perfect balance.
Combine Well: Stir the sauce ingredients thoroughly to make sure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Toss Before Serving: Don’t toss the chicken and veggies in the sauce until right before serving to keep everything at its freshest.

How to Store Leftover Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken

Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This dish isn’t ideal for freezing, as the veggies can lose their crisp texture, and the sauce’s flavor may change when thawed.

A plate of vibrant salad with shredded carrots, cucumber, Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken, orange slices, and herbs. — Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Chicken Recipes for You to Try at Home

If you like cooking Asian food as much as I do, then you should try these chicken meals.

Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken

When I’m hosting a family dinner or casual get-together, this Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken is my go-to. It’s fresh, flavorful, and easy to toss together, plus I can prep most of it ahead. It’s always a hit, and since it’s great cold or room temp, I never have to stress about last-minute timing.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 25

Course: Dinner Party, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken

Servings:

Calories: 262kcal

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon toasted sesame
½ tablespoon Holland chili or cayenne peppers
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 teaspoons lemon zest
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fine granulated sugar

For the Cold Salad:

1 ½ pounds drumsticks
4 slices gingers
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
Umami lemon dressing as prepared above
1 cup shredded English cucumbers
1 cup shredded carrots
½ cup thinly sliced onions

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Bring a pot of water to a boil, ensuring there’s enough water to fully submerge the chicken drumsticks. Add the drumsticks along with the sliced ginger and Shaoxing wine. Let the chicken cook for around 10 minutes, making sure it’s cooked through and tender.
1 ½ pounds drumsticks, 4 slices gingers, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cilantro, minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, Holland chili, and sesame oil.
¼ cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame, ½ tablespoon Holland chili, 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Add in the light soy sauce, lemon juice, oyster sauce, lemon zest, salt, and sugar. Mix everything together until the sauce is well combined, and set it aside for later use.
3 tablespoons light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon fine granulated sugar
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a bowl of cold water to cool. This will make it easier to handle and help keep the chicken tender.
Next, wash and shred the cucumber and carrot using a grater, julienne peeler, or knife. Peel the onion and slice it thinly.
1 cup shredded English cucumbers, 1 cup shredded carrots, ½ cup thinly sliced onions
After cooling, remove the skin if desired, and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces using your hands or a fork.
To assemble the dish, arrange the shredded chicken on a serving plate, creating a neat, ribbon-like pattern. Fill in the empty spaces with the shredded cucumber, carrot, and sliced onion. Drizzle the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, making sure everything is coated in the tangy flavors.
Umami lemon dressing
Just before serving, gently toss everything together to distribute the sauce evenly. Finish the dish with a garnish of extra cilantro and a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Notes

Cook the Chicken Properly: Make sure the drumsticks are cooked all the way through. Ten minutes in boiling water should be enough if fully submerged.
Cool the Chicken: Transferring the chicken to cold water helps lock in the moisture and makes it easier to shred.
Freshness Matters: Prep the vegetables just before serving to keep them crunchy and fresh.
Taste the Sauce: Give the sauce a quick taste before pouring it over the chicken. Adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed for that perfect balance.
Combine Well: Stir the sauce ingredients thoroughly to make sure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Toss Before Serving: Don’t toss the chicken and veggies in the sauce until right before serving to keep everything at its freshest.

Nutrition

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Shredded Chinese Lemon Chicken

Ingredients You’ll Need