A bold statement: I will never buy lemon chicken in again. It is one of my favourite treat meals, but often I avoid it because of all the sugar, added chemicals and unknown levels of salt and oil being used – better sometimes to err on the side of caution.

The other week I had an absolute craving for some sticky lemon chicken, but since I’d had a big dinner out with friends I couldn’t justify the extra ‘treat’. Summer is just round the corner and I’ve got a last few pounds to shed – you’ve just got to be strict sometimes and reap the benefits later!

But….I couldn’t shake the craving. It was all I wanted to eat. So, I went and figured out a way to make it at home – in a completely clean and healthy way. And wow, I was amazed at how well it did turn out; sticky, lemony, crunchy, perfect.

I’ll never need a takeaway again.

Serves 2

Sauce

• Juice of one large lemon
• 2 x tbs soy
• 2 x tbs agave syrup
• 1 x tsp salt
• 1/2 x tsp cornstarch

Meat

• 400g x turkey or chicken, chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 2 x tsp cornstarch

Vegetables

• Your choice – I used green beans!

Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl, leaving the cornstarch to the side for now.

In another bowl, toss the meat with 2 tsp cornstarch. Make sure it’s well covered. This will give you a slight crunch “batter” without anything naughty!

Using a wok on a medium heat, add the meat, turning until cooked through and the edges are going brown. (about 12 minutes)

After you’ve seared all the meat, add the vegetables, and cook together for the remaining time.

Once the meat is nearly ready, mix the 1/2 tsp cornstarch into the sauce mixture, making sure it is dissolved.

Add this sauce to a small saucepan, and on a high heat bring to the boil, stirring constantly.

As the sauce thickens, keep stirring. When you have a medium consistency, quickly take off the heat and pour over the chicken and vegetables. Toss everything together for 30 seconds.

Serve! You just made the best clean fakeaway. Well done us.