Chinese Take-Out Lemon Chicken

While I was growing up, our family had a Sunday tradition. Each Sunday after Church, we would go out to eat at China Bowl. I always felt guilty about so blatantly breaking the Sabbath, but my parents assured me that the people who ran the restaurant didn't believe in the Sabbath so it was OK.

We always ordered the same things: Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef with Broccoli, Ham Fried Rice, and Lemon Chicken. I loved the lemon chicken. Its sauce was sweet enough to be a pie filling, yet so warm and gooey and delicious.

I've never been able to find that exact same taste, but this recipe comes close--in fact, I think it's better. It's China Bowl's lemon chicken without the breaded chicken breast and with some veggies added for good measure.

My family stopped the Sunday China Bowl tradition many years ago now, but we still do get take out during the Priesthood session of General Conference. So, between my semi-annual tastings of the original China Bowl lemon chicken, this Kraft Food and Family recipe does well to substitute for the gooey, warm, sweet flavor. (And it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare!)

Chinese Take-Out Lemon Chicken

1 Tbsp. oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 pkg. (6 oz.) snow peas (about 2 cups), trimmed

1 small red pepper, cut into strips

1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Gelatin

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 Tbsp. KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

2 cloves garlic, minced

HEAT oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Add snow peas and peppers; cook and stir 2 min.

MIX dry gelatin mix and cornstarch in small bowl. Add broth, dressing and garlic; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium; cook 3 min. or until sauce is thickened, stirring frequently.

Lindsay's notes:

1. I use frozen pepper strips instead of cutting up a pepper. It's a great shortcut especially if your family shies away from a lot of peppers.
2. Have you tried the new Kingsford Corn Starch package that allows you to just scoop it out with a spoon? It's a fabulous new packaging for messy corn starch.
3. I use the store brand Zesty Italian and it works just fine.
4. Use the minced garlic in the jar. It saves time and stinkiness.