Dragon Chicken Recipe

Sizzling, fiery, and irresistibly crispy – the Dragon Chicken Recipe delivers an explosion of Indo-Chinese flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This beloved fusion dish combines tender chicken strips coated in a vibrant, spicy-sweet sauce that perfectly balances heat and tanginess. The signature crispy texture contrasted with the glossy, flavor-packed sauce makes this Dragon Chicken a showstopper at dinner tables and restaurants alike. You’ll learn how to create restaurant-quality Dragon Chicken at home with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques that guarantee perfect results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Dragon Chicken Recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds. The contrast between the crispy exterior of the fried chicken and the glossy, vibrant sauce creates a textural masterpiece that’s deeply satisfying with each bite. The flavor profile hits all the right notes – spicy, sweet, tangy, and savory – creating a perfectly balanced dish.

What makes this recipe truly special is its adaptability. You can easily adjust the heat level to suit your preference, making it family-friendly or fiery hot for spice enthusiasts. The visual impact is equally impressive, with the bright red sauce coating the golden chicken pieces, garnished with vibrant green scallions and sesame seeds.

Even better, this Dragon Chicken comes together quickly once you’ve prepared the ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you crave something exciting but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The techniques are straightforward, requiring no special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients – just pure, bold flavors that will transport you straight to your favorite Indo-Chinese restaurant.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1.5 lbs (700g) boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the Dragon Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2-3 green chilies, sliced diagonally
• 1 medium red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons red chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water or chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water)

For Garnish:

• 3 green scallions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Fresh red chilies (optional)

Pro Tips

Creating perfect spicy Dragon Chicken is all about technique and timing. First, slice your chicken against the grain into thin, even strips – this ensures quick, even cooking and maximum tenderness. The thickness should be consistent (about 1/4 inch) so all pieces cook at the same rate, preventing some from becoming dry while others remain undercooked.

The secret to achieving that signature crispy coating lies in the double-fry method. After the first fry, let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes, then fry again at a slightly higher temperature. This technique creates an extra-crispy exterior that stands up to the sauce without becoming soggy. For best results, fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and prevent the pieces from sticking together.

When preparing the dragon sauce, remember that timing is crucial. Have all ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking (mise en place). The sauce comes together quickly, and you’ll need to add ingredients in rapid succession. For the perfect sauce consistency, add the cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring continuously. This prevents lumps and allows you to control exactly how thick your sauce becomes – aim for a glossy sauce that coats the back of a spoon but isn’t too thick.

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

Combine chicken strips, soy sauce, ginger-garlic paste, white pepper, and the beaten egg in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Let this mixture sit for at least 15 minutes. Just before frying, add cornstarch and all-purpose flour to the marinated chicken and mix well to create a light batter coating.

Prepare for Frying

Heat oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F (175°C). You’ll need enough oil to submerge the chicken pieces. Test if the oil is ready by dropping a small amount of batter – it should sizzle immediately and rise to the surface.

Fry the Chicken

Carefully add the chicken strips to the hot oil in small batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. For extra crispiness, allow the chicken to rest for 2-3 minutes, then briefly refry for 30 seconds.

Prepare the Dragon Sauce

In a separate wok or large pan, heat 3 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the green chilies, bell peppers, and onions, stir-frying for 2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.

Create the Sauce Base

Pour in the soy sauce, red chili sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, and sugar. Stir to combine and let it bubble for 1 minute. Add water or chicken stock and bring to a simmer. While stirring continuously, add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce until it reaches a glossy consistency.

Combine and Finish

Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce, tossing quickly to coat each piece evenly while maintaining the crispy texture. Cook for just 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld without softening the chicken too much.

Garnish and Serve

Transfer the Dragon Chicken to a serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh red chilies if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy, alongside steamed rice or noodles.

Variations

Vegetarian Dragon Delight
Transform this Dragon Chicken Recipe into a vegetarian masterpiece by substituting the chicken with firm tofu or paneer. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes, press out excess moisture, and follow the same coating and frying method. For added texture and flavor, you can also include cauliflower florets, mushrooms, or even crispy fried lotus root. The sauce works perfectly with these alternatives, creating an equally impressive vegetarian feast.

Seafood Dragon Special
For seafood lovers, create a Dragon Shrimp or Dragon Fish variation. Use jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined) or firm white fish cut into chunks. The cooking time will be shorter – shrimp need only 2-3 minutes of frying, while fish requires about 3-4 minutes until golden. The marinade remains the same, but you might want to reduce the chili quantity slightly to allow the delicate seafood flavor to shine through.

Honey Dragon Chicken
For those who prefer a sweeter profile, create a Honey Dragon Chicken by adding 2 tablespoons of honey to the sauce. This creates a beautiful balance between sweet and spicy, similar to honey chili chicken but with the distinctive dragon sauce elements. Add a tablespoon of orange juice for a citrusy note that complements the honey beautifully.

Storage and Serving

The Dragon Chicken Recipe is best enjoyed immediately after cooking when the chicken is at its crispiest and the sauce is perfectly glossy. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, use a pan over medium heat rather than a microwave to help restore some of the crispness. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.

For an authentic Indo-Chinese experience, serve your Dragon Chicken with steamed jasmine rice or vegetable fried rice that can soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, pair with sides like hot and sour soup, vegetable spring rolls, or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar for a refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken.

For an impressive presentation, serve the Dragon Chicken on a large platter garnished with extra scallions, sesame seeds, and thin strips of fresh red chili. The vibrant colors make for a stunning centerpiece at family dinners or when entertaining guests. Provide extra sauce on the side for those who enjoy an additional flavor boost.

FAQs

What makes Dragon Chicken different from other Indo-Chinese dishes?
Dragon Chicken stands out for its perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tanginess, along with its distinctive crispy texture. Unlike Manchurian (which has a more umami-forward, soy-based sauce) or Chili Chicken (which focuses primarily on heat), Dragon Chicken features a complex sauce with multiple flavor dimensions and often incorporates bell peppers and onions for texture contrast.

Can I make Dragon Chicken less spicy for kids?
Absolutely! Simply reduce the amount of green chilies and red chili sauce by half. You can also substitute some of the chili sauce with additional tomato ketchup to maintain the vibrant color while reducing the heat. The result will still be flavorful but family-friendly.

Can I prepare any elements of this dish in advance?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance (stored in the refrigerator). You can also prepare the sauce ingredients and have them measured and ready to go. However, for the best texture, the chicken should be fried just before serving.

Is it necessary to deep-fry the chicken, or can I use another cooking method?
While deep-frying gives the authentic crispy texture that stands up to the sauce, you can alternatively air-fry the battered chicken pieces at 380°F (193°C) for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through. You could also oven-fry by spraying the chicken with oil and baking at 425°F (220°C) for 15-18 minutes, though the texture won’t be identical.

What’s the best way to adjust the thickness of the dragon sauce?
To thicken the sauce more, prepare additional cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water) and add it gradually while the sauce simmers. For a thinner sauce, simply add more water or stock, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Conclusion

This Dragon Chicken Recipe is comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of crispy, tender chicken enveloped in a sauce that dances between spicy, tangy, and sweet notes. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special occasion, bringing restaurant-quality Indo-Chinese flavors right to your dinner table. The vibrant colors and bold flavors make this Dragon Chicken an instant favorite, guaranteed to impress family and friends. Master this recipe, and you’ll have a signature dish that everyone will request time and again.

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