Dragon Chicken is a spicy, crispy, Indo-Chinese-style dish that I love for its bold flavors and fiery attitude. Tender strips of chicken are coated, fried until golden, then tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce that clings to every bite. It’s one of those dishes that brings the heat, the crunch, and the crave-worthy flavor all in one skillet. Whether I serve it with fried rice, noodles, or just eat it on its own — it always hits the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love Dragon Chicken because it’s the perfect mix of crispy and saucy, spicy and sweet. The dish delivers restaurant-style flavor at home with simple pantry ingredients and a few basic steps. It’s easy to adjust the spice level, and once I master the sauce, I find myself reaching for it whenever I want to elevate basic chicken into something bold and unforgettable.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into thin strips
- Cornstarch
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Salt and pepper
- Oil (for shallow frying)
For the sauce:
- Garlic, finely chopped
- Ginger, finely chopped
- Red chili flakes or fresh chopped chilies
- Soy sauce
- Tomato ketchup
- Red chili sauce (like Sriracha or Schezwan)
- Sugar or honey
- Vinegar
- Water (to adjust consistency)
- Spring onions and red bell peppers (sliced, optional for texture and color)
Directions
- I mix the chicken with cornstarch, flour, egg, salt, and pepper until coated well.
- I heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy, then set it aside on paper towels.
- In a separate pan or wok, I sauté garlic, ginger, and chili flakes until fragrant.
- I add the sliced bell peppers and cook briefly to keep them crisp.
- I stir in soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, sugar, and vinegar, then add a splash of water to create a thick, glossy sauce.
- I toss in the fried chicken and coat it well in the sauce, letting it simmer for a minute to soak up all the flavors.
- I garnish with spring onions and serve hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 3–4 and takes about 35–40 minutes total — 15 minutes of prep and around 20–25 minutes of cooking.
Variations
Sometimes I skip the flour and use only cornstarch for a lighter, crispier texture. If I want it extra spicy, I add fresh chopped chilies or a spoonful of hot chili oil. For a saucier version, I double the sauce and toss the chicken just before serving so it stays crispy on the outside.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, I use a skillet to maintain some crispiness, or microwave if I’m short on time — though the coating will soften. I don’t recommend freezing, as the texture changes significantly.
FAQs
Is Dragon Chicken very spicy?
It’s meant to have a kick, but I control the spice by adjusting the chili sauce and flakes. I’ve made it mild for kids and fiery for spice lovers.
Can I bake or air fry the chicken instead?
Yes, I’ve baked or air fried the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) until crispy, then tossed it in the sauce. It’s a bit lighter but still delicious.
What’s the best chicken cut to use?
I like boneless thighs for juiciness, but breasts work well too — especially if I slice them thinly and don’t overcook.
Can I use store-bought sauces?
Yes, I often use Sriracha or Schezwan sauce for heat and bottled soy and ketchup for ease. Just taste and adjust as I go.
What do I serve it with?
I love serving it with fried rice, noodles, or even plain steamed rice. It also works great as an appetizer on its own.
Conclusion
Dragon Chicken is a fiery, flavorful dish that brings crispy chicken and bold sauce together in one irresistible combo. I love how easy it is to make at home with ingredients I already have, and how impressive it looks and tastes every time. Whether I’m craving something spicy or planning a special dinner, this dish always brings the heat — and the wow factor.
Print
Dragon Chicken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
- Diet: Halal
Description
Dragon Chicken is a fiery Indo-Chinese dish featuring crispy fried chicken strips tossed in a bold, sweet-spicy sauce. Perfect with rice or noodles, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings heat, crunch, and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 500g boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for shallow frying
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes or 1 fresh red chili, chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon red chili sauce (Sriracha or Schezwan)
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix chicken strips with cornstarch, flour, egg, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, heat a little oil and sauté garlic, ginger, and chili flakes until fragrant.
- Add sliced bell pepper and cook briefly to retain crispness.
- Stir in soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, sugar, and vinegar. Add water to adjust consistency and simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Simmer for a minute.
- Garnish with spring onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Use only cornstarch for a lighter, crispier coating.
- Increase chili or add chili oil for extra spice.
- Double the sauce if you prefer a saucier dish.
- Air fry or bake the chicken for a healthier version.
- Best served immediately to preserve crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
