Fiery Dragon Chicken Recipe with Bold, Simple Flavors

Culinary adventurers crave this spicy dragon chicken recipe that electrifies taste buds with bold Asian-inspired flavors.

Sauces packed with complex heat surge through tender meat, creating an explosion of sensations.

Several regional spices contribute unique depth to each succulent bite.

Passionate home cooks understand the magic of perfectly balanced marinades that surprise and delight.

Intense aromatics like ginger and garlic dance alongside fiery chili peppers, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Restaurants cannot match the homemade intensity of this remarkable dish.

You will absolutely want to gather ingredients and start cooking right now.

Reasons to Crave Dragon Chicken

• Dragon Chicken's Irresistible Appeal
• Prepare this mouth-watering dish in just 45 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous culinary adventures.
• Packed with bold, tangy ingredients like soy sauce, chili powder, and vinegar, this recipe delivers an incredible taste experience that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Adaptable to different spice levels and easily served with rice or noodles, making it a hit for family meals, game nights, or casual gatherings with friends.
• Simple step-by-step instructions ensure even novice cooks can confidently create a restaurant-quality meal without complicated cooking skills.

All the Essentials for Dragon Chicken

• Chicken: Tender meat for the main protein, boneless and skinless pieces work best for even cooking and better texture.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Rich flavoring agents that tenderize and add depth to the chicken.
• Corn Flour: Helps create a crispy exterior and binds the marinade.
• Chili Powder, Salt: Provides heat and enhances overall seasoning.

• Ginger, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds complex flavor profile.
• Chili Sauce, Ketchup: Provides sweet and spicy sauce character.
• Sugar or Honey: Balances heat and adds glossy finish to the sauce.
• Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to the sauce.

• Spring Onions: Fresh herb that adds color and mild onion flavor.
• Dried Red Chilies: Optional extra heat component for spice lovers.

Cooking Steps for Dragon Chicken

Step 1: Tenderize Chicken Pieces

• Chicken
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Chili powder
• Corn flour
• Salt
• Water

Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring chicken is completely coated. Allow mixture to rest and absorb flavors for half an hour, which helps develop deep taste profiles.

Step 2: Create Crispy Exterior

Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or wok. Heat oil until shimmering. Carefully slide marinated chicken pieces into hot oil. Cook until exterior turns golden brown and develops a crunchy texture. Remove chicken and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Develop Robust Sauce

• Minced ginger
• Crushed garlic

• Soy sauce
• Chili sauce
• Ketchup
• Sugar
• Vinegar

Stir continuously and allow sauce to thicken and become glossy.

Step 4: Combine Flavors

Return crispy chicken to sauce. Gently toss until every piece is thoroughly coated. Optional: Add dried red chilies for extra heat.

Step 5: Plate With Flair

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions across dish. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy your spicy, tantalizing Dragon Chicken!

Helpful Pointers for Dragon Chicken Success

• Marinate Perfectly: Ensure chicken pieces are evenly coated with marinade by massaging ingredients thoroughly, allowing each chunk to absorb maximum flavor.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and sauce quantities to match personal heat preference, creating a customized taste experience.
• Achieve Crispy Texture: Maintain consistent oil temperature while frying to get golden, crunchy chicken without burning or becoming greasy.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Stir sauce ingredients continuously to prevent burning and create a smooth, glossy coating that clings perfectly to chicken pieces.
• Elevate Presentation: Sprinkle freshly chopped spring onions just before serving to add vibrant color and a subtle onion crunch that enhances overall dish appeal.

Storing and Warming Up Dragon Chicken

• Store leftover Dragon Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain optimal taste and food safety.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and restore sauce's moisture.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Freeze Dragon Chicken in sealed freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Best Pairings with Dragon Chicken

• Select a crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer that balances the dish's spicy and sweet notes, cutting through the richness of the fried chicken.
• Create a refreshing side dish with sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to counteract the dragon chicken's intense heat and provide a cooling contrast.
• Serve fluffy, fragrant jasmine rice as the perfect neutral base to soak up the flavorful sauce, helping to moderate the spiciness while enhancing the overall meal experience.
• Choose a light lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which offers a clean, crisp finish that helps cleanse the palate between spicy bites of the dragon chicken.

Fun Variations for Dragon Chicken

• Gluten-Free Dragon Chicken: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, use cornstarch-coated chicken, and ensure all sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Swap chicken with firm tofu or seitan, marinate using same spices, and pan-fry until crispy golden brown.
• Low-Carb Spicy Version: Skip corn flour, use almond flour for coating, reduce sugar content, and add extra chili for intense flavor profile.
• Air Fryer Healthier Alternative: Cook marinated chicken pieces in air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, spray with minimal oil, and toss with sauce for reduced fat content.

Dragon Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy dragon chicken recipe brings fiery flavors from Chinese cuisine straight to your kitchen. Crispy, tangy chicken pieces with bold chili sauce create an irresistible meal sure to excite your taste buds and satisfy hunger pangs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 500 g (17.6 oz) boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 23 dried red chilies (optional, for extra heat)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (red or green)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

Marinade and Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil (for frying)
• 1 tablespoon oil (for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon red chili sauce or sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Massage chicken pieces with a blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili powder, corn flour, and salt, ensuring each morsel is evenly coated. Allow the proteins to absorb the marinade’s rich flavors for approximately half an hour, creating a deeply seasoned foundation.
2. Warm oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or wok, maintaining a medium temperature. Gently lower marinated chicken fragments into the sizzling oil, transforming them into golden, crisp morsels with a delectable exterior crunch.
3. Reuse the same cooking vessel, adding minimal additional oil. Sauté minced ginger and garlic until their aromatic essence permeates the kitchen, releasing complex fragrance notes.
4. Incorporate soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, sweetener, and vinegar into the pan. Whisk the liquid ingredients, allowing them to meld and reduce, creating a glossy, concentrated sauce with robust flavor profiles.
5. Reintroduce the crispy chicken pieces into the bubbling sauce, executing a thorough toss to ensure comprehensive coating. Optional: Introduce dried red chilies for an extra layer of fiery intensity.
6. Transfer the glistening chicken to a serving platter, adorning with freshly sliced spring onions, which provide a vibrant, verdant contrast to the rich, deep-hued sauce.
7. Present alongside steamed rice or noodles, inviting diners to experience the dynamic, multilayered taste sensation of this Dragon Chicken creation.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and sauces for personal heat preference.
• Replace cornflour with gluten-free alternatives like arrowroot or rice flour for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Enhance chicken tenderness by marinating longer, ideally 1-2 hours in refrigerator for deeper flavor absorption.
• Create a healthier version by baking chicken instead of deep-frying, using minimal oil and placing on parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg