This Dragon Chicken recipe is a spicy and crispy Chinese dish made with chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Shallow-fried to perfection, it’s then coated with a tangy and sticky dragon sauce. Ready in under an hour, it’s a flavorful and easy dish that’s great served over rice or noodles. The perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch makes it a crowd-pleaser for any meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Spicy Chinese Chicken Marinade

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced into bite-sized cubes)

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon garlic ginger paste

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

• Walnut oil (for shallow frying)

Dragon Sauce

• ½ tablespoon walnut oil

• 1 small red onion (chopped)

• 2 teaspoons garlic ginger paste

• 1 red chili pepper (chopped)

• 1 green chili pepper (chopped)

• 3 tablespoons tomato ketchup

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• ¼ cup cashew nuts (optional)

• 3 green onions (sliced)

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, mix egg, garlic ginger paste, chili powder, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Add the chicken cubes and coat well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Shallow Fry the Chicken: Heat walnut oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken bit by bit, avoiding overcrowding. Cook until golden brown and crispy, then remove and drain on paper towels.

3. Make the Dragon Sauce: In the same pan, add walnut oil, red onion, garlic ginger paste, and chopped chilies. Stir-fry until the onions soften. Add ketchup, honey, sweet chili sauce, and soy sauce. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the crispy chicken to the pan with the sauce, stirring to coat. Cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.

5. Garnish and Serve: Top with cashew nuts and sliced green onions. Serve hot over rice or stir-fried veggies.

Nutrients

• Calories: 504 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 40g

• Protein: 55g

• Fat: 12g

• Saturated Fat: 2g

• Cholesterol: 226mg

• Sodium: 2066mg

• Potassium: 1248mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 18g

• Vitamin A: 1442 IU

• Vitamin C: 46mg

• Calcium: 57mg

• Iron: 3mg

The Bold Flavors of Dragon Chicken

Dragon Chicken is known for its striking balance of bold and vibrant flavors. The marinade and the dragon sauce both play essential roles in creating the dish’s signature taste. The marinade—consisting of garlic ginger paste, soy sauce, chili powder, and cornstarch—adds a layer of depth to the chicken. The use of cornstarch helps create that crispy coating once the chicken is fried, while the soy sauce and spices infuse the meat with umami flavor and heat.

The dragon sauce, which is the heart of this dish, brings together contrasting flavors that meld beautifully. The sweetness from honey and sweet chili sauce balances out the heat from fresh red and green chilies. Tomato ketchup adds a tangy richness, while soy sauce and garlic ginger paste contribute savory, aromatic undertones. This sauce coats the crispy chicken perfectly, turning it into a sticky, flavorful masterpiece.

Whether you’re a fan of spicy dishes or simply enjoy well-balanced meals, Dragon Chicken offers a tantalizing flavor experience. Its combination of heat, sweetness, and savory notes makes it a standout dish in Chinese cuisine.

The Cooking Technique: Shallow Frying for Crispiness

One of the most important aspects of Dragon Chicken is the crispy texture of the chicken. The key to achieving this crispy crunch is shallow frying. After marinating the chicken, the pieces are coated in cornstarch and then fried in walnut oil, which gives them a golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the interior moist and tender. Shallow frying in walnut oil also adds a subtle nuttiness to the dish, enhancing its overall flavor.

Shallow frying is a quick cooking technique that ensures the chicken cooks evenly without being overly greasy. It allows the chicken to form a crispy crust while still retaining its juiciness on the inside. This technique is ideal for this dish, as it not only enhances the texture but also ensures that each piece of chicken is perfectly golden brown and crisp.

The Versatility of Dragon Chicken

Dragon Chicken is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit various preferences and dietary restrictions. While the recipe as written calls for chicken breasts, you can easily swap the protein for other options such as chicken thighs, tofu, or even shrimp. The marinade and dragon sauce are highly adaptable, allowing you to adjust the level of spice or sweetness depending on your taste.

For those who prefer a milder version, simply reduce the amount of chili powder or omit the fresh chilies from the sauce. If you’re a fan of extra heat, you can add more chili peppers or even a dash of hot sauce to amplify the spice. The beauty of Dragon Chicken is its flexibility—you can make it as spicy or mild as you like while still maintaining the essential flavors that make it so delicious.

You can also customize the dish by adding vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas to the sauce. This not only adds nutritional value but also increases the dish’s variety, making it a more well-rounded meal. Serving Dragon Chicken over steamed rice or stir-fried noodles is a great way to round out the dish and create a complete meal.

Dragon Chicken as a Crowd-Pleaser

If you’re looking for a dish to impress a crowd, Dragon Chicken is the way to go. Its bold flavors and crispy texture make it a showstopper at any event, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a family meal, or a casual gathering. The combination of heat and sweetness appeals to a wide range of taste preferences, and the sticky sauce makes the dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Dragon Chicken also works well as part of a larger spread. It pairs beautifully with other Chinese-inspired dishes such as fried rice, lo mein, or vegetable spring rolls. This allows you to create a diverse and flavorful menu that will satisfy a variety of palates. Plus, the fact that it can be made in under an hour makes it a great option for last-minute entertaining.

The Nutritional Benefits of Dragon Chicken

Dragon Chicken not only delivers in terms of flavor, but it also provides a good amount of protein, making it a hearty and filling dish. With 55 grams of protein per serving, it’s a great option for those looking to increase their protein intake while still enjoying a delicious meal. The chicken is a lean source of protein, and when paired with a variety of vegetables or served over rice, it provides a well-rounded meal.

The dish is also relatively low in carbohydrates, with only 40 grams per serving. This makes it a suitable option for those following a lower-carb diet. The healthy fats in walnut oil add richness to the dish, and the cashews, if included, provide an additional source of healthy fats as well as fiber.

One thing to note is the sodium content, which is on the higher side due to the soy sauce and sweet chili sauce. If you’re concerned about sodium, you can opt for low-sodium soy sauce or adjust the amount of soy sauce used in the recipe.

Conclusion

Dragon Chicken is a perfect dish for anyone looking to enjoy the bold, complex flavors of Chinese cuisine in a quick and easy format. Its crispy, tender chicken, combined with the spicy and tangy dragon sauce, creates a flavorful experience that is sure to satisfy. Whether you’re preparing it for a casual dinner, a special occasion, or just because you’re craving something delicious, Dragon Chicken is the ideal choice.

With its balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch, Dragon Chicken has something for everyone. The flexibility of the recipe allows for endless customization, so you can tailor it to suit your tastes and dietary needs. In under an hour, you can prepare a meal that is not only flavorful but also visually stunning, making it a true crowd-pleaser. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal that is sure to leave everyone coming back for more.