Name: Dragon Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Ingredients: 500g boneless chicken (breast or thighs), thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons cornflour; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 egg; Salt and pepper to taste; Oil for deep frying; 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste; 1 medium onion, sliced; 0.5 cup bell peppers (red and green), sliced; 2 to 3 dried red chilies; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon red chili sauce; 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup; 1 teaspoon vinegar; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon oil (for stir-frying); Spring onions, chopped (for garnish)

Fiery, crispy, and loaded with bold flavors, Dragon Chicken is a showstopper Indo-Chinese dish that deserves a spot on your dinner table. It’s a sensational blend of spicy red chili sauce, crispy fried chicken strips, and crunchy bell peppers, all tossed in a sticky-sweet glaze that packs a punch.

This takeout favorite is incredibly easy to make at home and comes together faster than delivery. Whether you’re planning a fun appetizer night or need a quick dinner fix, Dragon Chicken is your go-to for a flavor-packed feast.

What Cut of Chicken Works Best for Dragon Chicken?

Boneless chicken breast or thighs both work beautifully here. Chicken thighs give a slightly juicier bite, but breast meat crisps up nicely and holds onto the sauce better. Slice your chicken into thin strips to maximize crispness when fried.

Ingredients for the Dragon Chicken

500g boneless chicken (breast or thighs), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons cornflour
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil for deep frying
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 cup bell peppers (red and green), sliced
2 to 3 dried red chilies
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon red chili sauce
1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon oil (for stir-frying)
Spring onions, chopped (for garnish)

How To Make the Dragon Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Marinate the chicken strips with cornflour, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Fry Until Golden

Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chicken until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Veggies

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil and add ginger garlic paste. Sauté for a minute, then add onions, bell peppers, and dried red chilies. Cook until slightly softened.

Step 4: Add the Sauces

Pour in soy sauce, red chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and sugar. Stir everything together until it bubbles.

Step 5: Toss in the Chicken

Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss well so it gets evenly coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with chopped spring onions and serve hot!

How to Serve and Store Dragon Chicken

Dragon Chicken is best enjoyed hot and crispy right after it’s cooked. Serve it as an appetizer with toothpicks or pair it with fried rice or noodles for a full meal. For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or oven to retain some of the crispiness—avoid microwaving if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake it at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. It won’t be as crispy, but it will still taste great.

What vegetables can I add?

Feel free to include carrots, baby corn, or even broccoli—just keep the cuts small for quick stir-frying.

Is this dish very spicy?

It’s medium-spicy, but you can control the heat by adjusting the number of dried chilies and the chili sauce.

Can I make it ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce and marinate the chicken in advance, but for best results, fry the chicken and toss it fresh.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, swap out soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free flour and ketchup.

Want More Chicken Ideas with a Kick?

If you love Dragon Chicken, you’ll enjoy exploring these bold and comforting dishes:

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you never lose it.

And if you make this dish, drop a comment! Did you keep it fiery or tone down the heat? Maybe you threw in some pineapple or made it saucier?

I love seeing your twists and swaps. Share your photos and find more daily dinner ideas on Pinterest – Nina Dishes.

Dragon Chicken

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Crispy fried chicken strips tossed in a fiery, sweet-and-spicy sauce with crunchy bell peppers and chilies—Dragon Chicken is the ultimate Indo-Chinese appetizer or dinner dish.

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken strips with cornflour, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chicken until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

3. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil and add ginger garlic paste. Sauté for a minute, then add onions, bell peppers, and dried red chilies. Cook until slightly softened.

4. Pour in soy sauce, red chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and sugar. Stir everything together until it bubbles.

5. Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss well so it gets evenly coated with the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Top with chopped spring onions and serve hot!