Fiery Dragon Chicken Recipe: A Sizzling Far East Adventure

Succulent chicken pieces dance with fiery spices in this tantalizing dragon chicken recipe that promises an explosive flavor journey.

Bold Sichuan peppercorns and vibrant chili peppers create a mouthwatering symphony of heat and depth.

Each bite tells a story of culinary passion and daring taste combinations.

The recipe blends traditional Chinese cooking techniques with modern spice profiles.

Tender chicken absorbs complex marinades that ignite the palate with unrelenting intensity.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected seasonings transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this thrilling dish that brings the spirit of Sichuan cuisine right to your dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Dragon Chicken Ingredient Guide

• Chicken: Select boneless, tender cuts that absorb marinade beautifully and cook quickly with crispy exterior.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps tenderize meat during marination process.

• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and helps tenderize chicken with its natural enzymes.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps break down protein fibers.
• Corn Flour: Creates crispy coating and helps seal in moisture during frying.
• Chili Powder: Introduces subtle heat and vibrant color to the chicken.

• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone and helps balance rich chicken flavors.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic base that elevates entire dish's complexity.
• Chili Sauce: Introduces fiery kick and deep red color to sauce.
• Ketchup: Adds sweet-tangy dimension and helps thicken sauce naturally.
• Sugar/Honey: Balances heat and creates glossy, caramelized sauce finish.
• Vinegar: Brightens overall taste and cuts through richness.
• Dried Red Chilies: Optional heat booster for spice enthusiasts.
• Spring Onions: Fresh garnish that adds crisp texture and mild onion brightness.

Wok and Tools for Spicy Dragon Chicken

• Wok or Frying Pan: Essential for frying chicken and cooking sauce with even heat distribution.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining marinade ingredients and coating chicken pieces.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping ginger, garlic, and spring onions.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for finely chopping ingredients with precision.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and tossing chicken in sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning and sauce ingredients.

How to Stir-Fry Dragon Chicken Just Right

• Infuse the Protein

Massage chicken with zesty liquid seasonings and powdery spices. Let the mixture mingle and soak for half an hour, allowing flavors to dance and penetrate deeply.

• Crisp Up the Meat

Fire up your cooking vessel with sizzling oil. Gently lower marinated pieces into hot oil, transforming them into golden, crunchy delights. Lift out and rest on paper towel.

• Craft the Flavor Bomb

In the same pan, awaken ginger and garlic until fragrant. Pour in symphony of tangy and sweet sauces. Swirl and simmer until mixture thickens into glossy perfection.

• Unite Protein and Sauce

Return crispy chicken to pan. Tumble and toss until every morsel glistens with spicy-sweet coating. Add fiery dried chilies for extra kick if desired.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle fresh green onions across the dish. Slide onto serving plate alongside fluffy rice or noodles. Devour while hot and bursting with bold flavors.

Tips to Tame or Heat Up the Spice

• Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing chili powder and sauce quantities to match your personal spice tolerance, creating a personalized flavor profile.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before marinating to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture during frying.
• Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, and use cornstarch instead of corn flour to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Bake the marinated chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes instead of deep-frying, reducing oil content while maintaining a delicious crispy exterior.
• Substitute chicken with tofu, cauliflower, or paneer for vegetarian versions that maintain the same exciting dragon sauce flavor profile and texture.

Serving Dragon Chicken for Bold Meals

• Flavor-Packed Pairing Plate: Serve dragon chicken alongside fluffy white rice or egg fried rice to soak up the delicious spicy sauce perfectly.
• Crispy Crunch Companion: Create a fresh vegetable slaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a light vinegar dressing to balance the rich, spicy chicken.
• Cooling Comfort Side: Prepare a quick cucumber yogurt raita or simple green salad to provide a cooling contrast to the hot and spicy dragon chicken flavors.
• Quick Appetizer Twist: Cut chicken into smaller bite-sized pieces and serve on toothpicks for an irresistible party snack that guests will love grabbing during gatherings.

Store Dragon Chicken for Later Enjoyment

• Let the dragon chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to help retain its crispy texture and prevent immediate moisture loss.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate sauce and chicken if possible to maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze up to 2 months for maximum flavor retention. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Restore crispiness by using an air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy chicken texture. Add a tiny splash of oil to help revive the original crunch.

FAQs

• What makes Dragon Chicken different from other chicken dishes?

Dragon Chicken stands out with its unique combination of crispy fried chicken coated in a vibrant, spicy-sweet sauce that balances heat from chili and sweetness from ketchup and sugar.

• Is Dragon Chicken very spicy?

The spice level can be adjusted by controlling the amount of chili powder and chili sauce. You can make it mild or hot depending on your preference by reducing or increasing these ingredients.

• Can I use boneless or bone-in chicken for this recipe?

Boneless chicken works best for Dragon Chicken. Boneless chicken pieces like thighs or breast meat cook evenly and absorb the marinade and sauce more effectively, ensuring a tender and flavorful result.

• Why is corn flour used in the marinade?

Corn flour helps to create a crispy exterior when frying and also helps the marinade stick to the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated with flavor and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Spicy Dragon Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Chinese-inspired Dragon Chicken blends fiery spices with tender meat, creating a mouth-watering culinary experience. Crispy, glazed chicken pieces deliver bold flavors that will leave you craving more authentic Asian cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 500 g (17.6 oz) boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (red or green)
• 2 tbsps soy sauce (for marinade)
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 23 dried red chilies (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 tbsp oil (for frying)
• 1 tbsp oil (for sauce)
• 2 tbsps soy sauce (for sauce)
• 1 tbsp red chili sauce or sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Marinate: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili powder, corn flour, and salt. Allow proteins to absorb flavors for 30 minutes, developing a rich, deep seasoning.
2. Crisp Chicken: Heat oil in a wok or heavy pan at medium temperature. Fry marinated chicken until achieving a golden, crispy exterior with a satisfying crunch. Remove and set aside.
3. Aromatics: In the same pan, quickly sauté minced ginger and garlic until their fragrant essence fills the cooking space, releasing intense flavor compounds.
4. Sauce Development: Blend soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, sweetener, and vinegar into the pan. Whisk ingredients, reducing to create a glossy, concentrated sauce with complex flavor dimensions.
5. Final Integration: Return crispy chicken to the bubbling sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coating. Add dried red chilies for optional heat enhancement.
6. Presentation: Transfer dragon chicken to a serving platter, garnishing with freshly sliced spring onions to introduce a bright, herbaceous contrast against the rich sauce. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Marinate Strategically: Allow chicken to soak in marinade for exactly 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without compromising meat texture.

Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent medium heat while frying to achieve golden-brown crispy exterior without burning chicken pieces.

Balance Sauce Consistency: Reduce sauce slowly to create glossy, concentrated flavor without making it too thick or thin, ensuring perfect coating on chicken.

Customize Heat Levels: Adjust chili quantities for personal spice preference, using dried red chilies or additional chili sauce to control dragon-like intensity.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg