Dragon Chicken: A 20-Minute Flavor Explosion!

Ready for a Little Heat? This Dragon Chicken Has You Covered

If your taste buds have been feeling a little bored lately, Dragon Chicken is the fiery fix you didn’t know you needed—but will absolutely fall in love with. It’s crispy, saucy, spicy (but not too spicy), and just complicated-looking enough to impress your family or guests. But here’s the best part: it’s actually super simple to make.

Whether you’re a busy mom looking to shake up your weekly dinner routine or someone who just wants to dive into something bolder than plain old takeout, this dish is a total game-changer. Trust me, once you try this Dragon Chicken, you’ll be adding it to your regular dinner rotation faster than you can say “pass the soy sauce.”

Why You’ll Love This Dragon Chicken

  • Crispy + Saucy = Pure Magic: Think tender fried chicken with a golden, crunchy crust… all wrapped up in a glossy, bold-flavored sauce. Yes, please.
  • Weeknight-Friendly: It looks fancy, but it’s totally doable on a Tuesday night. From start to finish, this comes together in under 45 minutes.
  • Better Than Takeout: You control the spice, the salt, and the freshness. Plus, it’s way more budget-friendly than ordering in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 2–3 dried red chilies (or crushed red pepper flakes)
  • ½ cup tomato ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • ¼ cup water (optional – to loosen the sauce)
  • Salt to taste

Optional Garnishes:

  • Sliced green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Thin strips of fried onion or bell pepper for crunch

Step-by-Step: How to Make Dragon Chicken

1. Marinate and Coat the Chicken
In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced chicken with egg white, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients. This simple marinade helps create that perfect golden crunch when fried.

2. Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches—don’t crowd the pan. You want them golden and crispy, not soggy. Let them drain on paper towels while you whip up the sauce.

3. Make the Flavor-Packed Sauce
In the same pan (yes, we’re keeping the cleanup light!), add sesame oil and sauté the garlic, ginger, and chilies until everything smells amazing—about 1–2 minutes.

Stir in ketchup, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Let it bubble and thicken slightly. If it gets too thick, a splash of water will smooth things out. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

4. Toss and Finish
Add your crispy chicken back into the pan and toss to coat each piece in that glossy, spicy sauce. Let it all simmer together for one more minute so the flavors can become BFFs.

5. Garnish and Serve
Top with green onions, sesame seeds, and optional crunchy fried onions or bell peppers. Serve hot with steamed rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps for a fun, low-carb twist.

Aneta’s Quick Tips for Spicy Success

  • No sesame oil? Don’t stress—it adds flavor, but you can skip or swap with a neutral oil.
  • Want it spicier? Use more dried chilies or add a splash of Sriracha.
  • Chicken breast vs. thigh? Both work! Thighs are juicier, but breasts give a cleaner, leaner bite.
  • Double the sauce? Go for it! Especially if you’re a saucy kinda person or serving it with rice.

A Little Kitchen Story

This Dragon Chicken quickly became my go-to when I needed something impressive but didn’t want to spend all night in the kitchen. The first time I made it, my kids thought I had ordered takeout (which I took as a compliment, obviously). Now, it’s on our “fancy Friday” rotation—aka when we eat in our pajamas but pretend we’re at a restaurant.

Close-up of spicy Dragon Chicken served over steamed white rice, garnished with red chilies and herbs.
Flavor-packed Dragon Chicken served hot over fluffy rice, garnished with red chilies for the perfect bold bite.

FAQs About Dragon Chicken

Can I substitute the chicken with tofu or shrimp?

Absolutely! Tofu works great—just press it first to remove moisture. Shrimp cooks even faster and soaks up the sauce beautifully.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to help the coating stay crispy.

Can I bake instead of fry?

You can, but you’ll miss out on that super crunchy texture. If baking, use a wire rack and brush the pieces with oil.

Spice Up Your Dinner Routine with Dragon Chicken

Dragon Chicken is the perfect recipe for anyone who craves something bold, flavorful, and totally satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a restaurant-worthy dish that feels just a little indulgent—but still fits into your everyday dinner plan.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, a date night in, or just treating yourself (you deserve it!), this spicy little number will bring the wow factor.

So go on, grab that skillet, and let’s bring some fire to your dinner table tonight.

Want more spicy magic?

Follow me on Pinterest for more chicken recipes that are fast, flavorful, and always fun! Don’t forget to tag me if you try this dish—I love seeing your kitchen creations! Happy cooking.

Explore More Flavorful Recipes You’ll Love

Looking to keep the flavor party going after trying out Dragon Chicken? Here are some tasty and inspiring dishes from Chicken Magic Recipes that pair perfectly with the bold, spicy flair you just experienced. Whether you want to explore more Asian-style chicken dinners or cozy up with comfort food classics, these internal links are handpicked just for you:

  • Craving more fiery flair? Try our Firecracker Chicken Wraps—they’re crunchy, spicy, and perfect for meal prep or an easy weeknight dinner.
  • For something rich and soul-soothing, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Soup brings the heat and the comfort in one bowl.
  • If you loved the sweet-spicy balance in Dragon Chicken, you’ll adore our Sweet and Savory Roasted Orange Chicken—a citrusy twist on classic baked chicken.
  • And don’t miss out on one of my personal favorites, Crockpot Butter Chicken—a slow-cooked Indian-inspired classic that’s creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-satisfying.

Hungry for more? Browse the full collection anytime and keep your chicken game strong

Print
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Close-up of spicy Dragon Chicken served over steamed white rice, garnished with red chilies and herbs.

Dragon Chicken


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  • Author: Aneta
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Dragon Chicken is a spicy, crispy, and flavor-packed Indo-Chinese favorite that’s quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights. Tossed in a bold, tangy sauce and served over fluffy rice, it’s guaranteed to become your go-to dish when you’re craving something fiery and satisfying.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup cornstarch

  • 1 egg white

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon pepper

  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

  • 23 dried red chilies (or crushed red pepper flakes)

  • ½ cup tomato ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce

  • 1 tablespoon vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey

  • ¼ cup water (if needed, to loosen sauce)

  • Salt to taste

Optional Garnishes:

  • Sliced green onions

  • Toasted sesame seeds

  • Fried onion or bell pepper strips


Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken:
    In a bowl, mix sliced chicken with cornstarch, egg white, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes.

  2. Fry the Chicken:
    Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the marinated chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

  3. Make the Sauce:
    In the same skillet, add sesame oil. Sauté minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

  4. Add Sauce Ingredients:
    Stir in ketchup, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add water to loosen if needed. Taste and adjust salt.

  5. Toss Chicken in Sauce:
    Return the fried chicken to the pan and toss well to coat. Let it cook for 1 more minute to absorb the flavors.

  6. Serve:
    Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs add more flavor and stay juicier, but breasts work great too.
    Adjust the number of chilies to control spice level.
    You can double the sauce if you prefer it extra saucy.
    Make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Indo-Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 890 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg

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