There’s something magical about sitting around the dinner table and digging into a meal that feels a little adventurous, a little comforting, and a lot delicious. Dragon Chicken is exactly that kind of dish. It’s a fiery, flavor-packed meal that comes to life with tender strips of chicken, a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce, and colorful veggies that make every bite exciting.
This dish, originally inspired by Indo-Chinese cuisine, brings together the boldness of Chinese cooking techniques with the rich, spice-driven flavor profiles loved across India. Dragon Chicken often pops up at street stalls and casual eateries where the air is thick with the smell of sizzling sauces and smoky chilies. It’s a dish made for sharing — a celebration of color, heat, and a little bit of crunch.
I still remember the first time I tried Dragon Chicken at a bustling little restaurant downtown. The aroma hit me first — garlicky, spicy, a little sweet — and then came the sizzling sound as it was set down on the table. It was love at first bite: the chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a glossy sauce that I couldn’t get enough of. Ever since, it’s become a go-to recipe whenever I want something fun, bold, and a little bit different without being too complicated.
Whether you’re planning a weekend feast or just craving something more exciting than the usual takeout, this homemade Dragon Chicken is the kind of dish that feels special but approachable — a perfect reason to gather your favorite people around the table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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Big, bold flavors: Sweet, savory, spicy — every bite is a flavor explosion.
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Crispy yet juicy chicken: The double coating gives it the perfect texture.
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Easy to customize: You can adjust the heat level to your liking.
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Restaurant-quality at home: Impress your family or guests with this vibrant dish.
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Perfect for meal prep: It reheats beautifully for lunches or quick dinners.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
Chicken Marinade:
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1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
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1 egg
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¼ cup cornstarch
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¼ cup flour
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon Asian sweet chili sauce
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon ginger powder
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon pepper
Dragon Sauce:
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¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
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¼ cup Asian sweet chili sauce
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2 tablespoons oyster sauce
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2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
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2 tablespoons ketchup
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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2 tablespoons rice vinegar
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon ginger powder
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1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Stir Fry:
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
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1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
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1 cup matchstick carrots
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4 green onions, chopped
HOW TO MAKE DRAGON CHICKEN:
Making Dragon Chicken at home is easier than you might think — and honestly, it’s way better than takeout. Plus, you get to sneak a few extra bites while cooking, which I always consider a major bonus.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Start by whisking together the marinade ingredients. Toss the chicken strips in, making sure every piece is coated well. Let it sit while you prepare the sauce and vegetables — just 15 minutes does wonders.
2. Prepare the Dragon Sauce:
While the chicken marinates, stir together all the Dragon Sauce ingredients in a bowl. That glossy, flavor-packed sauce is what ties everything together. It’s spicy, sweet, and totally crave-worthy.
3. Stir-Fry the Veggies:
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Toss in the bell peppers and carrots and stir-fry until they’re just tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. You want them to keep some crunch for texture. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
4. Fry the Chicken:
In the same pan, add a little more oil. Working in batches, cook the chicken strips until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan so the chicken gets nice and crispy.
5. Combine Everything:
Return all the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour the Dragon Sauce over the chicken and toss everything together until it’s nicely coated and the sauce thickens into a beautiful, sticky glaze.
6. Add the Veggies:
Finally, toss the veggies and green onions back into the pan. Stir everything together for about 1 minute, just enough to warm the vegetables without overcooking them.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Pile the Dragon Chicken onto a platter, sprinkle with extra green onions if you like, and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
HELPFUL TIPS:
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Slice chicken thinly and evenly so it cooks quickly and stays juicy.
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Don’t skip the marinade time — even 15 minutes makes the chicken much more flavorful.
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Stir-fry the vegetables quickly to keep their color and crunch.
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Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha depending on your preference.
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Work in batches when frying so the chicken crisps up properly instead of steaming.
DETAILS:
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 40 minutes
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Yield: 4-6 servings
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Category: Main Course
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Method: Stir-Fry
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Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
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Diet: Halal-friendly (if using turkey ham where needed)
NOTES:
If you love a little extra heat, sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes before serving. Also, this dish is super adaptable — feel free to toss in other veggies like snap peas or broccoli for an even heartier meal.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Approximate per serving (without rice):
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Calories: 420
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Protein: 30g
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Fat: 15g
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Carbohydrates: 35g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 14g
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I make Dragon Chicken less spicy?
Absolutely! Just reduce the amount of sriracha or sweet chili sauce. You’ll still get loads of flavor without the extra heat.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Dragon Chicken works beautifully with shrimp or even tofu if you want a vegetarian twist.
Do I need a wok to make this?
Nope! A large, heavy skillet will work just fine. Just make sure it’s big enough to toss everything together easily.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Related Recipes:
If you liked this Dragon Chicken, you’ll definitely enjoy these other cheesy (and saucy!) delights:
CONCLUSION
Dragon Chicken is one of those dishes that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar without the stress. It’s colorful, bursting with flavor, and packed with texture — crispy, tender, saucy, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re looking to shake up your weekly dinner routine or impress your friends with something new and exciting, this dish has you covered. So grab your wok (or skillet), turn up the heat, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite chicken recipe.
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Dragon Chicken
Description
There’s something magical about sitting around the dinner table and digging into a meal that feels a little adventurous, a little comforting, and a lot delicious. Dragon Chicken is exactly that kind of dish. It’s a fiery, flavor-packed meal that comes to life with tender strips of chicken, a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce, and colorful veggies that make every bite exciting.
This dish, originally inspired by Indo-Chinese cuisine, brings together the boldness of Chinese cooking techniques with the rich, spice-driven flavor profiles loved across India. Dragon Chicken often pops up at street stalls and casual eateries where the air is thick with the smell of sizzling sauces and smoky chilies. It’s a dish made for sharing — a celebration of color, heat, and a little bit of crunch.
I still remember the first time I tried Dragon Chicken at a bustling little restaurant downtown. The aroma hit me first — garlicky, spicy, a little sweet — and then came the sizzling sound as it was set down on the table. It was love at first bite: the chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a glossy sauce that I couldn’t get enough of. Ever since, it’s become a go-to recipe whenever I want something fun, bold, and a little bit different without being too complicated.
Whether you’re planning a weekend feast or just craving something more exciting than the usual takeout, this homemade Dragon Chicken is the kind of dish that feels special but approachable — a perfect reason to gather your favorite people around the table.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
1 egg
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup flour
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Asian sweet chili sauce
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ginger powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Dragon Sauce:
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup Asian sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Stir Fry:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup matchstick carrots
4 green onions, chopped
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Start by whisking together the marinade ingredients. Toss the chicken strips in, making sure every piece is coated well. Let it sit while you prepare the sauce and vegetables — just 15 minutes does wonders.
2. Prepare the Dragon Sauce:
While the chicken marinates, stir together all the Dragon Sauce ingredients in a bowl. That glossy, flavor-packed sauce is what ties everything together. It’s spicy, sweet, and totally crave-worthy.
3. Stir-Fry the Veggies:
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Toss in the bell peppers and carrots and stir-fry until they’re just tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. You want them to keep some crunch for texture. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
4. Fry the Chicken:
In the same pan, add a little more oil. Working in batches, cook the chicken strips until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan so the chicken gets nice and crispy.
5. Combine Everything:
Return all the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour the Dragon Sauce over the chicken and toss everything together until it’s nicely coated and the sauce thickens into a beautiful, sticky glaze.
6. Add the Veggies:
Finally, toss the veggies and green onions back into the pan. Stir everything together for about 1 minute, just enough to warm the vegetables without overcooking them.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Pile the Dragon Chicken onto a platter, sprinkle with extra green onions if you like, and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
If you love a little extra heat, sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes before serving. Also, this dish is super adaptable — feel free to toss in other veggies like snap peas or broccoli for an even heartier meal.