Dragon Chicken Restaurant Style | The Recipe Critic

Dragon Chicken is a spicy and flavorful dish featuring tender breaded chicken stir-fried with vegetables and coated in a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce. It’s a crowd favorite for those who enjoy a fiery twist on the classic stir-fry!

Ingredients for Dragon Chicken

With its bright red color and bold flavor, this restaurant-style dragon chicken is just like a restaurant style dish! It’s simple, delicious, and sure to please the whole family! Check the recipe card for exact measurements.

For the Marinade

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: The star of the dish! It absorbs the flavors while staying tender and juicy.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and helps coat the chicken evenly, giving it a crispy texture during cooking.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami flavor and balances the spice.
• Chili Paste: Brings the heat and gives this recipe its signature kick.
• Ginger Paste or Grated Ginger: It adds warmth and depth to the dish.
• Garlic Paste or Grated Garlic: Enhances the flavor with a garlic taste.

Dragon Chicken Breading

• All-Purpose Flour: This creates a crisp outer layer for the chicken.
• Cornstarch: Adds an extra crispy texture to the coating.
• Chili Powder: For subtle heat and bold flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth and enhances the overall flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Brings a warm, slightly spicy taste.
• Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors and gives a bit of heat.
• Oil: Choose a neutral oil for frying.

Stir fry

• Vegetable Oil: To sauté the vegetables and toast the cashews.
• Cashew Nuts: They add a rich, nutty crunch to the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Brings a pop of color and a slight crunch to the stir-fry.
• Red Onion: Adds a mild, slightly sharp flavor that mellows when cooked.
• Dried Red Chilis: Gives the dish heat and a smoky depth.
• Sliced Green Onions: Garnish for a mild onion flavor and vibrant color.

Sauce

• Ketchup: Adds a sweet flavor to contrast the heat in the dragon chicken and serves as the base for the sauce, helping to balance the heat.
• Soy Sauce: Provides a savory, umami depth.
• Chili Paste: Brings extra spicy heat for a fiery kick.
• Garlic Paste: Gives the best savory flavor!
• Ginger Paste: Adds a warm, slightly sweet, and zesty note to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances out the spice with a touch of sweetness.
• Rice Vinegar: Brightens the flavors and adds a slight tang.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.

How to Make Dragon Chicken

This dragon chicken recipe comes together really easily for a meal that you will absolutely love! Adjus the spice levels to suit your tastes. Just be aware that spice can increase as it cooks. So add the spice in small doses!

Chicken

1. Prep: Cut the chicken into ½-inch by 2-inch strips and then put them in a sealable bag or large bowl. Whisk together the marinade ingredients: egg, soy sauce, chili paste, ginger, and garlic. Pour the mixture into the same container as the chicken, cover or seal, and then let it marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Mix: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk together the breading ingredients, which include the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, chili powder, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper.
3. Heat: In a large skillet heat 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, but not smoking, remove the chicken from the marinade. Coat the chicken in the breading mixture evenly.
4. Fry: Working in batches, lay the breaded chicken in an even layer in the hot oil and then fry for about 4-5 minutes, turning the chicken to evenly brown. Place the cooked chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate and then set aside. Remove the oil from the pan or get a new pan.

Stir Fry

5. Stir Fry : Heat 1 tablespoon of new vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add the cashews, red bell pepper, red and green onion, and dried chilis, then cook stirring frequently until they are tender, about 5 minutes.
6. Make the Sauce: While the vegetables are cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients: ketchup, soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger, sugar, rice vinegar, and cornstarch.
7. Combine: Add the cooked dragon chicken to the pan with the vegetables, then pour the sauce over everything. Cook, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and coats everything in the pan. Remove from heat and serve!