Description
Dragon Chicken from China brings fiery flavor right to your dinner table, blending spicy and tangy notes that dance across your taste buds. Crispy chicken pieces tossed in a bold sauce make this dish a crowd-pleasing favorite that sparks conversation and delights hungry friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Marinade:
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons oil (for pan-frying)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup red and green bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or rice vinegar)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (to taste)
- Water or broth, as needed
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Thoroughly coat your chicken strips and let them marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a large skillet heated to medium-high (375°F). Fry chicken strips for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer cooked pieces to a clean plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium (350°F). Add 1 tablespoon oil and sauté 1 sliced onion and ½ cup mixed bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Toss 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger into the vegetable mix. Stir continuously for 30-45 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and ½ teaspoon sugar into the pan. Stir sauce until it bubbles and slightly thickens.
- Reintroduce crispy chicken strips to the sauce. Gently toss to ensure complete coating and cook for 2-3 minutes at medium heat.
- Transfer dragon chicken to a serving plate. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes to ensure tender, flavorful meat that absorbs the seasoning perfectly.
- Use a high-heat cooking method like a wok or cast-iron skillet to get that crispy golden exterior on the chicken pieces.
- Adjust the chili garlic sauce to control the spice level, adding more for heat lovers or reducing for a milder version.
- For a gluten-free adaptation, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use cornstarch-coated chicken to maintain the crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13-16 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg