If you love restaurant-style Indo-Chinese food, this dragon chicken dinner recipe is guaranteed to become one of your favorites. Dragon chicken is known for its fiery red color, crisp fried chicken strips, and glossy, spicy-savory sauce that coats every bite. While it often appears on restaurant menus as an appetizer, this recipe transforms dragon chicken into a satisfying dinner recipe that pairs beautifully with fried rice, noodles, or even steamed rice.
Despite its dramatic name and bold appearance, dragon chicken isn’t overwhelmingly spicy. Instead, it delivers layers of flavor—slightly sweet, tangy, umami-rich, and gently spicy—making it appealing to a wide range of palates. The dish gets its name from the long, thin strips of chicken that resemble a dragon’s fiery scales once tossed in the vibrant sauce.
This homemade dragon chicken recipe focuses on fresh ingredients, balanced seasoning, and clear steps so you can easily recreate a restaurant-quality dinner in your own kitchen.
Why This Dragon Chicken Recipe Works for Dinner
What sets this dragon chicken dinner recipe apart is the texture contrast. The chicken is lightly marinated, coated, and fried until golden and crisp, while the sauce remains glossy and bold without becoming heavy. Cashews add crunch, bell peppers bring freshness, and aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions create depth.
Unlike many takeout versions, making dragon chicken at home allows you to control the spice level, sweetness, and saltiness. The result is a well-balanced dish that tastes fresh, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying as a main course.
Ingredients with Measurements
For the Chicken Marinade
- 250 g (10 oz) boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
- ½ tablespoon grated ginger
- ½ tablespoon grated garlic
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon vinegar (rice or apple cider)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For Coating & Frying
- 2 tablespoons egg white
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup neutral oil (for deep frying)
For the Dragon Sauce
- 2 to 3 tablespoons red chili paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2½ tablespoons tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons vinegar
- ¼ cup hot water
For Stir-Frying
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup sliced onions
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
- 1 tablespoon sliced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
- 2 dried red chilies
- ¼ to ½ cup roasted cashews
- 1 spring onion, chopped (whites and greens separated)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken strips to a mixing bowl. Add ginger, garlic, red chili paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt. Mix well until every piece is evenly coated. Cover and let marinate for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Step 2: Prepare the Dragon Sauce
In a small bowl, combine red chili paste, soy sauce, tomato sauce, sugar, vinegar, and hot water. Stir well and taste. Adjust sweetness, spice, or tang as needed. Set aside.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Add egg white to the marinated chicken and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken and gently toss until coated. The coating should be dry and cling to the chicken, not runny.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Once hot, gently add the chicken strips in batches. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on a wire rack. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Aromatics
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add dried red chilies, ginger, garlic, and the white parts of the spring onion. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 6: Add Vegetables
Add sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
Step 7: Cook the Sauce
Pour the prepared dragon sauce into the pan. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes until thick, glossy, and aromatic.
Step 8: Combine and Finish
Add the fried chicken and roasted cashews to the sauce. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle spring onion greens on top and remove from heat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dragon chicken dinner recipe hot with:
- Fried rice or vegetable fried rice
- Hakka noodles or plain noodles
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Light vegetable soup
The dish is best enjoyed immediately while the chicken is still crispy and the sauce is glossy.
