What it is

Dragon Chicken is a popular Indo-Chinese dish made with:

• Crispy fried chicken strips
• Spicy-sweet garlic chili sauce
• Crunchy vegetables (capsicum, onions)
• Optional peanuts/cashews for texture

It’s known for being crispy + sticky + spicy + slightly sweet.

 Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

 Chicken & Batter

• Chicken breast – 400 g (thin strips)
• Salt – ½ tsp
• Black pepper – ½ tsp
• Soy sauce – 1 tbsp
• Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp

Batter

• Cornstarch – ½ cup
• All-purpose flour (maida) – ¼ cup
• Egg – 1 large
• Cold water – as needed (to make thick coating batter)

 Frying

• Oil – for deep frying

 Dragon Sauce

• Garlic – 6 cloves (finely chopped)
• Ginger – 1 tbsp (finely chopped)
• Dry red chilies – 4–6 (or chili flakes 1–2 tsp)
• Soy sauce – 2 tbsp
• Chili sauce – 2 tbsp
• Ketchup – 2 tbsp (for balance)
• Vinegar – 1 tbsp
• Sugar – 1 tsp
• Water or chicken stock – ¼ cup
• Cornstarch slurry – 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

 Vegetables

• Onion – 1 medium (sliced)
• Capsicum (bell pepper) – 1 cup (julienned)
• Spring onions – for garnish

 Optional Crunch Add-ons

• Roasted peanuts – 2 tbsp
• Cashews – 2 tbsp (lightly fried)

 Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken

Mix chicken with:

• salt
• pepper
• soy sauce
• ginger-garlic paste

Let rest for 15–20 minutes.

2. Make batter

Combine:

• cornflour
• flour
• egg
• water

 Batter should be thick enough to coat chicken heavily.

3. Fry chicken (CRISP STEP)

• Heat oil on medium-high
• Coat chicken pieces in batter
• Deep fry until golden and crispy
• Drain on paper towel

 Tip: Double-fry for extra crunch (restaurant style)

4. Prepare sauce

Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok:

• Add garlic + ginger
• Add dry chilies
• Stir until aromatic

Then add:

• soy sauce
• chili sauce
• ketchup
• vinegar
• sugar
• water

Let simmer.

5. Thicken sauce

• Add cornstarch slurry
• Stir until glossy and slightly thick

6. Add vegetables

• Toss onions + capsicum
• Cook 1–2 minutes (keep crunchy)

7. Combine chicken

• Add fried chicken
• Toss quickly to coat evenly

8. Finish

• Add spring onions
• Optional: peanuts or cashews for crunch
• Serve immediately (best hot & crispy)

 Nut & Allergen Info

 Does Dragon Chicken contain nuts?

• Base recipe: NO nuts required

 Possible allergens:

• Soy sauce → gluten (unless gluten-free)
• Egg → used in batter
• Cornstarch → safe
• Chili sauces → may contain preservatives

 Optional nuts:

• Peanuts (common Indo-Chinese garnish)
• Cashews (restaurant variation)

 Flavor Profile

•  Spicy (medium–high)
•  Slightly sweet
•  Garlicky
•  Savory umami
•  Crispy exterior + sticky glaze

 Q&A

Q1: Why is my chicken not crispy?

• Batter too thin
• Oil not hot enough
• Overcrowding fryer
   Solution: fry in small batches, use cold water in batter

Q2: Can I air fry Dragon Chicken?

Yes:

• Spray oil on coated chicken
• Air fry at 200°C for 12–15 min
• Toss in sauce afterward
   Note: slightly less crispy than deep fry

Q3: Can I make it less spicy?

Yes:

• Reduce dry chilies
• Replace chili sauce with ketchup
• Add more sugar for balance

Q4: Can I use boneless thighs instead of breast?

Yes—better flavor and juicier texture.

Q5: Why is my sauce watery?

• Not enough cornstarch slurry
• Vegetables released water
   Fix: increase slurry slightly and cook on high heat

Q6: What can I serve it with?

• Fried rice
• Egg fried rice
• Hakka noodles
• Plain steamed rice

• Author
• Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

Latest posts by Sara Mitchell (see all)

• Southern Pineapple Bake (Pineapple Casserole) - May 1, 2026
• Cottage Cheese Garlic Knot Bites - May 1, 2026
• Dragon Chicken (Crispy Savory Indo-Chinese Dish) - May 1, 2026