Description

Dragon Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated with natural gelling agent and fried until crispy, then tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy sauce with fresh bell peppers, garlic, ginger, and plant-based dairy to create a rich and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

500g boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tbsp cornstarch (natural gelling agent)
Pinch of salt

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (natural)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (natural)
2 spring onions, thinly sliced

Sauce

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
3 tbsp tomato ketchup (natural)
2 tbsp chili sauce (natural), adjust to taste
3 tbsp plant-based dairy (such as cream or yogurt, plant-based)

Other

Vegetable oil for frying and sautéing

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and toss them in a bowl with cornstarch and a pinch of salt to coat evenly. This helps create a crispy texture when cooked.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces until they turn golden and crispy on all sides. Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pan, add minced garlic, ginger, and diced bell peppers. Stir-fry until fragrant and slightly tender, releasing their natural flavors.
Prepare the Dragon Sauce: In a small bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, and plant-based dairy. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the sautéed vegetables. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the natural gelling agent to slightly thicken the sauce. Then return the crispy fried chicken to the pan and toss to coat thoroughly.
Final Touches: Sprinkle sliced spring onions on top for freshness. Remove the pan from heat once everything is hot and evenly coated with sauce. Serve immediately with your choice of side.

Notes

Marinate the chicken briefly with seasoning for 10 minutes before frying to enhance flavor.
Maintain a hot pan during frying to achieve a crisp exterior without overcooking the chicken inside.
Use fresh bell peppers for the best crunch and vibrant color; avoid canned substitutes.
Adjust the chili sauce amount gradually to control the spice level according to preference.
Stir the sauce gently and continuously while simmering to prevent sticking or burning.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: Dragon Chicken, spicy chicken recipe, quick chicken dish, Asian style chicken, crispy chicken, spicy sauce chicken