Dragon Chicken Recipe

If you’ve ever craved bold, fiery flavors that hit all the right notes—sweet, spicy, crunchy, and saucy—this Dragon Chicken Recipe is about to become your new obsession. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder, why am I not making this every weekend? Crispy fried chicken strips get tossed in a glossy sauce loaded with bell peppers, cashews, and that addictive sweet-heat punch you’d expect from your favorite Indo-Chinese Fakeaway spot.

Here’s the best part: you don’t need a deep fryer to nail it. Yep, you can whip this up in the air fryer with just a teaspoon of oil and still get that golden, crispy bite. Of course, if you’re all about indulgence, go ahead and deep-fry—no judgment here. Either way, this Dragon Chicken delivers restaurant-level flavor that’ll make you question why you ever paid takeout prices.

Not only does this dish scream flavor, but it’s also super versatile. Serve it as an appetizer for game night, or pair it with noodles or fried rice for one of the easiest (and tastiest) Asian Dinner Ideas you’ll ever try. Got friends coming over? Trust me, this is one of the Best Chinese Food Recipes to impress without breaking a sweat. Plus, with its mix of crispy textures and spicy-sweet sauce, it easily competes with any Bourbon Chicken Recipe or other crowd-favorite Chinese Chicken Recipes.

At the end of the day, food like this is pure comfort. Quick to make, crazy delicious, and the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory—it’s exactly why we all love Asian Foods so much. So the next time you’re hunting for new Chicken Recipes Chinese style, skip the takeout menu and make this yourself. One bite, and you’ll see what the hype is about.

Dragon Chicken is a crunchy, flavor-packed treat featuring chicken strips coated in a golden batter and tossed in a sweet-spicy sauce with bell peppers and cashews. Perfect as a finger-food appetizer or a tasty side dish, this recipe can be made in an air fryer or deep-fried for extra crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish | Cuisine: Chinese, Indian | Servings: 4 | Category: Dinner | Author: Aleda

Ingredients

For the Crispy Batter:

2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1.5 tbsp rice flour
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste (or minced fresh ginger and garlic)
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp red chili powder
1 egg
1 tsp vegetable or peanut oil

For the Sauce:

1 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil
1 bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, sliced
1 tsp Sriracha (or your favorite hot sauce)
1/3 cup cashews
1 tbsp honey
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp tomato paste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine all batter ingredients and whisk until smooth and lump-free. Add chicken strips and toss until each piece is evenly coated. Use your hands if needed for thorough mixing.
Cook the Chicken:
Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (if your model requires preheating). Arrange the chicken strips in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Air fry for 7 minutes, then flip the strips and cook another 7 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Deep-Fry Method: Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a pan, wok, or Dutch oven. Test with a small bit of batter—it should sizzle and float. Fry chicken in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Drain on paper towels once cooked.
Make the Sauce: In a wok or large skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and soft. Add bell peppers and cook a few more minutes until slightly tender. Stir in Sriracha, tomato paste, and honey, mixing well.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken to the wok and toss until every piece is coated with the sauce. Serve hot with jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles.
Tips & Variations: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer; cook in batches if needed. Ensure oil is hot before deep-frying to get extra-crispy chicken. Substitute Sriracha with any hot sauce you like. Swap rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar if needed. For a milder, kid-friendly version, skip the Sriracha altogether.

Twirl Tasty

Dragon Chicken Recipe - Easy Chinese Asian Dinner Idea