Hot and Tangy Dragon Chicken
This Hot and Tangy Dragon Chicken is a vibrant dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a glossy, flavorful sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal, offering a delightful balance of heat and sweetness.
- Author: Layla
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500 grams boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust for spiciness)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- For Stir-Frying:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 2–3 green chilies, slit (adjust for spiciness)
- 1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped
- 2–3 spring onions, chopped for garnish
- For Garnishing:
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
- Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, combine 500 grams of boneless chicken breast with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Mix well and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. This helps tenderize the chicken.
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers (about 1-2 minutes), add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; you may need to do this in batches. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. A common mistake is to overcrowd the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of browning.
- When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet, add sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. The onions should become translucent and fragrant.
- Add in the slit green chilies, 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger, and 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should be lightly golden.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the prepared sauce. Toss everything together, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is glossy and clings to the chicken.
- Remove from heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped spring onions. Optionally, add fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: For the crispiest chicken, ensure that the oil is hot enough before adding the marinated chicken. A good test is to drop a small piece of chicken into the oil; it should sizzle immediately. Letting the chicken marinate longer enhances the flavors.