This Dragon Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is cooked all in one pan, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can easily switch up the vegetables and proteins to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of those odds and ends! Trust me, you’re going to want to add this one to your regular rotation.
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s make this Dragon Chicken glorious! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 500g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch : this is what gives the chicken that delightful crispy edge!
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce : for that umami kick!
- 1 tablespoon vinegar : I prefer rice vinegar, but feel free to use what you have.
- 2 tablespoons oil : I love using vegetable oil, but olive oil works too.
- 1 onion, chopped : you know, the good stuff!
- 2 bell peppers, chopped : use red, yellow, or green; mix it up!
- 2-3 green chilies, sliced : kick it up as much as you like!
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced, garlic is life, am I right?
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced : fresh ginger brings an amazing aroma!
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce : this is the secret weapon for that sweet-spicy balance.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce : yes, more soy sauce! We love it!
- 1 tablespoon chili paste or sauce : adjust to your heat tolerance.
- Salt and pepper to taste : just a couple pinches will do.
- Cooked rice, for serving : it’s perfect for soaking up all that lovely sauce.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Marinate the Chicken : In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with the cornstarch, soy sauce, and vinegar. Let it marinate for 30 minutes. This step is crucial, it makes the chicken nice and tender!
Fry the Chicken : Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the marinated chicken, frying until it’s golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken, and set it aside. You want to have that delicious crust.
Sauté the Veggies : In the same pan (don’t wash it, those flavors are too good!), add the chopped onion, bell peppers, green chilies, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until fragrant and the onion is translucent, around 5 minutes. The smell is heavenly!
Combine and Coat : Add the fried chicken back to the pan. Now, pour in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, chili paste, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Toss everything together until well coated and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve : Serve it hot over cooked rice, and watch your family dig in! Trust me; they’ll be asking for seconds.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something quick that still feels a bit fancy! It brings tons of flavor without much fuss. I’m a real sucker for comfort food that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, especially when my kids are hungry after a long day. Plus, the best part is how customizable it is! You can switch up the veggies based on what you’ve got. Example: if you have leftover broccoli in the fridge, toss it in there!
If you loved this Dragon Chicken, be sure to check out my Crispy Chicken Wonton Tacos, my Classic Ginger Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup, or my Crispy Asian Shrimp Balls!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Dragon Chicken comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Seriously, you can prep, cook, and serve it faster than most take-out waits!
One-Pan Meal
Talk about minimal cleanup! Every element is cooked in just one pan, meaning less mess for you. After dinner, it’s just one quick wash and you’re done, hooray!
Customizable
The best part about this dish? Use whatever vegetables you have on hand! Don’t have bell peppers? Try snap peas or carrots instead. Want a different protein? Swap in some tofu or shrimp. This flexibility is what makes Dragon Chicken a family favorite.
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor, this Dragon Chicken hits all the right spots. It’s everything you want in a comfort meal warm, flavorful, and totally satisfying. Just what you need when you’re feeling a bit down, or just plain hungry!
Kid-Friendly
With just the right amount of sweetness balanced with spices, this dish is perfect for kids and grown-ups alike. Bonus points if you let them help prep the vegetables; they might just dig in after all that work!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
Serve the Dragon Chicken over steamed white or brown rice for a hearty meal. You can also pair it with noodles or even a fresh salad on the side.
Storage
This dish keeps well in the fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
When you reheat, I recommend doing so in a pan over medium-low heat. That way, the chicken retains its crispy bits! If it seems a little dry, sprinkle a bit of water as you heat to create a little steam.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze any leftovers. Just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for about 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Conclusion
So, if you’re tired of the same old weeknight meals and need something new, give this Dragon Chicken a shot! Packed with flavor, quick to whip up, and easy to customize, it ticks all the boxes for a busy family.
Happy cooking, friends! And remember, cooking is meant to be fun, so don’t stress. Enjoy the process, and before you know it, you’ll have this quick and easy Dragon Chicken on your table.
This Dragon Chicken recipe is my heartfelt gift to you, because every family deserves a delicious meal at the end of a busy day, don’t you think? So, dig in and enjoy every last bite with the ones you love. For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Dragon Chicken
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free soy sauce)
Description
This delicious Dragon Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is cooked all in one pan, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 500g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (rice vinegar recommended)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 2–3 green chilies, sliced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili paste or sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with the cornstarch, soy sauce, and vinegar. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and fry until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, add onion, bell peppers, green chilies, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until fragrant and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the fried chicken back to the pan. Pour in sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, chili paste, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss well and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot over cooked rice.
Notes
Use whatever vegetables you have on hand for customization. Serve with rice, noodles, or fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
