Savor the bold taste of Dragon Chicken, a delectable Indo-Chinese dish ideal as a starter or side. This mouth-watering recipe combines tender, stir-fried boneless chicken with a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy sauces. Perfectly complementing fried rice, noodles, or soup, it's a versatile choice for an unforgettable dining experience.
Combine boneless chicken pieces, ginger garlic paste, salt, soy sauce, chili paste, pepper powder, egg, all-purpose flour, and corn starch in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
To Fry the Chicken
Heat a pan over medium flame and pour oil. Once the oil is hot, gently lay the marinated chicken pieces in the pan, ensuring they don't overlap. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook evenly.
Carefully flip each piece to fry the other side for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until each piece achieves a golden brown hue, indicating a crispy exterior.
Once fried, remove the chicken out of the pan and put it on a plate lined with paper towels. This helps remove extra oil. Keep it aside for later use in your recipe.
To Make the Dragon Chicken
With remaining oil in the same pan, add chopped ginger and garlic for a fragrant base, then introduce dry red chili and cashew nuts. Sauté this mix until the cashews turn golden and crispy, adding a delightful crunch to the dish.
Stir in chopped onions to the pan, sautéing until they become translucent and soft, infusing their sweet flavor into the oil.
Add green and yellow bell peppers for a burst of color and a fresh, slightly crunchy texture. Stir fry these for about 2 minutes, just enough to soften them slightly while retaining their crispness.
Pour in the soy sauce, ketchup, and chili paste, creating a rich, flavorful sauce. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are uniformly coated and the sauce melds together, balancing the sweetness and heat.
Carefully mix the fried chicken into the pan, ensuring each piece gets an even coating of the sauce and blends well with the sautéed vegetables.
Finish by sprinkling chopped spring onions on top for a fresh flavor and a burst of color. Your Dragon Chicken is now ready to enjoy!
To Serve
Enjoy this delicious Dragon Chicken with your choice of fried rice, jeera rice, or noodles. For more pairing ideas, check out the serving suggestions section.
Notes
Here are some helpful tips to make the perfect Dragon Chicken of your choice:
Preparation and Cooking Techniques:
Best Chicken Selection: Boneless pieces ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption. Choose pan-frying for a healthier option, shallow frying for a medium-crispy texture, or deep frying for the crispiest outcome.
Vegetable Crunch: Add bell peppers and other vegetables towards the end of stir-frying. This technique preserves their texture and nutrients while adding a vibrant color contrast to the dish.
Vegetarian Version: Transform Dragon Chicken into a plant-based delight by substituting chicken with cauliflower. A simple switch for a delicious vegetarian or vegan feast!
Cooking Oil Temperature: When frying chicken, ensure the oil is sufficiently hot (around 350°F or 175°C) to prevent excess oil absorption and guarantee a crispy exterior.
Non-Stick Cookware: Using non-stick pans or woks simplifies the cooking process, reduces the need for excess oil, and helps in even cooking of ingredients.
Serving Temperature: Serve the Dragon Chicken hot for the best sensory experience. If it cools down, reheat gently on the stove or in a microwave to preserve the texture and flavor.
Flavor Enhancement and Other Considerations:
Nutty Flavor Enhancement: Cashews add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Sesame seeds, as an alternative or an additional garnish, offer a subtle nuttiness and enhance the dish's visual appeal.
Customizable Spice Level: Adjust the red chili paste to suit your heat tolerance. Red chili oil not only adds spice but also imparts a rich color and aromatic depth to the dish.
Health-Conscious Cooking: Skipping Ajinomoto (MSG) makes the dish more suitable for those with dietary restrictions or MSG sensitivities, without sacrificing the umami flavor.
Ingredient Freshness: Using fresh ginger and garlic enhances the depth of flavor, offering a fresher, more aromatic profile compared to pre-made pastes.
Oil Choices for Authenticity: Sesame oil lends an authentic Asian flavor, but using neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil maintains the dish's authentic taste without altering the flavor profile.
Heat Adjustments: Adjust red chili paste or oil to control the spice level while enhancing color and aroma. Increasing the chili paste or oil can intensify the heat, allowing you to finely balance it with the dish's sweet and savory flavors for a perfectly harmonized taste profile.