Sweet n’ Spicy Chicken Lollipop Recipe
By Chicken Lollipop Recipe – These handy drumette lollipops are covered in fiery chilli garlic and sweet honey sauce for a delicious, fun, and highly impressive appetiser or party snack.
Why We Love this Wing Recipe
If you hear the phrase “lollipop chicken” and wonder to yourself, “Wait… what? You are not by yourself! Despite being a long-loved manner of preparing chicken, this cooking technique has just lately gained popularity in the United States.
So, what precisely are these delectable and convenient snacks? What is the point? “Chicken lollipops” is a whimsical term for “Frenched” chicken drumettes (and sometimes drumsticks). This simply means that the tops are trimmed so that the top bone is exposed, and the meat is packed securely in a round ball at the bottom.
This not only looks good, but it also makes the chicken drummies simpler to eat and enjoy!
But is it worth the extra effort to French the chicken drumettes? Absolutely!
Although technique requires some preparation, you will be delighted at how gourmet your chicken lollipops appear and how easily they slide off the bone. This is an excellent recipe for dinner parties or cocktail hour.
Pssst… If you have a nice butcher, you might even be able to get them to French the drumettes for you. It never hurts to inquire!
Ingredients You Need
- Drumettes, not drumsticks, of chicken
- Cornstarch and baking soda combine to form a dredging that crisps up the chicken skin.
- a sprinkle of salt to enhance the taste
- A thick and spicy sauce, chilli garlic sauce
- Honey – sweet and wonderful to complement the spiciness of the chilli garlic sauce
- melted Soy sauce, butter, or coconut aminos
- Smoked paprika – adds a mildly smoky taste to the chicken lollipop drumettes.
How to French Chicken
To begin, preheat the oven to 450°F. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lay out one drummie at a time to French the drumettes.
Cut the skin and tendons all the way around the thin part, or handle, of the chicken drumette with a sharp knife.
Then, using the knife, scrape around the bone to dislodge any excess tendon or flesh that is clinging to it. Push the meat to the bottom of the pan.
Turn the drumette on its side and work on the bottom.
Remove any extra meat or skin that is hanging off. (You’d like to make a ball.)
Then, carefully slice the tip of the bone flat so that it is level when stood on end.
On the first couple drumettes, this method will appear to be a chore. But you’ll get the hang of it quickly, and the process will accelerate significantly!
Place each drumette on the baking sheet, standing straight up, as you finish trimming them.
Set out a small dish once all of the drumettes have been clipped. In a mixing dish, combine the cornflour, baking soda, and salt. Then, one at a time, dip the meaty end of the drumette into the cornflour and roll it around to coat evenly.
Tap off the excess cornstarch mixture and set it back on the baking sheet.
Get the Full (Printable) Sweet & Spicy Lollipop Chicken Recipe + VIDEO Down Below. Enjoy!
When the timer goes off, remove the pan from the oven with caution. Pick up each drumette with a paper towel and carefully dunk in the sauce, just up to the top of the meat. Shake off any excess sauce and replace it on the baking sheet.
Repeat until all of the drumettes are coated.
Then, return the baking sheet to the oven for 10 minutes.
Remove the drumettes from the oven once again, and soak each one in the remaining sauce to coat the meat. Return to the baking sheet and repeat until all of the lollipops have been double dipped.
Then place the baking sheet back in the oven for 5 more minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet and spicy chicken lollipops are a wonderful party snack or appetiser. Guests enjoy collecting these small drumettes with their hands from a serving platter!
Serve with dipping sauces such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or another batch of chilli honey sauce. (Note: Do not serve with the same sauce in which the drumettes were dipped. Although the drummies are baked before dipping, they are not completely cooked when dunked.)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT’S THE POINT OF CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS?
This preparation method does not do anything to the taste of the chicken. However, it does make the drumettes easier to grab by the bone, makes the chicken slide off as you bite it, and looks fun and different from typical chicken wing appetizers.
DO YOU HAVE TO FRENCH THE DRUMETTES TO MAKE THIS RECIPE?
No, you can make this recipe with drumettes (or full chicken wings) just as they come in the package. But they will not look quite as tantalizing.
CAN I MAKE THIS CHICKEN LOLLIPOP RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME?
If prepping ahead for a party, the trimming and first 30-minute bake can be done 24 hours ahead of time. Store the chicken in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
