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Chicken Lollipops are fun, bite-sized portions of chicken that can be grilled or smoked. This article will teach you how to make lollipop chicken by either grilling or smoking. You will also learn how to make chicken lollipop from wings.
Baked chicken lollipop, or chicken lollipop without frying, is an easy and delicious way to make chicken as an appetizer or a side dish. Chicken lollipop is very popular in Chinese and Indian restaurants as an appetizer, but homemade is even better.
By making Chicken Lollipop at home, you can customize the taste of your sauce by choosing what kinds of spices you like, and you can be sure you’re using high-quality, healthy ingredients. If you’re wondering how to make chicken lollipop from wings, this article will teach you the best ways to prepare them.
What is the Difference between Chicken Lollipop and Drumstick?
Many people are confused about the difference between Chicken Lollipop and Chicken Drumsticks. It’s true that some Chicken Lollipops are made from chicken legs, just as drumsticks are. However, you can also make chicken lollipop from wings or drummettes.
While drumsticks have meat all along the bone, chicken lollipops are named for their lollipop-like appearance. This is achieved by removing the meat along a portion of the bone, so that it looks like the “stick,” while a round piece of meat is left at the top, forming the “lollipop.”
You can create a chicken lollipop from a chicken leg by cutting just below the knuckle, through the skin and tendons. Push all the meat down, towards the larger end of the leg, and remove any remaining cartilage from the knuckle. Don’t forget about the smaller bone right next to the leg! Carefully remove it and any tendons that are still sticking out.
Making chicken lollipops from wings is almost the same process. First, cut the wing into three parts along the joints. You won’t need the wing-tip, so feel free to throw it away. Create a lollipop from the upper, meatier part of the wing, called the drummette, by cutting along the thin end to separate the bone and meat. Just like the drumstick, push the meat down towards the larger end to create a lollipop.
For the middle part of the wing with two bones, called the winglet, separate the bones and cut along the bones so they’re no longer connected to the meat. Remove the smaller bone and push all the meat down again to create the lollipop.
No matter whether you make chicken lollipops from legs, drummettes, or winglets, they should all have that classic lollipop shape with a sphere of meat at the top and a bare bone below.
The Right Temperature for Grilling or Smoking Lollipop Chicken
Whether you’re grilling or smoking your chicken lollipops, it’s critical to monitor their temperature to make sure they cook through properly.
When grilling a chicken lollipop, make sure the meat reaches 165 to 180 degrees. If you’re using an oven to bake the lollipops, set the temperature to 450 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes. If you prefer to use a grill, set the temperature to 350 degrees and cook for about 15 minutes. Either way, make sure to check the temperature of the lollipops with a meat thermometer.
If you’re using a smoker to cook your lollipops, be sure to wait long enough for the smoker to come to temperature. Set the smoker to about 300 degrees to make sure the skin is crispy and easy to bite through. It will take about 2 hours for the lollipops to cook through and reach the proper temperature. After glazing the lollipops, put them back in the smoker for another 30 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
How to Grill the Chicken Lollipops?
First, prepare the wings or legs as detailed above. Make sure the “stick” is completely bare of cartilage, tendons, or meat.
Next, prepare a marinade. You can change the marinade to your taste however you like. Since chicken lollipops were originally an Indo-Chinese dish, it’s popular to use chili powder, soy sauce, and ginger paste in the marinade. Add other spices, such as paprika, if you like. Don’t forget the salt and pepper!
It’s also an option to soak the lollipops in buttermilk. Many people find this helps the lollipops stay soft and tender after you grill them.
Whatever your preference, let the lollipops marinade in the fridge for at least an hour. Make sure the marinade has been thoroughly stirred and covers the entire lollipop for the best flavor.
After the lollipops marinade, it’s time to grill! You can bake the lollipops in the oven, or grill them directly. If you prefer to bake, cook them for 20-22 minutes at 450 degrees. Otherwise, grill them at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the inside reaches about 170 degrees.
While the lollipops are cooking, make a sauce or glaze. Depending on your preferred flavor, this sauce can be whatever you like. It’s especially popular to use chili powder, sugar, ginger, garlic, onions, and soy sauce. You could also use a premade BBQ sauce if you prefer a more barbecue flavor.
Toss the cooked lollipops in a bowl of sauce. To prevent sticky hands, wrap a small piece of aluminium foil around the bottom of the “stick,” and garnish with green onion or other ingredients as desired.
How to Smoke the Chicken Lollipops?
If you prefer more barbecue flavor to your chicken lollipops, smoking them is also an option.
Prepare a dry rub for the chicken. You can use a pre-made, store-bought rub, or make one yourself by mixing 1 part salt to 1/2 part garlic and 1/4 part black pepper. Feel free to add any spices or other seasonings to taste, such as paprika, cumin, or chili powder. Spices like paprika and chili powder will lend beautiful color as well as flavor to your chicken lollipops.
After rubbing your lollipops, make sure to cover the bare bones in aluminium foil. This will prevent the bones from blackening and becoming brittle.
Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes. In the meantime, heat up the smoker to about 300 degrees. Melt a stick of butter in an aluminium pan and place the lollipops inside, meat down and the bones sticking up straight. The butter doesn’t need to cover the meat, but it will give the chicken a juicier and more delicious flavor.
Smoke the chicken for 30 minutes. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the lollipops to ensure they’re cooked through before you remove them from the smoker.
Dip the chicken lollipops in a glaze of your choice. BBQ sauce is perfect. Then put them back in the smoker for about 30 minutes to set the glaze and caramelize it, but check on the lollipops often in case they start to burn. By the time they’re done, the lollipops should have an internal temperature of 175 degrees.
How to Ensure Successful Grilling Lollipop Chicken at Home?
One of the most important parts of ensuring your chicken lollipops are a success is monitoring them for the proper temperature. The most accurate and convenient method for checking their temperature is by using a ThermoPro Meat Thermometer.
These thermometers are equipped with a long metal probe, an extremely fast read time, and a backlit display to make sure your chicken lollipops are cooked to perfection. With a read time of only a few seconds and a highly accurate measurement guarantee, ThermoPro thermometers are the best tool available for checking your chicken lollipop’s internal temperature.
Simply insert the metal probe into the lollipop near the bone to receive an accurate measurement almost instantly. Never worry about under or overcooking your chicken lollipops again with the ThermoPro Meat Thermometers.
Conclusion
Chicken lollipops are an easy, fun, and delicious addition to any party menu as an appetizer or a side dish. Kids and adults will both love the juicy flavor you’ll get from grilling or smoking these lollipops.
While cooking your chicken lollipops, be sure you have the right equipment to check their temperature and ensure they’re cooked through correctly. ThermoPro Meat Thermometers are the perfect choice for any home cook who’s looking to make delicious meat dishes like chicken lollipops. Their fast, accurate measurements and convenient features such as built-in timers and preset temperatures make them the best meat thermometers available.
Stop stressing over how long you need to cook your chicken lollipops today and get a ThermoPro thermometer today!
