American Meathead

Chicken

Lollipop Chicken Recipe: Step-by-Step Recipe

By Jim "Smokehouse" Daniels · June 20, 2024 · 11 min read

Indulge in a delightful culinary adventure with lollipop chicken, a versatile dish with an Asian flair. From marinating to shaping, breading to serving, this article provides a comprehensive guide. Discover storage tips and reheating techniques to savor the flavors long after it’s cooked.

Browse Chicken →

Key Takeaways

  • Lollipop chicken is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional chicken drumsticks, perfect for parties or a tasty dinner option.
  • The recipe is versatile, allowing for customization with various flavors like sweet and tangy or spicy.
  • Essential ingredients for the lollipop chicken recipe include chicken drumettes, seasonings, and breading components.
  • Proper tools and equipment, such as a chef’s knife, mixing bowls, and an oven, are necessary for efficient cooking.
  • Make-ahead instructions can help streamline the cooking process, ensuring the lollipop chicken is ready to cook when needed.
  • Serving suggestions like sweet and sour glaze, spicy Sriracha dip, or citrus salad can elevate the dish and impress guests.

Ingredients

Get ready to elevate your chicken game with this lollipop chicken recipe that combines crispy breading with juicy chicken in a delightful and fun shape. The ingredients you’ll need are listed below:

For the Chicken

  • 8 chicken drumettes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Marinade

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

For the Breading

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Optional: chopped scallions for garnish

Gathering these ingredients will set you on the path to creating a crowd-pleasing dish that will be a hit at any gathering or as a fun family meal.

Required Tools and Equipment

When venturing into the world of making delectable lollipop chicken, having the right tools and equipment in your kitchen arsenal will ensure a smooth cooking process. Here are the essentials you’ll need to create this crowd-pleasing dish:

Tools:

  1. Chef’s Knife: for cutting and prepping the chicken drumettes.
  2. Cutting Board: to provide a stable surface for cutting ingredients.
  3. Mixing Bowls: for combining the marinade ingredients and the breading mixture.
  4. Whisk: to thoroughly mix the marinade ingredients.
  5. Tongs: for turning and handling the chicken pieces during cooking.
  6. Baking Sheet: to bake or broil the lollipop chicken in the oven.
  7. Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil: for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
  8. Saucepan: to prepare the flavorful sauce for coating the chicken.
  9. Silicone Basting Brush: for evenly coating the chicken with the sauce.
  1. Oven: for baking or broiling the lollipop chicken.
  2. Stovetop: to cook the sauce for the chicken.
  3. Grater: for grating ginger and garlic for the marinade.
  4. Measuring Spoons and Cups: for precise ingredient measurements.
  5. Zip-Top Plastic Bags or Container: for marinating the chicken drumettes.
  6. Wire Rack: if broiling the chicken to allow even heat circulation.

Gather these tools and equipment before you start your lollipop chicken recipe adventure to ensure a delightful cooking experience.

Make-Ahead Instructions

When preparing lollipop chicken in advance, you can save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. Follow these simple steps to streamline your cooking process and have your lollipop chicken ready when you need it:

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Begin by marinating the chicken drumettes in soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Place the drumettes in a zip-top plastic bag or container, pour the marinade over them, seal, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for enhanced flavor.
  2. Prepare the Breading: You can also prepare the breading mixture ahead of time. Combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings in a bowl, mix well, and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
  3. Make the Sauce: If you’re planning to make a dipping sauce for the lollipop chicken, prepare the sauce in advance. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan, simmer until slightly thickened, then let it cool before transferring it to a container for refrigeration.

By following these make-ahead instructions, you can significantly reduce your cooking time and ensure that your lollipop chicken is ready to be cooked to perfection when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Prep Work

Prepping the Chicken

  1. Start by cleaning and trimming the chicken drumettes. Remove any excess skin or fat.
  2. Carefully push the chicken meat down to the thick end of the drumette to create the lollipop shape.
  3. Optionally, you can use a paring knife to scrape the bone clean for a neater presentation.
  4. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating.

Making the Marinade

  1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a drizzle of sesame oil.
  2. Mix the ingredients well until the honey is fully dissolved and the marinade is cohesive.
  3. Place the chicken drumettes in a resealable plastic bag or a bowl, pour the marinade over them, and coat each drumette evenly.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight for more flavor infusion.
  1. To make the dipping sauce, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, a dash of sesame oil, chopped scallions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds in a small bowl.
  2. Stir the ingredients until well combined, and adjust the taste by adding more honey or soy sauce as needed.
  3. Cover the sauce and refrigerate until ready to serve with the lollipop chicken. Enjoy!

Marinating the Chicken

To ensure your lollipop chicken bursts with flavor, marinating is key. Let’s dive into the steps for infusing your chicken lollipops with a delectable blend of soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by cleaning and trimming the chicken drumettes to shape them into lollipops. This not only enhances presentation but also helps the marinade penetrate the meat evenly.
  2. Create the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences.
  3. Marinating Process: Place the shaped chicken lollipops in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated evenly. For optimal flavor infusion, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. For richer taste, marinate overnight.
  4. Enhancing Flavor: To intensify the flavors further, consider massaging the marinade into the chicken periodically during the marinating process.
  5. Storage Tip: If you plan to marinate the chicken overnight, cover the dish or seal the bag securely before placing it in the refrigerator. This helps prevent any leaks and ensures the chicken stays fresh.

With these steps, your lollipop chicken will soak up the savory goodness of the marinade, ready to be transformed into a delightful culinary masterpiece.

Breading the Chicken

  1. Prepare the Dredging Station:
  • Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, beat eggs with a little water. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with your favorite seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  1. Coat the Chicken:
  • Take a marinated chicken drumette and coat it evenly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the drumette generously with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs.
  1. Repeat for All Drumettes:
  • Repeat the