Asian Style Lollipop Chicken

I turn regular drumsticks into lollipops, season them well, and then wrap each one in crispy bacon. After a good grill, I brush on a sticky, smoky Korean-style sauce and throw them back on the heat to caramelize. These Asian-style lollipop chickens are juicy, bold, and absolutely addictive!

What are Chicken Lollipops Made of?

• Chicken drumsticks : Use skin-on drumsticks; trim the meat and push it down to create a lollipop shape by cutting around the bone near the base and pushing the meat toward the top.
• Salt : Sprinkle evenly over the lollipops to season the meat.
• Black pepper : Adds a mild heat and earthy flavor; rub onto the meat with the salt.
• Garlic powder : Boosts umami and depth; season generously along with the dry rub.
• Coconut sugar or brown sugar : Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavor.
• Coriander powder (optional) : Adds a warm, citrusy note if you want extra depth.
• Bacon : Wrap one slice around each lollipop after seasoning for smoky flavor and crispy texture when grilled.

How to Cut Chicken to Make Lollipops?

1. Locate the thin end of the drumstick: Hold the drumstick upright with the thinner bone end facing down. It will be the base of your lollipop.
2. Cut around the bone: Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut all the way around the drumstick about 1 inch above the bone end. Slice through the skin, meat, and tendons.
3. Pull the skin up: Grip the skin and tendons on the top part and carefully pull it up and take it off to expose the bone.
4. Clean the exposed bone: Scrape off any leftover meat or tendons from the exposed bone to keep it neat and prevent burning during cooking.
5. Push the meat down: Grip the meat and carefully push it down toward the thicker end, turning the drumstick inside out and forming a round “lollipop” shape at the bottom.
6. Trim the base for standing lollipops: If you want the lollipops to stand upright, slice a small piece off the end of the bone to create a flat, even surface. You can save the discarded trimmings to make chicken broth later.

How Long Do You Cook Chicken Lollipops for?

• On the grill : Grill the lollipop chicken at 350°F for 30 minutes; then brush with BBQ or Korean-style sauce and grill for another 10 minutes until caramelized.
• In the oven : Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes; then brush with sauce and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to let the glaze set.
• In a smoker : Smoke at 350°F for 30 minutes; then brush with BBQ sauce and smoke or grill for another 10 minutes for a smoky, caramelized finish.

Asian Style BBQ Sauce of Chicken Lollipops.

• Minced garlic : Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor that enhances the overall richness of the sauce.
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste) : Brings bold umami, heat, and a slight sweetness that creates the signature Korean BBQ flavor.
• Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) : Adds a smoky, mildly spicy kick and beautiful red color to the sauce.
• Soy sauce : Provides saltiness and umami, balancing the sweetness and heat.
• Maple syrup : Gives the sauce a glossy finish and just enough sweetness to balance the spice and salt.
• Ketchup : Use small amount but add a little tang to the sauce.
• Green onion : Adds freshness and a mild oniony flavor that brightens the sauce.

To make the sauce: Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute, just until the garlic softens and the flavors meld. Then it’s ready to brush onto your lollipop chicken.

Related Recipes

• Gai Yang : Thai Grilled Chicken
• Sotteok Sotteok : Rice Cake and Sausage skewers. Same sauce as this lollipop chicken recipe.
• Moo Ping : Thai Grilled Pork Skewer
• Sticky Asian Pork Ribs
• 45 Minutes Tender BBQ Ribs

Asian Style Lollipop Chicken

Mary Thatcher

I turn regular drumsticks into lollipops, season them well, and then wrap each one in crispy bacon. After a good grill, I brush on a sticky, smoky Korean-style sauce and throw them back on the heat to caramelize. These Asian-style lollipop chickens are juicy, bold, and absolutely addictive!

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American inspire, Asian Inspire

Servings 3 servings

Calories 567 kcal

Equipment

• 6 toothpicks (optional for securing the bacon strips onto the drumsticks.)

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 drumsticks
• ½ tbsp salt
• ½ tbsp garlic powder
• ½ tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• ½ tsp pepper (ground black or white pepper)
• ½ tsp coriander powder (optional)
• 6 strips bacon

For the Asian Style Sauce

• 1 tbsp Gochujang paste (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 6 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp chopped green onion

Instructions

 

• Prepare the drumsticks: Locate the thin end of the drumstick and hold it upright with the thinner bone end facing down; this will be the base of your lollipop.
• Cut around the bone: Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut all the way around the drumstick about 1 inch above the bone end; slice through the skin, meat, and tendons to loosen the flesh.
• Pull the skin up: Grip the skin and tendons at the top part of the drumstick and carefully pull them upward and off to expose the bone; this creates a clean bone handle.
• Clean the exposed bone: Scrape off any remaining meat or tendons from the exposed bone using the back of your knife. This keeps the bone neat and prevents burning during cooking.
• Push the meat down: Use your hand to push the meat down toward the thicker end; this turns the drumstick inside out and forms a round “lollipop” shape at the bottom.
• Trim the base for standing lollipops: Slice a small piece off the end of the bone to create a flat, even base; this helps the lollipops stand upright when serving. Save the trimmed pieces to make chicken broth later.
• Season the chicken: Rub salt, black pepper, garlic powder, coconut or brown sugar, and optional coriander powder all over the drumstick; gently lift the skin and rub some seasoning underneath for extra flavor.
• Marinate briefly: Let the seasoned chicken lollipops rest for at least 5 minutes; this gives the spices time to absorb into the meat before wrapping and cooking.
• Wrap with bacon: Take one slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each chicken lollipop. Secure it with a toothpick if needed to keep the bacon in place during cooking.
• Make the Korean-style BBQ sauce: Combine gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, soy sauce, ketchup, maple syrup, and green onion in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat for about 1 minute until the garlic softens and the flavors meld. Let the sauce cool and set aside.
• Cook the chicken: Grill, bake, or smoke the bacon-wrapped lollipops at 350°F for 30 minutes. (Bake at 400 degrees. Grill or smoke at 350 degrees.) Cook until the internal temperature reaches 170–175°F and the bacon is cooked through.
• Glaze and finish: Brush each lollipop generously with the Korean-style sauce; continue cooking for another 10 minutes to caramelize the glaze and crisp the bacon.
• Serve: Plate the lollipops with a side of salad, steamed rice, and any extra Korean BBQ sauce from earlier. Enjoy while hot and sticky!

Video

@stickyricethaikitchen

Save my Asian Lollipop Chicken Recipe so that you can turn a cheaper cut of meat into something party worthy. Ingredients 6 drumsticks ½ tbsp salt ½ tbsp garlic powder ½ tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar) ½ tsp pepper (ground black or white pepper) ½ tsp coriander powder (optional) 6 strips bacon For the Asian Style Sauce 1 tbsp Gochujang paste (Korean chili paste) 1 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp ketchup 6 tbsp pure maple syrup 2 tbsp chopped green onion More details about cooking methods from oven to grill and smoke : https://stickyricethaikitchen.com/lollipop-chicken/

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Nutrition

Serving: 2drumsticksCalories: 567kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 34gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 2046mgPotassium: 640mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 944IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 2mg

Keyword chicken lollipop, chicken lollippop recipe, lollipop chicken

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