Chicken Lollipop is a crispy, juicy appetizer that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. This popular dish takes chicken wings or drumsticks and transforms them into bite-sized, restaurant-style treats.
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What makes Chicken Lollipop stand out is its unique presentation—chicken winglets are shaped like lollipops, coated in a spicy batter, and fried to golden perfection. You can choose the classic deep-fried version for extra crunch or go for the grilled option for a smoky flavor with less oil.
For even more flavor, toss the lollipops in Szechuan sauce for a sweet and spicy twist. Whether you use winglets or drumsticks, this dish is a must-try for any occasion!
Explore More Fried Chicken and Indo-Chinese Recipes:
- Fried Chicken
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Korean Fried Chicken
- Szechuan Chicken
- Dragon Chicken
- Chicken Manchurian
- Chilli Chicken
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
For this Chicken Lollipop recipe, you can easily find most of the ingredients at your local Indian grocery store. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients for Marination
- Chicken Drumsticks: Use drumsticks shaped into a lollipop by pushing the meat up the bone. Drumettes are also great, but drumsticks work just as well.
- Spice Powders: A mix of chili, turmeric, coriander, and pepper powders brings a flavorful heat to the chicken.
- Ginger Garlic Paste: Essential for removing any raw meat aroma and enhancing flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Adds that signature savory, Indo-Chinese touch to the marinade.
- Flour and Egg: A combination of all-purpose flour, corn starch, and egg creates a perfect coating, helping the spices stick while keeping the chicken crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
Ingredients for Seasoning
- Garlic and Onion: When you sauté garlic and onion, they release a rich flavor and aroma that adds depth to the dish.
- Szechuan Sauce and Ketchup: Mixing Szechuan sauce and ketchup gives the chicken a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.
- Spring Onions: You can add some spring onions on top as a garnish. It’s optional but gives a nice, fresh crunch to the dish.
How to Make Chicken Lollipop at Home?
Let’s make this Chicken Lollipop with our simple recipe, featuring step-by-step photos and a helpful video guide. We’ll begin by marinating the chicken, then fry it to crispy perfection. For extra flavor, you can also toss the chicken in sautéed onions with sauce. Let’s get started!
Enjoy a Variety of Chicken Recipes:
- Chicken Nuggets
- Fried Chicken Wings
- Chicken Cutlets
- Chicken 65
- Chicken Pakora
- Tandoori Chicken
- Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Chicken Lollipop
Chicken Lollipop, a delicious Indo-Chinese starter, features crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks shaped like lollipops. Marinated in a spicy blend, fried to perfection, and tossed in a flavorful seasoning sauce, it's a perfect choice for lunch or dinner. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles.
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Ingredients
For Marination
- 7 Chicken Lollipop, made from drumsticks, or wings
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1½ tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Pepper Powder
- 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 Egg
For Frying
- Oil, for deep frying
For Seasoning Sauce
- 2 tsp Oil
- 1 tsp Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp Szechuan Sauce
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Vinegar
- Spring Onion, to garnish
Instructions
Marinating Chicken Lollipop
- Combine the prepared chicken lollipop pieces, turmeric, chili, coriander, pepper powder, ginger garlic paste, soy sauce, and salt in a bowl. (Note: See the tips below to get the perfect lollipop shape from drumsticks or wings).
- Make sure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the masala mix. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- After the marinating time, add all-purpose flour, corn starch, and egg to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly, making sure each piece is well coated. This flour mixture helps the spices bind to the chicken during frying, giving it a crispy finish.
Frying the Chicken
- Gently place the marinated chicken lollipop pieces into medium-heated oil. Fry them for about 7 to 10 minutes, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will help the chicken cook evenly and become crispy.
- After 7 to 10 minutes, carefully flip the chicken pieces and continue frying for another 10 minutes, or until they turn a nice golden brown color. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Once the chicken lollipops are fried to crispy perfection, use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Serve them hot right away, or set them aside if you're planning to toss them in seasoning or sauce for extra flavor, which we will do in the next step.
Preparing Seasoning Sauce
- Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, or until it becomes fragrant.
- Add the chopped onion to the pan and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and turns slightly golden.
- Once the onions are ready, stir in the Szechuan sauce, ketchup, and vinegar. Mix everything well to make sure the flavors are evenly combined. Let it cook for a minute or two to thicken slightly, then it’s ready for tossing with the chicken.
Coating the Chicken
- Add the fried Chicken Lollipops to the pan with the seasoning sauce, gently tossing them to make sure each piece is evenly coated with the sauce. Toss for a minute or two until the chicken is well covered.
- Finish by sprinkling chopped spring onions over the top for a fresh crunch, then remove the pan from the heat. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste!
Serving
- Serve this lip-smacking Chicken Lollipop as is, or pair it with fried rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal. For more pairing ideas, check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Here are some tips that will help you make the best Chicken Lollipop:
Preparing the Chicken Lollipops:
- For drumsticks: Start by cutting around the thin end of each drumstick. Gently push the meat upwards toward the thicker end, letting it gather and form a lollipop shape. If needed, use a sharp knife to loosen the meat, ensuring the bone is mostly clean on one end with the meat gathered at the other.
- For Wings: You can use both the wingette and drumette to create lollipop shapes. For the wingette, cut around the thinner end and gently push the meat down toward the thicker end to form the lollipop shape. Remove the smaller bone, leaving just one bone for easy handling. For the drumette, since it already has only one bone, simply push the meat down toward the thicker end to shape it into a lollipop.
- Adjusting for Wing Lollipops: If you're using the ingredients for drumstick lollipops with wings, keep in mind that wings are smaller. The ingredients listed are for 7 drumsticks, but the same amount can make about 10-12 lollipop wings. Also, adjust the cooking time to 5-7 minutes, as wings cook faster than drumsticks.
Cooking Tips:
- Drumstick Lollipop: Although traditional recipes often use drumettes or wings, drumsticks shaped into lollipops are a great alternative. They provide a larger, meatier bite and are perfect if you want a heartier option.
- Preventing Hard Chicken: To keep the chicken tender and juicy, soak it in buttermilk or a yogurt drink for about 30 minutes before marinating. This step helps soften the meat, making sure it doesn’t turn out tough after frying.
- BBQ Version: If you prefer a BBQ twist, grill the chicken instead of frying it. You can brush on BBQ sauce while grilling to get a smoky, caramelized flavor that adds a whole new flavor to the dish.
- Sauce Variations: While Szechuan sauce is a great option, don’t hesitate to experiment with other sauces like chili sauce, buffalo sauce, or your favorite Chinese-inspired sauces. This lets you customize the flavor to suit your personal taste.
Nutrition Info
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Serving Suggestions
Chicken Lollipops make a great starter or appetizer on their own. For a more filling meal, you can also pair them with different rice dishes. Here are my top suggestions that are sure to be a hit.
- For a Complete Meal: Pair them with fried rice, egg fried rice, Szechuan fried rice, chicken fried rice, or noodles. These combinations will create a complete and satisfying meal.
- Dipping Sauces: If you haven't tossed the chicken in sauce, serve with a side of sweet chili sauce, garlic aioli, or Szechuan sauce for extra flavor.
- Salads: A fresh cucumber or cabbage slaw can add a crunchy and refreshing contrast to the spicy lollipops.
- Veggie Stir-Fry: Pair them with a light vegetable stir-fry and plain rice to balance out the richness of the dish and add more nutrients.
Storage Suggestions
I always recommend enjoying Chicken Lollipops fresh for the best flavor and texture. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to a day. Just be sure to reheat them before your next meal, and they’ll still taste delicious!
Desicart
Yum! This looks so delicious and tasty!
Sangeetha Vel
Thank you!