Description
Crispy Southern chicken lollipops deliver a mouthwatering blend of spicy and savory flavors. Zesty marinades and perfect coating techniques ensure restaurant-quality results that will delight you at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 to 8 chicken legs (2 lbs or 907 g)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground pepper (or to taste)
- 4 tsp baking powder or cornstarch (optional)
- 1 cup homemade BBQ sauce (or your favorite store-bought sauce, plus more if needed)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously transform chicken drumsticks into elegant lollipop shapes by skillfully separating meat from bone’s lower end, pushing meat downward to create a distinctive rounded appearance while maintaining clean workspace.
- Seasoning Fusion: Develop a robust spice blend by thoroughly mixing dried herbs, ground spices, and powdered seasonings in a wide mixing bowl, ensuring comprehensive ingredient incorporation and uniform distribution.
- Coating Technique: Envelop each chicken lollipop completely with the prepared spice mixture, utilizing gentle rolling motions to achieve comprehensive and consistent coverage, then shield exposed bone sections with aluminum foil to prevent potential scorching.
- Roasting Process: Arrange seasoned chicken lollipops on a lined baking sheet with strategic spacing to facilitate optimal heat circulation, then roast in a preheated oven at 375°F for approximately 35-40 minutes, ensuring a golden exterior develops.
- Flavor Enhancement: Liberally apply tangy BBQ sauce to each lollipop during the final roasting stage, allowing caramelization to intensify flavor profile and create a glossy, appetizing appearance.
- Final Verification: Confirm chicken’s readiness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F using a precise meat thermometer, then briefly rest the lollipops to allow juices to redistribute.
- Presentation: Elegantly plate chicken lollipops, garnishing with freshly chopped herbs for visual appeal and subtle flavor complexity, accompanying with additional BBQ sauce for dipping and serving.
Notes
- Bone-Trimming Technique: Master the art of transforming drumsticks into elegant lollipop shapes by carefully separating meat from bone’s lower end, creating a distinctive rounded appearance.
- Seasoning Strategy: Blend dried herbs and ground spices thoroughly in a wide mixing bowl to create a robust, evenly distributed flavor profile.
- Foil Protection Trick: Shield exposed bone sections with aluminum foil to prevent burning during high-temperature roasting, ensuring perfect cooking and presentation.
- Temperature Precision: Always confirm chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F using a reliable meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked chicken lollipops.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg