Hey, barbecue family! Kenyatta Robinson here, bringing you another mouth-watering recipe straight from the BackyardSmokeMaster Barbecue Podcast. Tune in every Friday at 7 p.m. Pacific, 10 p.m. Eastern, for more BBQ tips and discussions.

The $15 BBQ Challenge

On a recent podcast episode, we had a lively discussion about ways to have a fantastic barbecue on a budget. Comments were jumping off, and Joe from Q Bellies BBQ raised an intriguing challenge: What kind of BBQ meal could you prepare with just $15? While many folks suggested pork options due to their affordability, I was curious about Joe’s take. To my delight, he introduced us to the fantastic world of chicken drumsticks, specifically chicken lollipops.

Why Chicken Lollipops?

Joe’s suggestion got me thinking—chicken lollipops have become a barbecue classic, and yet, I hadn’t done a video on them. The magic of chicken lollipops lies not only in their taste but also in their presentation; they just look so darn cool! Without further ado, let’s dive into making chicken lollipops.

Preparation

The key to making these lollipop chicken drumsticks is all in the preparation. We’re going to transform standard drumsticks into lollipops—here’s how:

  1. Cutting Around the Bone: Start by cutting all the way around the skinny part of the drumstick bone. This part generally doesn’t have much good meat, and removing it makes the drumstick look like a lollipop. Don’t forget to get rid of the tendons too.
  2. Handling the Meat: A paper towel can help get a good grip on the drumstick. Use it to pull and work the meat off the bone. This might take a bit of effort, but it’s manageable.
  3. Forming the Handle and Removing Skin: Once you’ve pulled the meat off, it forms the handle of the lollipop. Push the remaining meat downward and remove any extra skin. Repeat this process for all your drumsticks. It’s the most labor-intensive part, but it’s well worth the effort!

Adding Flavor with a Brine

To ensure your chicken lollipops have flavor inside and out, brine them for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Here’s a simple brine method:

  1. Meat Church BBQ’s Bird Baptism Brine: Fill a briner bucket with a gallon of water and add one cup of the brine mix. Whisk thoroughly to dissolve the brine.
  2. Submerging the Drumsticks: Place the chicken lollipops in the bucket, ensuring each piece is fully submerged. Lock the bucket and refrigerate for one hour.

Grilling the Chicken Lollipops

Once the brining process is complete, it’s time to prepare your grill:

  1. Patting Dry and Seasoning: Take the chicken lollipops out of the brine and pat them dry with a paper towel. I’ve been enjoying the SuckleBuster’s Texas Pecan Rub lately, which complements the lollipop theme with its sweet flavor. Feel free to use your favorite rub.
  2. Preheating the Grill: Preheat your grill to 325 degrees. This temperature helps achieve the perfect balance in the chicken skin’s texture, preventing it from being too chewy.
  3. Grilling Process: Place the lollipops either in a chicken rack or directly on the grill. Grill them for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Final Touch: BBQ Sauce Glaze

Before finishing, add a final layer of flavor with a BBQ sauce glaze:

  1. Dipping in Warm BBQ Sauce: Warm up your favorite BBQ sauce—I used Blue’s Hog Champions Blend—and dip each lollipop into it. This gives the lollipops a candy-like appearance and an extra burst of flavor.
  2. Additional Cooking: After coating, place the lollipops back on the smoker for another 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to become nice and sticky.

The Moment of Truth

After patiently creating your chicken lollipops, it’s time for the moment of truth. Taste test them and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I found these to be sweet, almost like a chicken dessert, and perfect for any BBQ gathering. Jeannine, who joined me for the taste test, also loved them for their juicy and sweet flavor.

Conclusion

Chicken lollipops are visually impressive and incredibly delicious. They might demand some effort, but the results are well worth it. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next BBQ party.

I encourage you to give this recipe a try. If you do, leave your comments and thoughts below. And don’t forget to tune in to the Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ Podcast every Friday to continue the BBQ discussions and discover more fantastic recipes.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are based on Kenyatta’s personal experience and reviews. Some links above may be affiliate links.