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–+ servings
platter of lollipop chicken drumsticks.
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5 from 2 votes

Chicken Lollipop Drumsticks

Chicken lollipop drumsticks are a popular party food, appetizer or main course. SO much less messy to handle than regular chicken drumsticks, and great with a variety of dipping sauces.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Marinating30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 appetizers
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Kelly Bloom
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 large chicken drumsticks
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup or substitute with tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Lollipop the Drumsticks

  • Rinse and dry the chicken drumsticks. Cut off the joint at the foot end with a sharp knife.
    6 large chicken drumsticks
  • Make incisions near where the joint was and pull tendons and meat downward toward the fat end of the drumstick.

Marinate

  • Put the trimmed chicken drumsticks in a bowl and add the salt, chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, ketchup (or tomato paste), soy sauce, lemon juice, paprika, and olive oil.
    ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • Stir to mix and coat the chicken lollipops, set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for extra flavor.

Air Fry or Bake

  • Set your air fryer at 370F, or your conventional oven to 400F.
  • Place the chicken on a rack in the air fryer or on a baking tray for your conventional oven.
  • Bake 20 minutes in the air fryer, and then flip, baste, and cook for an additional 10 minutes. If using the conventional oven, bake for 30 to 35 minutes, then check with an Instant Read meat thermometer.
  • Chicken lollipops are ready to remove from the air fryer or oven when the thermometer reads 165F, or the meat juices run clear when pierced in the thickest part of one the largest lollipop.

Notes

  • The lollipop chicken legs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat the chicken lollipops, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, bake at 350 or air fry the chicken until it is heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 469mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 311IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg