Elevate your barbecue game with our irresistible smoked lollipop chicken recipe. Perfectly tender meat with a caramelized glaze, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next cookout.
Course
Main Course
Prep Time20minutes
Cook Time3hours
Servings4
Ingredients
For the Chicken Lollipops:
16chicken drumettes
2cupsof your favorite barbecue sauce
2tablespoonsolive oil
1teaspoonpaprika
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspooncayenne pepper
Wooden lollipop sticks
For the Rub:
2tablespoonspaprika
1tablespoongarlic powder
1tablespoononion powder
1teaspooncayenne pepper
For Smoking:
3-4cupsof applewood or hickory wood chips
Water panfor the smoker
Smoker thermometer
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken Lollipops
Begin by preparing the chicken drumettes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut around the base of the bone, scraping the meat down to create a lollipop shape. Push the meat downward to form a compact lollipop.
Mix the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl to create a marinade. Toss the chicken lollipops in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
Firing Up the Smoker
Fire up your smoker and preheat it to 225°F (107°C). While the smoker is heating, soak the wood chips in water for about 30 minutes. Drain them before using.
Creating the Rub
Mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in another mixing bowl to create your rub mixture.
Smoking the Chicken Lollipops
Remove the chicken lollipops from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the rub adhere better.
Generously coat each chicken lollipop with the rub mixture, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
When the smoker reaches a steady 225°F (107°C), add the soaked wood chips to the smoker box or directly onto the coals.
Place the chicken lollipops on the smoker grates, ensuring they are not touching. Insert a wooden lollipop stick into each lollipop for easy handling.
Close the smoker and maintain a temperature of 225°F (107°C). Smoke the chicken lollipops for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
Adding That Finishing Touch
In the last half-hour of smoking, brush a generous amount of your favorite barbecue sauce onto the chicken lollipops. This will give them that delicious caramelized glaze.
Serving Up Smoky Perfection
Once the chicken lollipops are done, carefully remove them from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes.
Serve your smoked lollipop chicken hot with your favorite BBQ sides, like coleslaw, mac and cheese, or cornbread. Get ready to watch your guests devour these delicious creations!