Take your barbecue game to the next level with these chicken lollipops! Trust us, grill masters.
People Are Making Chicken Lollipops, and It’s Definitely a Trend Worth Trying
Updated on Oct. 06, 2021
For me, barbecue is easily one of the best ways to enjoy chicken breasts, thighs, wings and drumsticks. In fact, just throw the whole bird on the grill! For fans of chicken tikka masala and chicken Parmesan, I know how controversial that is, claiming that a basic summer cookout is the best way to cook chicken. But I love when spicy-sweet sauce and tender, grilled chicken come together. The magic of barbecue that follows is irresistible—and chicken lollipops are no exception.
What Are Chicken Lollipops?
They’re drumsticks marinated, grilled and glazed to perfection. The shape resembles a lollipop. To be totally transparent, these aren’t actually candied pieces of chicken. The layers of barbecue sauce that glaze the chicken do create a sort of candied, sweet heat flavor, though!
How to Make Chicken Lollipops
For home cooks like myself, I know how easy it can be to fall into the comfort of familiarity, especially with something like grilling. We cook the same recipes, the same way, using a method that we know works. But it’s time to step outside your comfort zone and try something fresh. To start your new favorite chicken recipe, assemble the following materials:
- Bowl
- Knife
- Large zip-close bag
Ingredients
- Pack of chicken drumsticks
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Sriracha
- Vinegar
- Oyster sauce
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the chicken lollipops
With clean hands, take each drumstick and use a sharp knife to make a cut around the bone, near the knuckle. Slide the meat as far as you can down to the opposite end, and then peel the leftover skin and fat over the knuckle and discard. You should have meat on one end, visible bone on the other.
Step 2: Make the brine
Combine soy sauce with the juice of one lemon and freshly grated garlic to make a brine for your chicken. Place your prepared drumsticks in a large zip-close bag and pour the brine over them. Seal, place in the fridge in a position where all the chicken pieces are evenly covered with brine and let sit for up to a few hours.
Step 3: Make the sauce
In a bowl—or something like a Mason jar—mix together splashes of soy sauce, honey, sriracha, vinegar and oyster sauce. If you have a barbecue sauce on hand that you swear by, feel free to use that. Just pour a good amount of it into the bowl and you’re set.
Step 4: Grill and baste
You’ll want to cook your chicken lollipops over indirect heat so that the fat renders properly, so set up your charcoal on only one side of the grill. Cook the chicken on the opposite side for about 45 minutes at 325°F, then carefully dunk each one into the bowl of sauce that you made earlier. Evenly coat the chicken lollipops with sauce, just like you’re making a candy apple!
Continue the dunking process every 15 minutes until the internal temperature of your drumsticks reaches 175°. By then, you’ll have a glistening, barbecue sauce glaze on your chicken lollipops. All that’s left to do is add some BBQ sides of your choice. Enjoy!
50 of Our Best Grilled Chicken Recipes
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Huli Huli ChickenFor a grilled chicken recipe that's simple and delicious, look no further than this huli huli chicken recipe. It takes just 15 minutes to prep, then an overnight marinade locks in those brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce flavors.
This is one of our best chicken recipes.
Favorite Barbecued ChickenIs there a place better than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Lime ButterThis grilled chicken gets a lovely pop of color and flavor from the lime butter—don't skip it! —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Tandoori Spiced Chicken Pita Pizza with Greek Yogurt and CilantroMy family and I are big picnickers, and I'm always looking for new dishes to try in the great outdoors. The amazing flavors at our favorite Indian restaurant inspired these mini pizzas. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
How to Grill Chicken BreastsLearn how to grill chicken breast for the easiest summer dinner. The days of dull, dry chicken are over. 
Grilled Greek Lemon ChickenThis grilled Greek lemon chicken is so easy to make yet so full of flavor! The lemon and oregano flavors shine in this simple dish. It pairs perfectly with some roasted vegetables or a side salad. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Peanut Butter Chicken SkewersPeanut butter gets a chance to shine in this simple grilled chicken recipe. We love this dish's rich, savory flavor that shines on its own or when paired with rice.
Grilled Caesar Chicken BreastsThis grilled chicken recipe may just be the easiest dinner you ever make. A bottle of creamy Caesar salad dressing—plus pantry staples like olive oil, mustard and garlic—transform boneless skinless chicken breasts into a savory, effortless meal.
Grilled Teriyaki ChickenFor a meal that rivals a restaurant, look no further than this teriyaki grilled chicken recipe. We love that it's an easy meal for two, and that it takes just 15 minutes to prep. Serve it with your favorite takeout side, like lo mein noodles, fried rice or egg rolls.
Barbecued Chicken Salad SandwichesNo picnic is complete without this fuss-free barbecued chicken salad. Prep takes just 15 minutes, making this grilled chicken recipe almost as easy as picking up store-bought sammies. Serve 'em with potato chips and fresh fruit.
Chicken Souvlaki PitasGo Greek! These chicken souvlaki pitas make for a light, delicious meal that's perfect for summer. Enjoy this grilled chicken recipe on the patio or as part of a picnic.
Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken SandwichesBasic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Strawberry Chicken SaladJuicy berries, crisp sugar snap peas and crunchy pecans complement the lime-marinated chicken in this pretty salad. The homemade sweet-sour dressing is simply delicious. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Grilled Glazed DrummiesMy family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Pit-masters, listen up. You'll appreciate these other tasty grilling recipes.
Grilled Lemon ChickenMy chicken gets its subtle pucker from lemonade concentrate. So simple, so sweet! —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
Need more inspiration? Anyone can master these easy grilling recipes.
Grilled Chicken Ranch BurgersThis is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
Grilled Buttermilk ChickenI created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this releases the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
This delicious tastes like summer, as do these warm-weather grilling recipes.
Ramen-Veggie Chicken SaladLike a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina
Cinnamon Whiskey BBQ Chicken WrapsChicken, bacon, cheese and an amazing barbecue sauce make this a family favorite! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Shiitake-Chicken SlidersMy husband and I love Asian cuisine. One of our favorite things to order at a Thai restaurant is chicken satay skewers with spicy peanut sauce. These chicken sliders are a fun variation on the skewers. They're moist and flavorful with the addition of shiitake mushrooms, and topped with the spicy-sweet peanut sauce and tangy cucumber slices. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada
Margarita Chicken QuesadillasQuesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. This version is the perfect recipe for a summer party—or a fantastic way to bring a little bit of summer into the cold winter months. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Balsamic ChickenTangy, juicy and delicious balsamic chicken is what's for dinner.
Chicken Foil PacketsThese herbed chicken foil packets are individually portioned and conveniently cooked in the oven, perfect for meal prep.
Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado SauceI’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Tropical Island ChickenThe marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee
Spicy Lemon Chicken KabobsWhen I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Can-Can ChickenHere's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
Jalapeno-Lime Chicken DrumsticksBottled hot sauce isn't my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico
Grilled Cherry-Glazed Chicken WingsWhen I take these grilled wings to events, there are never any leftovers! Friends and family love them. —Ashley Gable, Atlanta, Georgia
Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry VinaigretteWe love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
Grilled Basil Chicken and TomatoesRelax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard ChickenI came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Berry Chicken SaladBright berries and creamy goat cheese make this one a winner! —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted ChickenI love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio
Chicken with Peach-Cucumber SalsaTo keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
Rhubarb-Apricot Barbecued ChickenSpringtime brings back memories of the rhubarb that grew beside my childhood home. When I found ruby red stalks in the store, I created this recipe for them. My family gives this a big thumbs up. —Laurie Hudson, Westville, Florida
Caribbean ChickenYou'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade this flavorful at any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your crew's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida
Barbecued Picnic ChickenI like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Apple Thyme ChickenApples and chicken may seem like an unusual combination, but they make a wonderful meal when grilled to perfection. The thyme chicken marinade gives a boost of flavor and tenderizes the meat nicely. —Peter Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas
Grilled Chicken FAQ
How do you grill chicken without drying it out?
Chicken thighs are usually juicier than breasts, which are a leaner cut of the poultry. Chicken breasts are great for reducing fat in your meal, but they can quickly dry out. To help grilled breasts stay juicy, consider brining your chicken before grilling it. Brining is simply placing your raw chicken breast in salt water before grilling it. Marinating your chicken in salad dressings or marinades overnight will also help tenderize them and lock in the moisture.
Is grilled chicken healthy?
Grilled chicken is a healthy option for most people. It is packed with lean protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. This makes it a wonderful swap for fattier meats like steak or pork. A bonus is that grilled chicken pairs with so many other healthy sides like couscous and broccoli, grilled zucchini, crunchy salads and grilled corn on the cob.
What should you serve with grilled chicken?
Grilled chicken is an incredibly versatile dish. Because you're likely to be grilling during the summer months, try seasonal sides like summer squash casserole or sweet macaroni salad. Lemony pastas or seasoned rice work as a base with nearly any vegetable from the farmers market on the side. If you're using up leftover grilled chicken, chop it into almond-apricot chicken salad or turn it into a chicken pasta salad.
Homemade iced teas and lemonade make tasty nonalcoholic drink options. Beers like IPAs and amber ales, or rosés and crisp white wines make exceptional alcoholic pairings.
