APPS & SIDES

Smoked Chicken Lollipops

Prep Time: 2 hrs 25 mins

Cook Time: 2hours  10minutes 1hour hr 20minutes minshouminut

Total Time: 4hours  35minutes 

Smoked chicken lollipops are tasty, flavor-packed appetizers ideal for entertaining. You can take them in any direction you like, but there’s something special about this version. Gochujang, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and a few other additions combine to create a flavor bomb. In this recipe, the mixture acts as a marinade AND sauce for a double dose of sweet, spicy heat.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • 4 pounds chicken drumettes, skin on

Garnishes

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced (green parts only)

Marinade/Sauce

  • ¾ cup Gochujang
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

Equipment

  • Z Grills 7002C2E Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Cherry Wood Pellets
  • Sharp Paring Knife
  • Large Bowl
  • Tongs
  • Saucepan

Instructions

                                                                • Step 1: To make the lollipop shape, use a paring knife to cut around the end of the bone of a chicken drumette. Use a sawing motion to cut through any meat and skin until you hit the bone.
                                                                • Step 2: Firmly grasp the drumette and pull any meat from the bone upward towards the thickest part of the drumette. Use your hands to turn the meat inside out to create a lollipop shape.
                                                                • Step 3: Scrape any remaining skin from the bottom of the bone with a paring knife. Discard it.
                                                                • Step 4: Repeat with the remaining drumettes.
                                                                • Step 5: Add the marinade/sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend/process until smooth.
                                                                • Step 6: Reserve half of the marinade/sauce. Use the remaining half to coat the chicken.
                                                                • Step 7: Transfer the chicken to a bowl and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours.
                                                                • Step 8: Preheat your Z Grills (preferably with branded wood pellets) or other wood pellet grill to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                • Step 9: Transfer the wings to the grates and smoke for 2-2 ½ hours or until the internal temperature of the smoked chicken lollipops is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                • Step 10: Meanwhile, add the reserved sauce to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Run it through a strainer if you want a smoother sauce.
                                                                • Step 11: Lightly brush the wings with sauce and increase the grill temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
                                                                • Step 12: Cover the grill and cook for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees.
                                                                • Step 13: Plate the smoked chicken lollipops.
                                                                • Step 14: Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve any remaining sauce on the side.

Ingredients

Serving Sizes

 

  • 4 pounds chicken drumettes, skin on

Garnishes

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced (green parts only)

Marinade/Sauce

  • ¾ cup Gochujang
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

Equipment

  • Z Grills 7002C2E Wood Pellet Grill
  • Z Grills Cherry Wood Pellets
  • Sharp Paring Knife
  • Large Bowl
  • Tongs
  • Saucepan