Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
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Posted: 05/05/25
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Turn classic drumsticks into Chicken Drumstick Lollipops for a fun and tasty twist! These crispy, juicy bites are easy to eat, making them perfect for parties, game days, or a family-friendly dinner.
These chicken drumstick lollipops are going to be a hit at your next cookout! They look exactly like a lollipop, making them so much fun to eat. The shape also makes them really easy to dip.
I love to cook these as both an appetizer or main dish depending on whether we are doing to a potluck, cookout or just eating supper at home with our kids. It is fun to whip up different dips like Garlic Parmesan and Ranch to really kick things up a notch.
what is a chicken lollipop?
A chicken drumstick lollipop is kind of exactly what it sounds like. You take the chicken leg and “french” the meat, which means you pull the meat and skin down the bone to form a lollipop shape at the meaty end. It is a fun way to cook chicken legs making them super easy to eat and dip.
why you’ll love this recipe
- You only need 4 pantry staple ingredients.
- These are the perfect handheld appetizer.
- Chicken lollipops are perfectly seasoned and then basted in your favorite BBQ sauce so every bite is so flavorful.
ingredients for chicken drumstick lollipops
- Chicken drumsticks – You need about 12 chicken legs to make these delicious lollipops.
- Olive oil – This will help the rub stick to the chicken.
- BBQ rub – Use your trusty favorite or make your own barbecue chicken rub using brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and ground oregano. You can also buy ours to have on hand!
- BBQ sauce – Use your go-to barbecue sauce or make an easy homemade sauce if you’re up to it.
how to make chicken drumstick lollipops
Holding the drumsticks bone-side up, use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut all the way around the bone just below the meat.
Remove any tendons, cartilage or little pieces of meat from the very end of the bone. Push the meat downward to create the lollipop shape. Repeat with all drumsticks.
Add drumsticks to a large mixing bowl.
Add BBQ rub and olive oil to the bowl with the drum sticks and toss until well coated.
Cook immediately or leave to marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
Cover the bones with foil and stand chicken lollipops upright on a parchment lined baking tray.
Bake for 25 minutes in preheated oven or until internal temperature of lollipop chicken legs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove chicken from oven and turn the oven on to high broil. Brush lollipops with BBQ sauce before returning them to the oven to broil for 3-4 minutes.
Serve immediately.
what does it mean to “french” a chicken drumstick?
I always love to learn about new cooking and preparation methods. Frenching a chicken drumstick means that the meat and skin are cut around the bone and then pushed down around the bottom part of the drumstick. The end result looks like a lollipop.
Frenching is a technique that is meant to create a more elegant presentation because excess fat and meat have been removed from the bone.
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Store cooled chicken drumstick lollipops in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze cooked chicken drumsticks, once cooled, in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.
Reheat leftover chicken lollipops in the oven for about 10-15 minutes in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The internal temperature of the reheated chicken must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also use your air fryer if they won’t be too crowded in the basket.
pro tips
- I like to cook my chicken drumstick lollipops to 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit which helps get rid of any of that bloody tissue in legs and they are still juicy!
- Keep a close eye on the chicken drumsticks so the don’t burn while the are on broil.
This chicken lollipop recipe is so easy and such a crowd pleaser, you’ll be glad you tried them out. Everyone will be begging you to make them for game day!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chicken Drumstick Lollipops Recipe
Crispy, juicy Chicken Drumstick Lollipops are the perfect party snack or family-friendly meal! Easy to eat and full of flavor, serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks about 12 drumsticks
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ Tablespoons BBQ Rub
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
French the drumsticks
- Hold the drumsticks bone-side up. Using a sharp knife or a pair of scissors, cut around the bone just below the meat. Make sure you cut around the entire circumference of the chicken bone.
- Remove any tendons, cartilage, or little meat pieces from above the cut that was made (at the very end of the bone). Then, push the meat downwards on the bone to create the lollipop shape with the bone acting as the stick. Repeat with all the drumsticks.
- Add the drumsticks to a large mixing bowl.
Season
- Add the BBQ rub and olive oil to the mixing bowl with the drum sticks. Toss the chicken until all of the drum sticks are well coated on all sides.
- You can cook this immediately or marinate the chicken for a few hours covered in the fridge for more taste.
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the bone, with foil and stand the drumsticks upright on a baking tray.
- Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until the chicken drumsticks have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I like to cook mine to 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit which helps get rid of any of that bloody tissue in legs and they are still juicy.
- Remove chicken from the oven and put the oven on high broil. Brush the drum sticks with BBQ sauce and return them to the oven and broil for another 3-4 minutes. Keep an eye on them in the oven to make sure they don’t burn.
- Once your drumstick lollipops have been broiled, serve them immediately while they're still warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips
Fridge: Store cooled chicken drumstick lollipops in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze cooked chicken drumsticks, once cooled, in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.
Reheat leftover chicken lollipops in the oven for about 10-15 minutes in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The internal temperature of the reheated chicken must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also use your air fryer if they won’t be too crowded in the basket.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 348kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 27g (54%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 140mg (47%), Sodium: 404mg (18%), Potassium: 401mg (11%), Fiber: 0.3g (1%), Sugar: 8g (9%), Vitamin A: 150IU (3%), Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 33mg (3%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
how to serve chicken drumstick lollipops
Chicken drumstick lollipops are so great served as an appetizer on game day alongside a variety of dishes like Jalapeño Poppers, creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip in the crockpot and Sheet Pan Quesadillas. Don’t forget everyone’s favorite: the veggie platter.
Drumstick lollipops are also super dippable so make sure you set out BBQ sauce, hot sauce, chipotle mayo, teriyaki sauce, honey mustard, aioli and any other delicious dip you can think of at your party.
more great chicken leg recipes
- Crispy, seasoned skin make Baked Chicken Legs the hit of dinnertime.
- Sticky, garlicky and sweet, Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks check all of the boxes for a great tasting meal.
- Your favorite BBQ sauce is slathered all over the tastiest marinated Barbecue Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
- If you have never air fried chicken legs before, now is your chance to try Air Fryer Chicken Legs. The skin is so tasty and crispy and the meat is perfectly juicy.
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