Description
Sweet Chili Bacon Lollipops are a delicious and flavorful appetizer that combine juicy chicken drumsticks wrapped in crispy bacon, enhanced with a sweet and tangy chili glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–12 chicken drumsticks, skin on
- 10–12 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil or melted ghee
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose or sweet chili seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Toothpicks, optional, for securing bacon
- 240 millilitres sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears, cut around the knuckle end of each drumstick. Push the meat down toward the base to create a compact lollipop shape. Trim off excess skin and exposed tendons for clean presentation.
- Pat drumsticks dry with paper towels. Brush each with oil or melted ghee. In a small bowl, combine seasoning blend, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then coat the meat on all sides, avoiding the bone.
- Wrap each drumstick with one strip of bacon, starting at the meaty end and spiraling upward. Tuck the end underneath or secure with a toothpick, covering the meat while leaving the bone exposed.
- Preheat smoker to 135°C. Use cherry or apple wood for enhanced flavor. If using a gas grill, set up for two-zone heat.
- Arrange bacon-wrapped drumsticks on smoker grates, spacing them apart. Smoke for 90–120 minutes until bacon is crisp and internal chicken temperature reaches 74°C.
- While chicken smokes, melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for 1–2 minutes. Stir in sweet chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and optional crushed red pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- When chicken reaches 68–71°C, brush generously with glaze. Continue smoking until internal temperature is 74–80°C and bacon is fully crisp, about 10–15 minutes more.
- Remove from smoker. Brush with an additional layer of glaze and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions, lime wedges, and extra glaze for dipping. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken overnight with the seasoning.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to safe temperatures.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper based on your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Smoking or Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lollipop
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg