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Maple Hot Chicken Lollipops Recipe

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4.4 from 33 reviews

  • Author: Patricia
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Maple Hot Chicken Lollipops combine the fun and flavorful experience of Nashville-style hot chicken with a sweet maple syrup glaze. These smoked chicken drumsticks are carefully prepared to create lollipop shapes, seasoned with spicy hot chicken seasoning, smoked to juicy perfection, and finished with a sweet maple coating. Perfect as a captivating main course for gatherings or a special meal.

Ingredients

Chicken Ingredients

  • 12 Chicken Drumsticks
  • ½ cup Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning or similar
  • ½ cup Maple Syrup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken Lollipops: Make a cut about one-third of the way down each drumstick toward the knuckle side. Slice all around the drumstick and carefully pull off the excess meat and skin until the bone is exposed. Trim any excess tendons, then press the meat down to form a compact lollipop shape. Repeat for all drumsticks.
  2. Season the Chicken: Place the Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning into a bowl. Thoroughly coat each lollipop-shaped drumstick with the seasoning ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor.
  3. Preheat the Smoker: Set your smoker to an indirect heat of 325°F (163°C). Add wood chunks or chips of your choice to infuse additional smoky flavor into the chicken.
  4. Smoke the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken lollipops in the smoker. Smoke for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (79°C), indicating they are fully cooked and tender.
  5. Warm the Maple Syrup: As the chicken nears completion, warm the maple syrup in a saucepan over low heat for 1-2 minutes until just warm to the touch—do not boil.
  6. Coat the Chicken with Maple Syrup: Remove the warm syrup from heat and carefully dip each chicken lollipop into it, coating evenly. Let any excess syrup drip off before placing the coated lollipops back onto the smoker.
  7. Finish Cooking: Return the syrup-coated chicken lollipops to the smoker and cook for an additional 5 minutes to set the glaze and meld flavors.
  8. Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Serve: Serve the Maple Hot Chicken Lollipops immediately while warm and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 175°F.
  • Warming the syrup gently prevents caramelization and maintains its liquid consistency for easy coating.
  • Choose wood chips like hickory, apple, or cherry for complementary smoky flavors.
  • Wear gloves or use a paper towel while shaping lollipops to avoid direct contact with raw chicken.
  • Allow the chicken to rest briefly after smoking to enhance juiciness.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Smoking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://patriciarecipes.com/maple-hot-chicken-lollipops-recipe/