These honey bacon BBQ chicken lollipops are better than any candy. Bacon, beer and barbecue sauce create the perfect flavor trifecta for this chicken lollipop recipe. This juicy, tender chicken has quickly become one of my favorite appetizers for any game day or tailgate party, cookout, or dinner for the whole family. You’ll find that this recipe is packed with flavor in every bite!
To create our freakin’ delicious BBQ glaze for these chicken drumstick lollipops, we’re going all in on fall flavors with Jack-O from Samuel Adams. This limited edition beer boasts cinnamon, nutmeg, and autumn spice, making it perfect for cooler nights when you still want to fire up the grill. We’re only using 1/4 cup of Jack-O in the glaze, so you’ll have plenty left to keep you hydrated while you cook!
Post sponsored by Samuel Adams
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
- Chicken Lollipops Ingredients
- Better Lollipop Prep, Better Results
- How to Make Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
- The Glaze
- What to Serve with Chicken Lollipops
- Leftovers and Reheating
- More Chicken Lollipops
- FAQs
- This sauce is FYR!
- Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops Recipe
Why You’ll Love Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
Drumsticks and lollipops. I can’t help but think of a small child going HAM on a drum set or getting a lollipop after a visit to the bank with Mom and Dad. Who says this joy isn’t for adults to partake in as well?! We’ll be the ones playing with our food a bit as we transform these regular chicken drumsticks into an absolute favorite.
We’re using bacon to amp up the recipe even further. The flavor on these chicken drumstick lollipops is just insane! I’m using a full cup of my Cowboy Candy Seasoning, then layering on a homemade BBQ glaze. If you run out of time for the glaze, you can keep things simple with my FYR Honey BBQ Sauce. Or, you could even a spicy sauce if you want to kick things up a notch. Whichever route you go, you’ll have a lip-smacking main dish with crisp skin and freakin’ delicious flavors.
Looking for other ideas for a chicken lollipops recipe or another chicken dinner? Check out my Best Chicken Lollipop Recipes, The Best Chicken Leg Recipes and my Best Chicken Wing Recipes.
Chicken Lollipops Ingredients
- Chicken: To make our smoked chicken lollipops recipe, we’ll use chicken drumsticks seasoned with Cowboy Candy Seasoning (or your favorite BBQ seasoning). Don’t forget the bacon slices!
- BBQ Glaze: To make our custom glaze, grab your favorite barbecue sauce, honey, a can of Samuel Adams Jack-O and your favorite hot sauce.
Better Lollipop Prep, Better Results
I used a rack made for chicken wings or chicken legs for best results in grilling the lollipops. It’s a stand you can place in the smoker and holds the thinner side of the chicken drumettes while they cook.
I found mine on Amazon, but you can find a variety of different types at any grilling store. They’re pretty cheap and are one of the best ways to help the chicken keep a round lollipop shape while cooking. Definitely not something you have to have to cook this recipe, but something I did use.
Stock Up on Derek’s Newest Spice Blend
How to Make Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
The Prep
First, let’s form the chicken drumstick lollipop shape for our 8-12 chicken drumsticks. Get a sharp knife and cutting board and start by making a cut about ⅓ of the way down the drumstick, toward the knuckle side. Slice all around the drumstick with a circular motion, then pull off the excess meat and skin until the small bone is the only thing showing.
Trim off any excess tendons and connective tissue, pull off the skin, and then press the meat down to form your “lollipop.” It’ll look just like a restaurant style chicken lollipop! Repeat this process for the rest of the drumsticks.
Next, wrap a single slice of bacon around each drumstick and secure with toothpicks.
Once they’re bacon-wrapped, pour 1 cup Cowboy Candy Seasoning into a large bowl and thoroughly coat the chicken drumsticks. Set aside until you’re ready to cook.
The Grill
When it’s time to grill, preheat your smoker to 275 degrees Fahrenheit for indirect cooking. For added smoke flavor, throw in some more wood chunks.
Place your chicken lollipops on the smoker (preferably on a smoker rack) and cook for about 2-2.5 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. An instant-read thermometer is a great way to check!
Cook the chicken lollipops on medium heat for about 2-2.5 hours until their internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F for tender chicken.
The Glaze
When the chicken is close to being done, place a saucepan on your grill and add in all the ingredients for the BBQ glaze: 1 cup of your favorite sauce, Samuel Adams Jack-O, honey and hot sauce. Warm up for 1-2 minutes.
Let the BBQ glaze caramelize until they reach that perfect golden brown color and the honey bacon BBQ chicken lollipops reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Then, pull the prepared chicken lollipops off and rest on a serving platter for 2-3 minutes. Enjoy every delicious bite of your smoked chicken lollipop with your BBQ sauce on the side!
What to Serve with Chicken Lollipops
With the sweet and tangy flavors in these honey bacon BBQ chicken lollipops, classic BBQ sides are a great fit. Serve these with grilled corn, tangy coleslaw (maybe with a dash of hot sauce and honey in the dressing) or a simple green salad.
Leftovers and Reheating
Allow any leftover chicken to cool to room temperature before refrigerating it. This step helps prevent condensation, which can lead to bacterial growth. Store the chicken lollipops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat and maintain their crispness, use a grill, oven, or even an air fryer.
More Chicken Lollipops
FAQs
Chicken lollipops likely originated in Indian and Chinese cuisines. This dish has since become popular in Indo-Chinese fusion cuisine, often served as a flavorful appetizer with a dipping sauce.
Sure! If you’re not up for grilling (or don’t have a grill), bake these chicken lollipops at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes on a wire rack over a baking sheet. You can also use an air fryer at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through. Both methods will give you delicious, crispy texture and results.
Samuel Adams has been making freakin’ delicious craft beer since the early 1980s, so it’s basically everywhere in the U.S. Check out the company’s Find a Sam page to buy or order near you.
Get stoked for life
This sauce is FYR!
Born from a deep passion for food and flavor. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or live fire cooking around the world, we have what you need to transform every meal into an adventure.
Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 8-12 Chicken Drumsticks
- 1 cup Cowboy Candy Rub
- 8-12 Bacon Slices
BBQ Glaze:
- 1 cup Favorite BBQ Sauce
- ¼ cup Sam Adams Jack-O
- 1.5 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
Instructions
- Start by making a cut about ⅓ of the way done the drumstick towards the knuckle side. Slice all around the drumstick and pull off the excess meat/skin until the bone is the only thing showing.
- Trim off any excess tendons and pull off the skin, then press the meat down to form your “lollipop.” Repeat this for the rest of the drumsticks.
- Wrap a single slice of bacon around the chicken lollipop and secure using toothpicks. Then, add the Cowboy Candy Rub into a bowl and thoroughly coat the meat. Set aside until ready to cook.
- Preheat your smoker for 275F indirect. Add some additional wood chunks or chips for added flavor.
- Add your chicken to the smoker (preferably on a smoker rack) and cook for about 2-2.5 hours until they reach 175F.
- When the chicken is close to being done, add a sauce pan with all the ingredients for the BBQ Glaze. Warm up for 1-2 minutes. Once warm, stir the mixture and then pull the saucepan off the smoker.
- When chicken is done, pull off and rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve with BBQ sauce and enjoy!
Which habanero sauce do you use?
Pain Is Good Habanero Pepper sauce is what its called
Can u make these in an air fryer?
Sure you can!
I made these, now friends and family go crazy for them!
WHERE CAN I GET THAT RACK FROM?
I got this guy right off amazon!
I’m planning on doing this on my Traeger, which I find doesn’t give me that crispy coating. Should I place on the grill plate on direct fire for a few to get the coating crispier or do you think the rack and Carmelizing is enough?
If it doesn’t get crispy enough, try bumping that Traeger to the sear mode and seeing if that does the trick.
I would like to know more about your recipes because i have loved it.
Can u also bake this chicken lollipop?
Of course!
What can I substitute for bourbon as we don’t have a store nearby to get it or I can just omit it?
I would just omit it!
First use with a new-to-me Traeger. The end result was AMAZING but…. it took FOREVER to cut/remove the knuckle skin & cartilage on just 12 legs. I was using a brand new Wustoff pairing knife! It would take an hour+ to do 50 or more!!!!