Chicken Lollipop, a tantalizing Indo-Chinese starter, combines crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks shaped like lollipops with a spicy marinade, followed by frying and a special seasoning sauce. Ideal for lunch or dinner, it pairs wonderfully with rice dishes and noodles.
Combine chicken lollipop pieces, salt, ginger garlic paste, soy sauce, turmeric, chili, pepper, and coriander powder in a bowl.
Ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the masala mix. Let them sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
After 10 minutes, add all-purpose flour, corn starch, and egg to the bowl. Mix thoroughly, ensuring each piece is well coated. This flour mixture helps the spices bind to the chicken during frying and ensures a crispy finish.
To Fry the Chicken
Gently place the marinated chicken pieces into medium-heated oil, frying them for 7 to 10 minutes.
Flip the chicken pieces and continue frying for another 10 minutes, or until they achieve a golden brown color.
Once fried to perfection, remove the Chicken Lollipops from the oil. Serve them hot as they are, or set aside for the final seasoning step.
To Season the chicken
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, then add garlic and sauté until it becomes aromatic.
Add onion and continue sautéing until it softens.
Stir in Szechuan Sauce, ketchup, and vinegar, mixing well.
Add the fried Chicken Lollipops to the pan, tossing them to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce.
Finish by sprinkling chopped spring onions over the top, then remove the pan from heat.
To Serve
Serve this lip-smacking Chicken Lollipop as is, or pair it with fried rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
Tips for Perfect Chicken Lollipops:
Crispiness: Combine all-purpose flour and corn starch in the recipe for a crispy outer layer, while eggs ensure the chicken inside stays juicy.
Flavor and Taste: Marinate the chicken in spices and soy sauce for at least 10 minutes to infuse it with rich flavors.
Drumstick Lollipop: Although traditional recipes use drumettes or wings, drumsticks cut into a lollipop shape work brilliantly too.
Preventing Hard Chicken: Soften the chicken by soaking it in buttermilk or yogurt drink for 30 minutes before marinating. This prevents it from becoming hard after frying.
BBQ Version: For a BBQ twist, grill the chicken instead of frying. Adding BBQ sauce can mimic the smoky flavor.
Indo-Chinese Twist: Use Szechuan sauce for seasoning the fried chicken, adding that signature Indo-Chinese zest.
Sauce Variations: While Szechuan sauce is a great choice, experimenting with chili sauce, buffalo sauce, or other Chinese sauces can offer different flavors and experiences.