Total cooking time | 50 minutes |
Level | Intermediate |
Chicken lollipop is a popular appetizer in Indian-Chinese cuisine, known for its unique presentation and flavorful taste. This dish transforms ordinary chicken wings into a visually appealing and mouth-watering treat, perfect for parties and gatherings. Here’s an in-depth look at chicken lollipop:
Ingredients and Preparation
Ingredients:
Chicken Wings: The main ingredient, typically the drumette or the wingette, which are modified to create the "lollipop" shape.
Marinade: A mixture of ingredients like ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, and various spices like pepper and red chili powder.
Coating: A batter made from flour, cornstarch, egg, and sometimes breadcrumbs, which gives the lollipop a crispy exterior when fried.
Oil: For deep frying the chicken lollipops to achieve that crispy texture.
Preparation:
Shaping the Chicken: The chicken wings are "frenched" to expose the bone and push the meat to one end, creating a lollipop-like appearance. This involves cutting around the base of the chicken wing and pulling the meat down to form a ball.
Marinating: The prepared chicken lollipops are marinated in a mixture of ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, chili sauce, and spices. This step infuses the chicken with flavor and tenderizes it.
Coating: After marinating, the chicken lollipops are dipped in a batter made from flour, cornstarch, egg, and breadcrumbs. This creates a thick coating that will turn crispy upon frying.
Frying: The coated chicken lollipops are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The frying process seals in the flavors and gives the chicken a crunchy exterior.
Flavor Profile
Chicken lollipop offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The exterior is crispy and slightly spicy, while the meat inside remains juicy and tender. The marinade imparts a savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavor, making each bite a burst of taste.
Dipping Sauces
The chicken lollipop is often served with various dipping sauces that complement its flavors. Common accompaniments include:
Schezwan Sauce: A spicy and tangy sauce made from red chilies, garlic, and vinegar.
Sweet Chili Sauce: A milder option that balances sweetness and spiciness.
Mint Yogurt Dip: A cooling dip made from yogurt, mint, and spices, providing a refreshing contrast to the fried chicken.
Presentation
The unique lollipop shape of the chicken makes it a visually appealing dish. The exposed bone serves as a handle, making it easy to pick up and eat, which adds to its popularity as a finger food at parties and gatherings.
Nutritional Value
Chicken lollipop, while delicious, is a fried dish and thus can be high in calories and fat. However, using lean cuts of chicken and opting for baking instead of frying can make it a healthier option. Additionally, the use of spices and ginger-garlic paste adds nutritional benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.
Variations
There are several variations of chicken lollipop, including:
Baked Chicken Lollipop: A healthier version where the chicken is baked instead of fried.
Grilled Chicken Lollipop: Marinated and grilled, offering a smoky flavor.
Stuffed Chicken Lollipop: Filled with a variety of stuffing's like cheese, herbs, or minced meat for an extra burst of flavor.
Chicken lollipop is a delightful fusion appetizer that combines the flavors of Indian and Chinese cuisines. Its unique presentation, crispy exterior, and flavorful marinade make it a favorite at parties and gatherings. Whether served with spicy Sczwan sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a cooling mint yogurt dip, chicken lollipop is sure to be a hit with both children and adults. By experimenting with different cooking methods and variations, this dish can be adapted to suit various tastes and dietary preferences, making it a versatile addition to any menu.
Ingredients
Chicken lollipops – 22 no’s
1st marination:
Kashmiri chilli powder – 1 tablespoon
Ginger garlic paste- 1 tablespoon
Turmeric powder- 1/2 teaspoon
Pepper powder- 1/2 teaspoon
Chicken 65 powder – 1 tablespoon
Salt – 1 tablespoon, as per your taste
Curd – 2 tablespoon
2nd Marination :
Corn flour – 3 tablespoon
All purpose flour – 8 tablespoon
3rd Marination :
Eggs – 2
Bread crumbs – 8 slices bread
Oats crushed – 3 tablespoon
Method of preparation
Wash and clean all the chicken lollipops and keep aside
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients mentioned under 1st marination
Now add the chicken pieces to it and mix well
Let is rest for 2 hours
Combine the corn flour and all purpose flour in a plate
Dip the chicken pieces one by one in this corn flour mix
Wait for half hour
Take 2 beaten eggs in a bowl and mix of oats and bread crumbs in another plate
Dip the chicken pieces first in beaten egg, and then in the bread crumbs
Refrigerate the chicken lollipops for half hour
Take a kadai and add sufficient oil for frying these chicken lollipops
Fry it in different batches till it reaches brown in color
Serve hot with mayonnaise, ketchup or salads.