Description
Sweet Chili Beef Lollipops are a delicious and flavorful appetizer that combine juicy chicken drumsticks wrapped in crispy beef, enhanced with a sweet and tangy chili glaze.
Ingredients
- 10–12 chicken drumsticks, skin on
- 10–12 strips thick-cut beef
- 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 beef
- 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
- Cut around the knuckle end of each drumstick. Push meat down toward base to form a lollipop shape. Trim excess skin.
- Pat drumsticks dry and brush with oil. Coat with seasoning blend, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Wrap each drumstick with a strip of beef, tucking the end underneath or securing with a toothpick.
- Preheat smoker to 135°C (or set up two-zone gas grill). Smoke drumsticks 90–120 minutes until beef is crisp and chicken reaches 74°C internal temp.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan and sauté garlic and ginger 1–2 minutes. Stir in sweet chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and optional red pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- When chicken reaches 68–71°C, brush with glaze and continue smoking 10–15 minutes more until internal temp is 74–80°C.
- Remove from smoker, brush with additional glaze, let rest 5 minutes, and serve garnished with cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, and optional sesame seeds.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight with seasoning for extra flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked.
- Adjust crushed red pepper for preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Smoke
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion