Chicken Lollipop

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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:

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Ingredients and Preparation

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Ingredients:

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1. Chicken Wings: The main ingredient, typically the drumette or the wingette, which are modified to create the "lollipop" shape.

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2. Marinade: A mixture of ingredients like ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, and various spices like pepper and red chili powder.

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3. Coating: A batter made from flour, cornstarch, egg, and sometimes breadcrumbs, which gives the lollipop a crispy exterior when fried.

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4. Oil: For deep frying the chicken lollipops to achieve that crispy texture.

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Preparation:

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1. 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.

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2. 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.

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3. 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.

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4. 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.

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Flavor Profile

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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.

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Dipping Sauces

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The chicken lollipop is often served with various dipping sauces that complement its flavors. Common accompaniments include:

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• Schezwan Sauce: A spicy and tangy sauce made from red chilies, garlic, and vinegar.

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• Sweet Chili Sauce: A milder option that balances sweetness and spiciness.

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• Mint Yogurt Dip: A cooling dip made from yogurt, mint, and spices, providing a refreshing contrast to the fried chicken.

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Presentation

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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.

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Nutritional Value

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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.

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Variations

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There are several variations of chicken lollipop, including:

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• Baked Chicken Lollipop: A healthier version where the chicken is baked instead of fried.

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• Grilled Chicken Lollipop: Marinated and grilled, offering a smoky flavor.

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• Stuffed Chicken Lollipop: Filled with a variety of stuffing's like cheese, herbs, or minced meat for an extra burst of flavor.

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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.

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Ingredients

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1. Chicken lollipops – 22 no’s

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1st marination:

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1. Kashmiri chilli powder – 1 tablespoon

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2. Ginger garlic paste- 1 tablespoon

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3. Turmeric powder- 1/2 teaspoon

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4. Pepper powder- 1/2 teaspoon

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5. Chicken 65 powder – 1 tablespoon

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6. Salt – 1 tablespoon, as per your taste

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7. Curd – 2 tablespoon

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2nd Marination :

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1. Corn flour – 3 tablespoon

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2. All purpose flour – 8 tablespoon

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3rd Marination :

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1. Eggs – 2

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2. Bread crumbs – 8 slices bread

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3. Oats crushed – 3 tablespoon

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Method of preparation

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1. Wash and clean all the chicken lollipops and keep aside

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2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients mentioned under 1st marination

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3. Now add the chicken pieces to it and mix well

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4. Let is rest for 2 hours

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5. Combine the corn flour and all purpose flour in a plate

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6. Dip the chicken pieces one by one in this corn flour mix

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7. Wait for half hour

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8. Take 2 beaten eggs in a bowl and mix of oats and bread crumbs in another plate

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9. Dip the chicken pieces first in beaten egg, and then in the bread crumbs

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10. Refrigerate the chicken lollipops for half hour

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11. Take a kadai and add sufficient oil for frying these chicken lollipops

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12. Fry it in different batches till it reaches brown in color

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13. Serve hot with mayonnaise, ketchup or salads. 

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