Crispy Chicken Lollipops Recipe – Indo-Chinese Style with Soy Garlic Sauce

Last Updated on 6 months ago by Neha Deshmukh

Crispy Chicken Lollipops Recipe – Indo-Chinese Style with Soy Garlic Sauce

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you love a good Indo-Chinese dish. There’s just something about that sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor combo that’s totally addictive. And honestly, nothing beats a plate of crispy, juicy chicken lollipops! I first made these for a little get-together with friends, and they were gone in minutes. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for these incredibly delicious treats. Get ready to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chicken lollipops are seriously a crowd-pleaser. They’re perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, and coated in a sticky, irresistible soy garlic sauce. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make at home! This recipe strikes the perfect balance between authentic Indo-Chinese flavors and a simple cooking process. You’ll be whipping these up again and again, I promise.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing chicken lollipops:

• 12 chicken lollipop pieces
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• Salt to taste (approx. ½ tsp)
• Black pepper to taste (approx. ¼ tsp)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (approx. 120g)
• 1 cup cornflour (approx. 120g)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (approx. 30ml)
• 2 inch ginger, finely chopped
• 8-10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce (approx. 30ml)
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce (approx. 5ml)
• 2 tbsp red chili sauce (approx. 30ml)
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup (approx. 15ml)
• 1 tsp white vinegar (approx. 5ml)
• 2 tsp corn flour (approx. 10g)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients for a sec! A few things make this recipe really shine.

• Soy Sauce Duo: I use both light and dark soy sauce. Light soy sauce adds that lovely salty umami flavor, while dark soy sauce gives the sauce a beautiful rich color and a hint of sweetness. Don’t skip either one!
• Cornflour is Key: Seriously, don’t substitute the cornflour. It’s what gives the lollipops that incredible crispy coating.
• Indo-Chinese Influence: This recipe is a beautiful example of Indo-Chinese cuisine – a fusion of Indian and Chinese flavors that’s incredibly popular in India. The use of soy sauce, chili sauce, and vinegar is a nod to Chinese cooking techniques, while the overall flavor profile is distinctly Indian.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken lollipops with ginger paste, garlic paste, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This helps the flavors really penetrate the chicken.
2. Prepare the Coating: While the chicken marinates, in a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornflour, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
3. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Dip each marinated lollipop into the beaten egg, then dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Carefully fry the lollipops in batches for 5-7 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Make the Sauce: In a separate pan, heat a tablespoon of oil. Sauté the chopped ginger and garlic until fragrant (about a minute). Add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, and vinegar. Stir well.
5. Thicken the Sauce: Mix the corn flour with a little water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the sauce and cook until it thickens to your desired consistency.
6. Coat and Serve: Toss the fried chicken lollipops in the thickened sauce until they’re evenly coated. Serve immediately while hot!

Expert Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry the chicken in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
• Double Fry (Optional): For extra crispy lollipops, fry them once, let them cool slightly, and then fry them again for a minute or two.
• Taste as you go: Adjust the amount of chili sauce to your liking.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are a few ideas:

• Spice Level:
  • Mild: Reduce the chili sauce to 1 tbsp.
  • Medium: Use the recipe as is.
  • Hot: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped green chili to the sauce.
• Festival Adaptations: These are perfect for New Year’s Eve! They’re a fun and festive appetizer that everyone will love.
• Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for rice flour for a gluten-free version.
• Air Fryer Variation: You can air fry these! Spray the coated lollipops with oil and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then toss in the sauce. My friend, Priya, swears by this method!

Serving Suggestions

These chicken lollipops are fantastic on their own, but they’re even better with some dipping sauces. I love serving them with:

• Sweet chili sauce
• Garlic mayo
• Schezwan sauce
• A simple mint chutney

A side of fried rice or noodles completes the meal perfectly.

Storage Instructions

Leftovers? (If there are any!) Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness. Microwaving will make them a bit soggy, unfortunately.

FAQs

1. What cut of chicken is best for making lollipops?

Chicken mid-wings are ideal! They have just the right amount of meat and bone to create that lollipop shape.

2. Can I marinate the chicken lollipops overnight for more flavor?

Absolutely! Marinating overnight will definitely deepen the flavor. Just make sure to store them in the refrigerator.

3. How do I achieve extra crispy chicken lollipops?

Double frying is the trick! Or, make sure your oil is hot enough and don’t overcrowd the pan.

4. What is the difference between light and dark soy sauce and can they be substituted?

Light soy sauce is saltier and lighter in color, used for general seasoning. Dark soy sauce is thicker, sweeter, and darker, adding color and depth of flavor. You can substitute with more light soy sauce, but you’ll lose some of the richness and color.

5. Can this recipe be made ahead of time? How should I reheat the lollipops to maintain crispiness?

You can fry the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Make the sauce fresh and toss them together just before serving. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for the best results!

Enjoy making (and eating!) these delicious Crispy Chicken Lollipops. Let me know in the comments how they turn out for you!