Honey Garlic Chicken Lollipops — A Summer Grill Favorite

It is so hot today, and all I can think about is grilling dinner. I’ve been craving these chicken lollipops for weeks now—and since summer finally showed up in full force, tonight’s the night. Grill’s on, music’s up, and this honey garlic glaze is ready to shine.

These chicken lollipops are one of my favorite warm-weather recipes. They're fun, flavorful, and perfect for outdoor cooking. If you’ve never made lollipops before, it’s just a fancy way of trimming drumsticks so the meat gathers on one end—like a meaty little popsicle you can dip and devour.

That said, if trimming lollipops sounds like too much fuss, don’t skip this glaze. It's made from scratch in just a few minutes and tastes amazing on wings, thighs, or whatever you're throwing on the grill. Sweet, garlicky, and balanced with just enough soy and acidity to keep it from being cloying.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

·       Simple, summery, and made for your grill

·       The honey garlic glaze is fresh, homemade, and incredibly flavorful

·       Works great on wings, drumsticks, thighs, or even grilled tofu or pork chops

·       Kid-approved, easy to prep, and perfect for summer get-togethers

The Glaze

This isn’t one of those sugary bottled sauces. It’s a fast, fresh mix of butter, minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. You can keep it thin for brushing or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it up. Either way, it clings beautifully and caramelizes just right over open flame.

Father’s Day Friendly

If you’re looking for something fun and satisfying to make for Father’s Day, this is it. You can order our pasture-raised chicken wings and drumsticks directly through our website, and we’ll have them ready for pickup ahead of the weekend.

Skip the grocery store and treat Dad to chicken raised right—on pasture, with no corn or soy in the feed, and a whole lot more flavor.

Order Chicken for Father’s Day

Our pasture-raised wings and drumsticks are:

·       Corn- and soy-free

·       Locally raised with care

·       Juicy, flavorful, and grill-ready

Place your order today to reserve yours for Father’s Day weekend.

Order now

Full recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Lollipops (with Simple Garlic Glaze)

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

·       2 lbs chicken drumsticks (about 10)

·       1 tbsp olive oil

·       1 tsp salt

·       1 tsp black pepper

·       Optional: your favorite BBQ rub

For the Simple Honey Garlic Glaze:

·       2 tbsp unsalted butter

·       4 cloves garlic, minced

·       ¼ cup honey

·       2 tbsp soy sauce

·       1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional for tang)

·       Optional thickener: 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water

Instructions

1. Prep the Lollipops:

·       Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut around the base of each drumstick just above the joint to loosen the meat.

·       Push the meat down toward the thicker end to create a “lollipop” shape.

·       Trim any tendons if needed.

2. Season:

·       Toss the chicken lollipops in olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and optional BBQ rub.

·       Let rest while you preheat your grill or oven.

3. Cook the Chicken:

Grill Method:

·       Preheat grill to 350°F (indirect heat if possible).

·       Stand the lollipops upright (bone side down) in a grill-safe pan or foil boat.

·       Cover and cook for 30–35 minutes, rotating occasionally, until internal temp hits 165°F.

Oven Method:

·       Preheat oven to 375°F.

·       Place lollipops on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

·       Bake 35–40 minutes, until cooked through.

4. Make the Simple Garlic Glaze:

·       While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

· Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

·       Stir in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar/lemon juice.

·       Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

·       (Optional: Add cornstarch slurry and simmer 1–2 more minutes for a stickier glaze.)

5. Glaze and Finish:

· When the chicken is fully cooked, brush it generously with the glaze.

·       Return to grill or oven for 5–10 more minutes to let the glaze set and caramelize slightly.

6. Serve:

·       Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

·       Garnish with chopped parsley, green onions, or sesame seeds if desired.

 Tips:

·       Use a muffin tin to help the lollipops stand up straight in the oven.

·       For extra flavor, double the glaze and reserve some for dipping.

—Recipe Adapted from www.HeyGrillHey.com