Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops Recipe — Be Greedy Eats

The perfect appetizer for any occasion! These Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops are grilled or baked to perfection! Brushed with a sweet and savory blackberry BBQ sauce, these lollipops are sure to please!

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BBQ Season is the Best Season!

Y’all, it is cookout season and I’m pumped! The family is gathering and the summer fun starts at the cookout! You cannot have a cookout without some form of BBQ! My Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops will spice up your usual cookout menu for sure!

Whether they are grilled or baked, they are sure to please. They are moist and cooked until tender. But, the sauce is truly the star of this recipe! The added blackberry flavor makes this sauce to die for! I know y’all will love it as much as I did!

Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops’ Ingredients:

Let’s walk through each ingredient! These ingredients are very easy to obtain. Plus, during this time of the year, the ingredients are in season and very fresh.

Whole Chicken Drumsticks: Drumsticks are very inexpensive which makes this recipe even better! I typically get a large pack with about 15 drumsticks. I usually pay no more than $6.00 - $9.00 depending on the size.
EVOO: The extra virgin olive oil is added to the chicken drumsticks before seasoning. This helps the seasoning to stick on the chicken.
Seasoning Mix: To season the chicken, I made a simple seasoning mix made out of seasoning salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. I seasoned the chicken and allowed it to sit for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Blackberries: I’ve come to really like blackberries. When ripe, they are very sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy. I used about 2 cups of berries for this recipe. Make sure that they are rinsed and drained before using.
Yellow Onion: I love adding onion to my homemade bbq sauces. I cook them in the sauce for some added flavor, but I always strain the sauce after it finishes reducing.

Garlic: I added some minced garlic because garlic makes everything better! I only added about 1 tbsp. You do not need a lot. A little goes a long way.
Tomato Paste: The tomato paste helps with thickening and enriching the sauce with more flavor.
Ketchup: The ketchup is the base of the bbq sauce. I used about 1 cup total. Most BBQ sauces are made with some type of ketchup and/or tomato product.
Brown Sugar: The extra molasses flavor in brown sugar works great in bbq sauces. It adds the right amount of sweetness with some added depth.
Bourbon: The bourbon is optional in this recipe, but it adds a world of difference to the sauce! The bourbon flavor pairs great with the sweet and tangy blackberries.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A little bit of vinegar goes a long way in bbq sauces. It adds just the right amount of twang to the sauce. I always go with apple cider or balsamic vinegar for my bbq sauces.
Worcestershire Sauce: The Worcestershire sauce adds some umami to the sauce. Plus, it is acidic and slightly sweet which only adds to the sauce’s overall taste.

Liquid Smoke: I always suggest having some liquid smoke on hand! It gives any recipe a little bit of smoky flavor. It works perfectly with BBQ sauces. They usually come in various flavors as well.
Yellow Mustard: The mustard adds some additional twang to the sauce. I used regular yellow mustard, but Dijon and grain mustard would be great as well!
Red Pepper Flakes: The red pepper flakes add some spice to the sauce. You only need a small amount though. Adding too much will overpower the sauce.
Ground Ginger: Adding a little ground ginger is a little secret of mine. I only use a small amount, but it helps to balance out all of the flavors in the sauce.
Salt & Ground Black Pepper: You have to season your sauce just like you do the chicken. I added some salt and ground black pepper to bring out the flavors.

What should I serve the Lollipops with?

This recipe might be a great appetizer, but it is a great main entrée for a smaller group of people! With that said, you’re going to want some great side dishes with it. Here are some simple suggestions that will work great:

How to Make Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops:

I love how these lollipops are a nice switch up from the ordinary chicken drumstick! They work great as appetizers or a simple dinner option. The sauce of course is the star of this recipe though! It is sweet, smoky, and a little spicy.

The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.

Step 1: Prep the Grill or Oven. Prepare and heat the grill. If using an oven, heat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Cut the Drumsticks into Lollipops. Begin by making the lollipops. Make a full circle cut around the middle of the bone of each drumstick. Make sure to cut all the way down and get through cartilage. Using a boning or paring knife, scrape the skin and cartilage off the end of each drumstick. Make sure to keep the knife on the bone. Then, push the meat down the drumstick and form the lollipop shape.
Step 3: Season & Marinate the Lollipops. Toss the chicken lollipops in the EVOO. Season the lollipops with seasoning salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Allow the lollipops to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or cover overnight.

Step 4: Blend the Sauce Ingredients. In a blender or food processor, blend all of the sauce ingredients together until smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer. Add the sauce to a saucepan and bring the sauce to a low boil, stirring constantly.
Step 5: Reduce the Sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer and reduce the sauce for 15 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once finished, keep the sauce on low heat for later use.
Step 6: Bake or Grill the Lollipops. If using a grill, place the lollipops on top and begin cooking. If using an oven, add the lollipops to a lined sheet pan and place them into the oven. Make sure to turn the lollipops occasionally for even cooking.
Step 7: Baste the Lollipops. With a pastry brush, baste the lollipops with sauce every 5 - 7 minutes until the lollipops reach an internal temperature of 165°F (about 30 - 35 minutes).
Step 8: Serve & Enjoy! Remove the lollipops from the grill or oven and allow them to rest for 3 - 5 minutes. Serve with the remaining sauce and enjoy!

Can I Make these Ahead of time?

Yes and No! You can definitely make these ahead of time! I suggest allowing the lollipops to fully cool and store them in an airtight container or pan. When you’re ready to eat them, heat your oven between 400°F - 425°F.

Throw the lollipops in the oven and allow them to fully heat to 165°F. The higher temp will allow them to crisp up a little bit as well.

If you want that fresh grilled or baked flavor, I suggest making your sauce the day or night before. You can season the lollipops and allow them to marinate overnight. The next day you can just proceed with the rest of the directions in the recipe.

I’d love to hear your feedback about these Easy Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops! Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!

Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops

BBQ Season is the Best Season!

Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops’ Ingredients:

What should I serve the Lollipops with?

How to Make Blackberry BBQ Chicken Lollipops:

Can I Make these Ahead of time?