Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Lollipops
On August 30, 2022 (Updated September 27, 2024)
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These sweet and spicy chicken bacon lollipops contain layer upon layer of flavor. Tender chicken, savory bacon, and a simple sweet red pepper sauce combine for an amazing dinner treat.
Chicken Bacon Lollipops
These chicken bacon lollipops are the perfect combo of sweet and spicy. The subtle heat from the blackened seasoning is perfectly tempered by the mind-blowing sweet pepper jelly. My 4-year-old boy had THREE servings. He never eats (and is quite particular about spicy foods and hates anything with the word “pepper” in it) so this meal was pretty much a miracle.
Aside from tickling your tastebuds, these lollies look totally stunning. They’re perfect pinwheels of meaty goodness grilled up and served on a stick. Are you ready to be a backyard BBQ hero? Because if you bring these to the next neighborhood cookout instead of the old “hotdogs and frozen burger patty” standby, you’ll leave the party in a cape.
Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Lollipops
Here’s what you need to make these lollipops.
- 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 9 slices bacon
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub. This rub can be made from scratch using my recipe for Best Sweet Rub for Pork and Chicken or you can purchase a bottle pre-made from the Hey Grill Hey Store.
For the dipping sauce, you need the following:
- 1 large bell pepper
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until the peppers are chopped into small pieces. Transfer the contents into a saucepan and bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and allow the sauce to simmer for 15 minutes.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Lollipops
Once you have all your ingredients assembled and ready to go, you’re ready to turn on the grill and make some dinner. Here’s how to make chicken bacon lollipops.
- Preheat. Fire up the grill and allow it to preheat to medium-high heat (375-400 degrees F). Prepare the sauce and the drumsticks while the grill comes up to temperature.
- Make the sauce. Follow the instructions in the previous section (or in the printable recipe card below) to make the dipping sauce.
- Assemble the lollipops. Slice the chicken lengthwise into 1-inch thick strips. Next, lay a piece of bacon on your workstation and top it with a slice of chicken. Roll into a pinwheel and slide it onto a bamboo or metal skewer. Repeat with the remaining bacon and chicken strips.
- Season. Shake both sides of the lollipops with Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub.
- Grill. Place the chicken bacon lollipops directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Flip the lollipops and cook on the other side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Enjoy. Once the chicken has reached its final temperature, remove it from the grill and serve immediately with the sauce on the side for dipping (or drizzling or dunking).
How Long to Grill Chicken Bacon Lollipops
It takes around 12-15 minutes to grill these lollipops, but this time may vary depending on a number of factors.
While this time can help you gauge approximately how long it will take to cook the chicken, I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness instead. These lollipops are done and ready to come off the grill when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
More Chicken Lollipop Recipes
Looking for other exciting chicken lollipop and lollipop-like recipes? Check out a few favorites from Hey Grill Hey below.
Chicken Bacon Lollipop Recipe
Follow the recipe, and let’s make some really good food! Hey Grill Hey is here to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a BBQ hero. Head on over to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! for more behind-the-scenes action!
I really hope you guys give this recipe a try. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night, but fancy enough for Sunday dinner. If you love it, come back and leave a comment!
This post was originally published in May 2016. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Lollipops
Ingredients
- 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 9 slices bacon
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub recipe in notes section
Sweet and Spicy Sauce
- 1 large bell pepper stem and seeds removed
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub recipe in notes section
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat your grill to medium-high (about 375-400 degrees).
- Make the sauce. In a blender, pulse the bell pepper, sugar, vinegar, butter, and Sweet Rub together until the peppers are chopped into small pieces. Transfer to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid off for 15 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, prepare your lollipops.
- Make the chicken bacon lollipops. Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise into 1-inch thick strips. Lay a piece of bacon on your cutting board and top with a strip of the chicken. Roll into a pinwheel and slide onto a bamboo skewer. Repeat with the remaining chicken and bacon strips.
- Season. Season both sides of the lollipops with Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub.
- Grill. Place the chicken bacon lollipops on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Enjoy. Transfer the finished lollipops to a large plate and serve the sauce on the side for dipping (or pouring).
Notes
- Purchase it from the store HERE: Sweet Rub
- Make it from scratch using this RECIPE: Best Sweet Rub Recipe
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a question for Suzie and anyone who has made these – does the interior bacon actually cook up in 10-15 minutes? It seems it would be a rubbery, uncooked mess. Any feedback on this?
Amazing yet another winner thanks Susie
Looking to try this recipe but it looks like the McCormick Grill Mates Hot Pepper Blackened Seasoning was discontinued. Do you have any replacement recommendations for that seasoning? Thanks!
That sauce sounds good!
Oh geez these look amazing! Saving this for our weekend grilling party!
Love this sweet and spicy combo!
Well these sure look like they would please a crowd.
Absolutely! And they come together pretty quickly. They would be great to make in advance, then grill up right at dinner time.
Wowee– these look fabulous. Would make a lot of bacon lovin’ boys happy at my house, that’s for sure!
My boys devoured these! Hope yours love them too!
Everything is better with bacpn and these look seriously incredible! I have to try this soon!
Thanks Aimee!! #baconforpresident
Phenominal! I am going out to buy these ingredient ASAP!
Boom! That’s what I like to hear. Happy grilling. 😉