Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce Takes Game Day Chicken Lollipops to the Touchdown Zone

Game Day Chicken Lollipops with Banana Pepper Ranch Dip

Touchdown! Game Day Chicken Lollipops with Habanero Banana Pepper Ranch Dip!

I am honored to be one of the 30 bloggers who have been invited to share game day dishes, and healthy entrée recipes in an exclusive bloggers recipe challenge hosted by Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce! I must say, I absolutely love developing recipes for both categories; all three banana pepper sauces are unique and easy to cook with.

Calling All Football Fans!

Get ready to score a touchdown with these incredibly juicy, flavorful Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce Chicken Lollipops. Marinated in a delightful blend of Miller's Mild Banana Pepper Sauce, tamari, and avocado oil, these chicken lollipops are then coated in a crispy panko-Parmesan crust. But wait, there's more! To complete this winning game day recipe, we'll dip the lollipops in a creamy ranch dressing spiked with Miller's Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce for a touch of heat.

My Game Day Entry!

The chicken lollipops are absolutely incredible when dipped in the Habanero Banana Pepper Ranch Dip!

Why Chicken Lollipops Make Perfect Party Food

There are many reasons to love chicken lollipops for your next party:

• Budget-Friendly: Chicken drumsticks are a much more affordable option than chicken wings, they are about 75% cheaper!

• Visually Appealing: The unique lollipop shape adds a fun touch to your party platter.

• Easy to Eat: The bone handle makes them easy for guests to grab and enjoy.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can form the lollipops the day before and cook them game day.

• Crispy Perfection: The dredging process ensures juicy chicken and a crispy crust.

• Dip It Good: The flavorful ranch dressing with a kick from Miller's Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce is the perfect complement.

Cut and shape the lollipops the day before the party!

How to Form a Chicken Lollipop

Using a paper towel, pull the skin down and off the knuckle bone off each chicken drumstick. At the widest part of a chicken drumstick, pull the skin downwards, and off the knuckle bone, using a paper towel.

With a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut through the meat and the tendons in a circular motion, 1-inch  from the knuckle bone. Push the meat towards the base of the drumstick, to form a lollipop shape. Use a chef’s knife or clever to trim the base of the lollipop so it will stand upward.

Let's try baking a chicken drumstick without cleaning up the bone.

Flour, egg, crumbs: that's it!

Add a crumb coat and ready to bake.

Golden Drumsticks are gorgeous but are they as tender as chicken lollipops?

DRUMSTICKS VERSUS LOLLIPOPS!

WHICH IS MORE TENDER?

So this was a fun experiment! After my chicken lollipops turned out incredibly tender, without those chewy tendons, I asked myself..."What the heck just happened! Why are these chicken lollipops so delicious and tender?" So I tromped out the door and directly to the grocery store to buy more drumsticks. This time though, I did not trim the drumsticks into a lollipop. The drumsticks soaked in the marinade, soated with the same Panko Parmesan coating then baked for the same amount of time. The flavor was outstanding, especiallyy with the dip. However, those tendons presented themselves. So even though the chicken was eye-appealing either way, I will definitely trim the drumsticks into lollipops.

Three levels of heat in Miller's Sweet & Spicy Banana Pepper Sauce!

Why I Love Miller’s Sweet & Spicy Banana Pepper Sauce

Made from scratch with fresh, whole peppers and our special blend of mustard seeds and spices. The sauce is Fat-Free, Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified. The sauce is is award-winning!  The sauce has a unique flavor and is not just heat! I found it easy to incorporate into glazes, rice, pasta, potatoes, sauces, casseroles, eggs, and directly on meat and seafood.

An Ingredient List I Can Read!

INGREDIENTS: Distilled Vinegar, Raw Sugar, Fresh Peppers, Water, Mustard Seed, Cornstarch, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Vitamin C (To Preserve Freshness), Paprika Extract.

Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce Story

“Miller’s began in 2002 as a humble experiment. At the request of friends, our family started cooking up a few stockpots of homemade banana pepper sauce to share. The hand packed jars went quickly, with smiles all around, and it wasn't long until the idea formed to sell our unique creation through local specialty stores.

The response was overwhelming. Word of the spicy and sweet creation grew quickly in Butler County and beyond, as did sales. We soon found ourselves driving daily throughout Western Pennsylvania to deliver yesterday's batch. It was clear we had something people had been looking for — a tangy and spicy condiment with a balance rarely found in a pepper sauce.

Over twenty years later, Miller's award-winning banana pepper sauce is still crafted with the same care and attention to detail as when we first made it for our friends. From local concession stands to national grocery chains, our undeniable passion for making a quality condiment with spirit and versatility continues.“

Which of the 3 heat levels is right for you?

Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce Has Three Heat Levels

BANANA PEPPER SAUCE: MILD

A tamer version of our original banana pepper sauce. Mild packs the same sweet and spicy flavor that fans have grown to love, with a gentle heat profile that’s easier on your tongue.

BANANA PEPPER SAUCE: HOT

Miller's original Banana Pepper Sauce delivers a bold heat tempered by an underlying sweetness that's unique to our vine-ripened banana peppers. Tangy and spicy with a balance rarely found in pepper sauce.

Ingredients: Distilled Vinegar, Raw Sugar, Fresh Peppers, Water, Mustard Seed, Cornstarch, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Vitamin C, and Paprika Extract.

BANANA PEPPER SAUCE: HABANERO

Looking for some heat? Spice lovers can feel the burn with our Habenero variety, featuring a blend of banana peppers and fiery habenero chilies. It’s sure to put a sweat on your brow.

Feel free to use any heat level in this recipe: marinade and dip!

Where To Buy Miller’s Sweet & Spicy Banana Pepper Sauce

Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce is available online and at over 800 trusted retailers, with more on the way. Whole Foods, Wegmans or order on Amazon.

Buy online!

https://www.eatmillers.com/shop

Check Out Miller’s Banana Pepper Sauce Online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EatMillers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatmillersofficial/

Website: https://www.eatmillers.com

Hashtags: #betterwithmillers, #millersrecipechallenge, and #anythingbutbland

It only takes 3 ingredients to make a delicious dip!

Set up 3 stations for making the best crumb coat.

The crumb coat makes for a crunchy bite.

Ingredients Tips

Chicken Drumsticks: I like using larger chicken leg drumsticks.

Avocado Oil: I love the neutral flavor and health benefits of avocado oil, however, canola oil is also good.

Miller’s Sweet & Spicy Mild Banana Pepper Sauce: The Mild sauce was used in the marinade. Actually, their “Hot” sauce or their “Habanero” sauce would work. However, the dip is made with the Habanero Sauce so the dish overall does get a good jolt of heat.

Tamari Sauce: I use tamari sauce because I feel it is a healthier choice but soy sauce or fish sauce are good substitutes.

Panko Bread Crumbs: I highly recommend Panko Crumbs because they are bigger and crispier than bread crumbs.

Grated Parmesan Cheese: I use my childhood favorite grated Parmesan Cheese, you know, good old Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese in the green tube!

Ranch Dressing: I don’t use Hidden Valley Ranch because it has MSG. I like Lite House Homestyle Ranch that is found in the refrigerator section near produce.

Chicken Lollipops are super tender and juicy when the temp is around 185°F!

How to Make Chicken Lollipops

Prep the Chicken: Transform your drumsticks into impressive lollipops! Using kitchen shears, a paring knife, and a chef’s knife, remove the chicken skin. Then, about 1 inch from the knuckle, cut through the meat and tendons in a circular motion. Push the meat down towards the base of the drumstick, exposing the bone. If needed, use your paring knife to scrape the bone clean. Finally, use the chef's knife to trim the base of the drumstick so it can stand upright.

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together avocado oil, Miller's Mild Banana Pepper Sauce, and tamari. Add the prepared chicken lollipops (avoid getting the exposed bone wet) and marinate for 1.5 hours.

Preheat the Oven: While the chicken marinates, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Prepare the Coating: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls:

• Bowl 1: Flour, salt, and pepper.

• Bowl 2: Eggs and Miller’s Mild Banana Pepper Sauce.

• Bowl 3: Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt.

Assemble and Bake: Dredge each marinated chicken lollipop in the flour (Bowl 1), then dip it in the egg mixture (Bowl 2), and finally coat it thoroughly with the panko mixture (Bowl 3). Arrange the breaded lollipops upright on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 175-190°F (79-88°C).

Make the Dip: While the chicken bakes, whip up the Habanero Ranch Dressing. In a bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, Miller's Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce, and lime juice.

Serve and Enjoy! Serve the chicken lollipops warm with the Habanero Ranch Dressing for dipping. For an extra touch, garnish with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Recipe

Game Day Chicken Lollipops with Banana Pepper Ranch Dip

Crowd-pleasing, Game Day Chicken Lollipops, with BananaPepper Ranch Dip, will make the winning score at your BIG-Game party or any day! Chicken drumsticks are transformed into fun, easy-to-eat lollipops, marinated in a flavorful blend of avocado oil, mild banana pepper sauce, and tamari, then coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs. After the lollipop bake to golden perfection, they are served with a creamy, spicy Habanero Ranch Dip! Make plenty this appetizer vanishes fast!

Yields: 12 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Marinating time: 1.5 hours

Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For Chicken Marination:

• 12 chicken drumsticks

• 1/3 cup avocado oil

• 1/3 cup Miller’s Mild Banana Pepper Sauce

• 2 tablespoons tamari sauce or soy sauce

For Panko Parmesan Crust:

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tablespoons Miller’s Mild Banana Pepper Sauce

• 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic

• For the Habanero Ranch Dip:

  • 1 1/2 cups refrigerated ranch dressing

  • 1/4 cup Miller’s Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• Optional Garnish: Arugula, cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken: Using a paper towel for grip, pull the skin down and off the knuckle of each drumstick. With a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut through the meat and tendons in a circular motion about 1 inch from the knuckle. Push the meat down toward the base of the drumstick to create a lollipop shape. Use a chef’s knife or cleaver to trim the base of each drumstick so it stands upright.

2. Marinate: In a large bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, mild banana pepper sauce, and tamari sauce. Dip each chicken lollipop into the marinade, being careful not to get the exposed bone wet. Stand the lollipops upright in the marinade, and marinate in a cool place for 1.5 hours.

3. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

4. Prepare the Coating: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls:

          Bowl 1: Whisk flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

          Bowl 2: Whisk eggs and Miller’s Mild Banana Pepper Sauce.

          Bowl 3: Combine panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, onion powder, granulated garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.

5. Assemble and Bake: Dredge each marinated chicken lollipop in the flour then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally coat it thoroughly with the panko mixture. Arrange the breaded lollipops upright on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 175-190°F (79-88°C).

6. Prepare the Dip: While the chicken lollipops bake, prepare the Habanero Banana Pepper Ranch Dip. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce, and lime juice.

7. Serve: Serve the chicken lollipops warm with the Habanero Banana Pepper Ranch Dip. Garnish with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips

• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

• Adjust the amount of heat in the dip by choosing which Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce suits your taste! Habanero is the hottest, Hot Banana Sauce is considered medium or choose Miller’s Mild Banana Sauce for the mildest heat level.

• For a spicier marinade, substitute Miller's Mild Banana Pepper Sauce with their Hot or Habanero sauce.