Best Pancake Chicken Poppers With Maple Whiskey Dipping Sauce Recipes

PANCAKE CHICKEN POPPERS WITH MAPLE WHISKEY DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the maple whiskey sauce: Add the butter, grated onion, and lemon zest to a medium saucepan over medium heat, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the butter melts.
• Add the bourbon whiskey, maple syrup, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, five-spice powder, cayenne, and hot sauce to the pan. Whisk to combine. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8 minutes until the sauce has reduced by a quarter. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
• Make the chicken poppers: Pour 4 inches (10 centimeters) oil into a deep heavy pot and bring the oil to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) over medium heat.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the five-spice powder, and black pepper. Using your hands or a large spoon, mix until the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the chicken to the pan, in batches, if necessary, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Add more oil as needed between batches and set aside to cool.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder until combined. Add the milk and egg and mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Set a wire rack over a sheet pan. Working in batches, using tongs, dip the reserved chicken pieces into the batter, then carefully (as not to burn yourself) lower the pieces into the hot oil in the deep heavy pot. Cook until the chicken rises to the surface and the crust is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the wire rack. Serve immediately, with the dipping sauce on the side.

SMOKED MAPLE WHISKEY CHICKEN LOLLIPOPS

Steps:

• To make the seasoning: in a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients. Store any unused seasoning in an airtight container, in a cool dry place, for 1 to 2 months.
• To make the chicken: Make a cut about one-third of the way down the drumstick toward the knuckle side. Cut all the way around the drumstick and pull off the excess meat and skin until the bone is clean. Trim off any excess tendons. Press the meat on the drumstick down to form your "lollipop." Repeat this step for each drumstick.
• Place 1 cup seasoning in a medium bowl and, one by one, season each lollipop inside the bowl. Set the drumsticks aside and discard any remaining seasoning.
• Preheat the smoker for indirect cooking over medium heat (325°F). Add some oak or cherrywood chunks or chips to the smoker for more smoke flavor.
• Place the chicken lollipops in the smoker, on a drumstick hanger (if using). Cook for 1½ to 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
• To make the glaze: When the chicken is close to being done, preheat a grill or fire pit for direct cooking over medium heat (300°F).
• Pour the whiskey into a saucepan and place it over the fire. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining glaze ingredients and cook until the glaze is warm and the sugar dissolves.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully dip each lollipop into the glaze until it is evenly coated, letting the excess glaze drain back into the pan.
• Placed the glazed chicken back on the smoker and cook for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with any extra sauce on the side.

PANCAKE POPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray 2 mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
• Mix milk and vinegar together in a bowl; let stand until milk curdles, about 5 minutes. Beat in oil and egg.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; stir into milk mixture until smooth. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin tins with a tablespoon or a small batter scoop.
• Bake in the preheated oven until batter is risen and still pale, about 8 minutes. Remove from muffin cups with a silicone scraper.