Chicken Drums of Heaven, also known as Chicken Lollipop with Sauce, is a beloved Indo-Chinese appetizer that combines the best of both cuisines. This dish features crispy fried chicken lollipops tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce, creating a burst of flavors in every bite.
The dish gets its name from the drumstick-like appearance of the chicken lollipops and the heavenly taste of the finished product. It’s a popular choice in Indian-Chinese restaurants and is often the star of the appetizer menu.
What makes this dish special is the contrast between the crunchy exterior of the fried chicken and the glossy, flavorful sauce coating. The sauce, with its perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, elevates the simple fried chicken to a whole new level.
Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or just want to treat yourself to some Indo-Chinese deliciousness, this Chicken Drums of Heaven recipe is sure to impress. Let’s dive in and create this restaurant-style favorite in your own kitchen!
Chicken Drums of Heavenc
Ingredients
For the Chicken Lollipops:
- 12-14 chicken lollipops about 500g
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cornflour
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- Oil for deep frying
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 green chilies finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Schezwan sauce or Sriracha
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed in 4 tbsp water slurry
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp finely chopped spring onions green part only
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, red chili powder, garlic paste, and salt.
- Add chicken lollipops and marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
- Add cornflour, all-purpose flour, rice flour, egg, and ginger paste to the marinated chicken.
- Mix well to create a thick batter coating the lollipops.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
- Heat oil in a deep pan or wok.
- Fry the battered lollipops until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes), keeping the bone end up.
- Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
- In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp oil. Add ginger and garlic, stir-fry for a minute.
- Add onions and green chilies, cook until onions soften.
- Add Schezwan sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, and sugar. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch slurry, stirring until the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
- Add the fried chicken lollipops to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Garnish with chopped coriander and spring onions.
- Serve hot as an appetizer.
Tips and Information
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to get crispy lollipops.
- You can adjust the spice level by varying the amount of Schezwan sauce or Sriracha.
- For a healthier version, you can air fry or bake the chicken lollipops instead of deep frying.

Chicken Drums of Heaven, also called Chicken Lollipop with Sauce, is a popular dish that mixes Indian and Chinese flavors. It has crispy fried chicken lollipops covered in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. Every bite is bursting with taste.
The dish gets its name from how the chicken lollipops look like drumsticks and how heavenly they taste. You can find it on the appetizer menu at many Indian-Chinese restaurants.
What makes this dish special is the mix of textures and flavors. The crunchy outside of the fried chicken goes perfectly with the shiny, flavorful sauce. The sauce has just the right balance of heat, sweetness, and savory taste. It takes the simple fried chicken to a whole new level.
Whether you’re having a party, looking for an appetizer everyone will love, or just want to treat yourself to some yummy Indo-Chinese food, this Chicken Drums of Heaven recipe is sure to impress. Let’s get started and make this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen!