Juicy lollipop lamb chops are pan-seared with a spice rub creating a delicate golden brown crust on top of savory tender meat all in under 30 minutes.
Why this recipe works
This lollipop lamb chops recipe starts with a simple but flavorful spice rub made with garlic salt, pepper, brown sugar, and smoked paprika and ends with a smother in rich butter and fresh thyme leaves. It’s easy and impressive!
Lollipop lamb chops get their name from the way they are prepared before cooking. Essentially, you trim the fat and meat from the bottom portion of the bone leaving you with a handle to eat with. It’s simply a more convenient way to enjoy lamb chops with your hands instead of utensils. And for that reason, lollipop chops can be enjoyed as both an appetizer for parties and as a main course for dinner and special occasions.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
MEAT – To make lollipop lamb chops, you’ll want to grab lamb rib chops from the store. You can ask the butcher to trim the end of the chop bone for you if you prefer to not do it yourself.
How to Make Lollipop Lamb Chops
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- To prepare the chops, rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Trim any fat or meat from the last 2-inches of the bone. This is why they are called lollipop lamb chops, so you have a handle to hold.
- To create spice mixture, in a medium bowl, mix together garlic salt, black pepper, brown sugar, and paprika.
- Season the lamb chops on both sides with the spice mixture. You may not use it all, reserve for later step.
- Dredge seasoned chops in flour.
- Heat olive oil in heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chops to hot oil, being careful not to crowd.
- Cook chops 3-4 minutes per side, you want the chops to be nice and brown. Add butter and thyme to the skillet, sprinkling thyme over the chops. Sprinkle more of the reserved seasoning over everything in the skillet.
- Allow butter to melt, turning chops over again to cover in the butter mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Depending on how you enjoy your chops, you can cook them to an internal temperature of 120F for rare, 125F for medium-rare, 130F for medium, and 140-145F for well done. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to read the correct temperature. Be careful not to cook lamb chops too long or they will become tough and chewy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve lollipop lamb chops with a side of potatoes, green beans, asparagus, roasted brussels sprouts , or carrots and optionally a glass of Pinot Noir or cabernet sauvignon.
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Lollipop Lamb Chops
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 ½ pounds lamb rib chops
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 Tablespoon black pepper
- ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ½ Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- You can ask the butcher to trim the end of the chop bone for you if you prefer.
- Be careful not to cook lamb chops too long or they will become tough.
- Depending on how you enjoy your chops, you can cook them to an internal temperature of 120F for rare, 125F for medium-rare, 130F for medium, and 140-145F for well done. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to read the correct temperature.
Instructions
- To prepare the chops, rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Trim any fat or meat from the last 2-inches of the bone. This is why they are called lollipop lamb chops, so you have a handle to hold.
- To create spice mixture, in a medium bowl, mix together garlic salt, black pepper, brown sugar, and paprika.
- Season the lamb chops on both sides with the spice mixture. You may not use it all, reserve for later step.
- Dredge seasoned chops in flour.
- Heat olive oil in heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chops to hot oil, being careful not to crowd.
- Cook chops 3-4 minutes per side, you want the chops to be nice and brown. Add butter and thyme to the skillet, sprinkling thyme over the chops. Sprinkle more of the reserved seasoning over everything in the skillet.
- Allow butter to melt, turning chops over again to cover in the butter mixture.
Nutrition
Chef Antoine Davis
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