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Honey Soy Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

honey soy garlic chicken drumsticks - featured image

Sticky, savory, and a little bit sweet, these oven-baked honey soy garlic chicken drumsticks are juicy on the inside with a caramelized, finger-licking glaze. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, using simple pantry staples for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 22.5 lbs (about 1012 pieces) chicken drumsticks, skin-on
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
  • Green onions, sliced thin (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds, toasted (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place in a large zip-top bag or shallow baking dish.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil (if using), black pepper, and grated ginger (if using) until honey is dissolved.
  3. Pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat evenly. Seal bag or cover dish and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  5. Remove drumsticks from marinade (reserve marinade) and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip each drumstick. Pour reserved marinade over the chicken and return to oven.
  7. Bake for another 15–20 minutes, until skin is deep golden and juices run clear (internal temp 165°F).
  8. Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization, watching closely to prevent burning.
  9. Transfer drumsticks to a serving platter. Spoon sticky sauce from the pan over the top.
  10. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, marinate chicken overnight. Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free. Don’t overcrowd the pan for crispier skin. Broil briefly at the end for extra caramelization, but watch closely. Double the marinade if you want extra sauce for rice or veggies. Leftovers are great shredded into wraps or tossed with rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey soy garlic chicken, chicken drumsticks, oven baked chicken, sticky chicken, easy family dinner, Asian chicken, weeknight dinner, meal prep, gluten-free option