These honey soy chicken drumsticks are a tasty choice for any meal, combining sticky, sweet, and savory flavors. With a simple marinate, they turn any weeknight dinner or casual gathering into something special.
This recipe resolves concerns about ensuring flavorful, juicy chicken while simplifying marinating and offering various cooking methods for versatility.
I always found marinating chicken a bit tricky, often wondering if I was doing it right, but this recipe makes it easy. The balance of honey and soy sauce not only flavors the chicken but helps it stay juicy, so there’s no need to worry about bland drumsticks or dryness.
What sets this recipe apart is its easy prep and versatility. You can bake, grill, or air fry these drumsticks, and they cook up in about 40 minutes. They also make for great leftovers—if there are any! If you want to mix things up for meals, check out my homemade garlic bread.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free due to soy sauce containing wheat. For gluten-free options, use tamari in the recipe.
- This recipe does not meet keto or low-carb diets due to the sugar content in the honey used in the recipe.
- The recipe is dairy-free as it contains no dairy ingredients, making it suitable for those following a dairy-free diet.
- This recipe is nut-free as it does not include any nut products in its ingredients list, ensuring safety for nut allergies.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Sticky and Sweet Glaze: The marinade creates a rich, sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks. This results in a mouthwatering finish that adds a cozy touch to the chicken drumsticks.
- Flavorful Infusion: Letting the chicken soak in the marinade not only makes it tender but also helps each bite burst with flavor. The combination of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger genuinely lifts the taste of the chicken to something special.
- Cooking Flexibility: Whether you choose to bake, grill, or air fry, this honey soy chicken recipe adapts easily to different cooking methods. It’s great for any kitchen setup while still delivering juicy and crispy results.
- Meal Prep Winner: These honey soy chicken drumsticks keep well in the fridge, making them fantastic for meal prepping. You can easily enjoy them throughout the week, ensuring you have a flavorful option ready to go.
Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: baking, grilling, air frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: gluten-free
Description
These honey soy chicken drumsticks are a tasty choice for any meal, combining sticky, sweet, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by mixing together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl. Ensure the honey is fully dissolved to create a smooth marinade that guarantees even flavor throughout the chicken.
- Place your chicken drumsticks in a large resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure each drumstick is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. If grilling or air frying, have those set up too. After marinating, remove the drumsticks from the marinade and shake off the excess. This will help achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior when cooking.
- If baking, arrange the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, turning them halfway through for even cooking. If grilling, aim for 20-25 minutes, turning them occasionally. To ensure safety, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, take the reserved marinade and heat it in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix the cornstarch with water in a separate bowl to create a slurry, then stir this into the heated marinade. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens, which will allow it to beautifully coat the drumsticks when served.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, drizzle the thickened sauce over the drumsticks and top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside steamed rice or a fresh salad.
Notes
- For juicy chicken, choose drumsticks that have smooth skin and no discolorations. The quality of your soy sauce is also important; opt for a good quality, reduced-sodium variety to control saltiness without sacrificing flavor.
- Massage the marinade into the drumsticks when using a resealable bag to ensure even distribution. The rice vinegar not only adds brightness but also aids in tenderizing the chicken.
- If you want to switch things up, this recipe works well in the oven, on the grill, or in an air fryer, adapting smoothly to your available kitchen equipment.
- Leftover honey soy chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven for the best texture.
- If you’re looking to tweak the flavors, adding red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha can give these drumsticks a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Drumsticks: Look for the freshest drumsticks with smooth skin and no discoloration. They’re key to that juicy texture.
- Soy Sauce: Choose a good quality sodium-reduced soy sauce for less saltiness. This adds depth without overwhelming flavors.
- Honey: Use pure honey, preferably raw, for a rich sweetness that balances the savory soy. Avoid processed honey for best flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Opt for unseasoned rice vinegar with a delicate flavor that brightens the marinade. It’s important for a subtle tang!
- Sesame Oil: Go for toasted sesame oil—it’s fragrant and nutty, enhancing the overall taste of your marinade.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best; chop it finely to release essential oils and maximize flavor. It’s vital for that aromatic kick!
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger works wonders for spice and warmth. Avoid powdered ginger for this recipe; freshness matters.
- Cornstarch: This helps thicken your sauce at the end. Using it ensures the glaze clings nicely to the drumsticks.
- Water: Just a little water is needed to create the cornstarch slurry. It helps achieve the right sauce consistency.
- Green Onions: Fresh green onions are perfect for garnish, adding a nice crunch and fresh flavor contrast to the dish.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds bring a nutty crunch and look great on top. They add finishing texture to your dish.
Recipe Baking Tips
- If you want crispy skin, pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels before marinating to remove excess moisture.
- When the sauce is too runny, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water 10 minutes before the chicken finishes cooking to thicken it.
- If using a grill, preheat it on high for about 10 minutes before adding the drumsticks for even cooking and attractive grill marks.
- For more intense flavor, marinate the chicken overnight instead of the minimum 2 hours for better absorption.
- If your chicken isn’t browning, turn it every 15 minutes while cooking to promote even caramelization on all sides.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice. Add a side of sautéed green beans or a crisp cucumber salad.
Use to make lettuce wraps or serve alongside vegetable stir-fry. Add to a grain bowl with quinoa and fresh vegetables.
Top with a drizzle of the thickened marinade or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Garnish with chopped green onions for added freshness.
Recipe variations
- You can use chicken wings instead of drumsticks for a smaller bite-sized alternative that cooks up faster while still absorbing the wonderful honey soy flavors.
- Add a tablespoon of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or two tablespoons of sriracha for a more pronounced heat to the marinade mixture.
- Either bone-in or boneless chicken can work well for this recipe. If using boneless, shorten the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
- If serving a larger group, you can double the recipe using 16 chicken drumsticks, ensuring there is plenty for everyone to enjoy at dinner.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your honey soy chicken drumsticks fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Freezing: Wrap drumsticks in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Meal Prep: For meal prep, portion drumsticks in airtight containers, refrigerate up to 3 days, and reheat as needed.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
A chicken drumstick is the lower part of the chicken leg, containing more meat than wings and a larger bone.
No, drumsticks and thighs are different; drumsticks refer specifically to the lower leg portion of the chicken.
You should arrange drumsticks in a foil-lined roasting tin and roast them for 30 minutes, brushing with glaze after 20 minutes.
Yes, boiling drumsticks before baking can help prevent undercooking and reduce oven time.
A chicken drumstick contains approximately 12-15 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Chicken skin needs to be dry for crispiness; ensure skin is dry before cooking, regardless of rinsing.
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