Of course! These Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect combination of sticky, sweet, and savory. They’re incredibly easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Sticky & Crispy Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks
This recipe creates drumsticks with a beautifully caramelized, glossy glaze and crispy skin, all with minimal effort.
Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes (+ optional 30 min marinate)
Cook time: 40-50 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
· 8-10 chicken drumsticks (about 2-2.5 lbs)
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 teaspoon salt
· ½ teaspoon black pepper
· 1 teaspoon paprika (for color and flavor)
For the Honey Garlic Glaze:
· ⅓ cup honey
· 4 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
· 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
· 1 tablespoon ketchup or sriracha (optional, for a touch of richness or heat)
· ½ teaspoon ginger, grated (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken drumsticks completely dry with paper towels—this is the secret to crispy skin!
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the drumsticks with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated.
- Initial Bake: Arrange the drumsticks on a parchment-lined or foil-lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup), making sure they aren’t touching. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Make the Glaze: While the chicken bakes, whisk together all the ingredients for the honey garlic glaze in a small bowl: honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup/sriracha/ginger if using.
- Glaze and Finish Baking: After 25 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven. Brush each drumstick generously with the honey garlic glaze. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is deeply golden, sticky, and the internal temperature reaches 175°F (80°C).
- Optional Broil: For extra caramelization, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning!
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can brush them with any remaining glaze that you heated to a boil on the stovetop (for food safety).
Pro Tips for the Best Drumsticks:
· For Extra Flavor: Marinate the drumsticks in the glaze for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the fridge before baking.
· Get Them Crispy: Using a wire rack on top of your baking sheet will allow heat to circulate all around the drumsticks, making the skin crispy on all sides.
· Don’t Crowd the Pan: Giving the drumsticks space ensures they bake and crisp up instead of steaming.
· Double the Glaze: If you love a saucy chicken, double the glaze ingredients and serve extra on the side.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these sticky drumsticks with:
· To soak up the sauce: Fluffy white rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice.
· Perfect sides: Roasted broccoli, green beans, or a simple garden salad.
Enjoy your incredibly easy and delicious baked chicken