Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken drumsticks, about 2 1/2 pounds total, patted dry
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
For Garnish (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. This is your honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Place the seasoned drumsticks in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour about 3/4 of the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, reserving the remaining 1/4 of the sauce for basting. Ensure the chicken is well coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, marinate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight.
⏱️ 30 min
- 5
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is some space between each piece for even cooking.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the baking sheet from the oven and baste the drumsticks with some of the reserved honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Return the drumsticks to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and slightly caramelized. Baste once more halfway through this second baking period.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven. If desired, brush with any remaining sauce from the baking sheet. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley, if using.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as rice or steamed vegetables.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks
For the Chicken
- 8 chicken drumsticks, about 2 1/2 pounds total, patted dry
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated fresh
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
For Garnish (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined. This is your honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Place the seasoned drumsticks in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour about 3/4 of the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, reserving the remaining 1/4 of the sauce for basting. Ensure the chicken is well coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, marinate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight.
⏱️ 30 min - 5
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is some space between each piece for even cooking.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the baking sheet from the oven and baste the drumsticks with some of the reserved honey garlic sauce.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Return the drumsticks to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and slightly caramelized. Baste once more halfway through this second baking period.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven. If desired, brush with any remaining sauce from the baking sheet. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley, if using.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Serve hot with your favorite side dishes, such as rice or steamed vegetables.