Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Drumsticks (Printable)

Tender baked drumsticks with caramelized honey garlic coating

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds), skin-on

→ Marinade & Glaze

02 - 1/3 cup honey
03 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
04 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or green onions

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, ginger, black pepper, paprika, and salt until well combined.
03 - Pat chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Add them to the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly in the marinade.
04 - Arrange drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Reserve remaining marinade for basting.
05 - Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and brush drumsticks generously with reserved marinade.
06 - Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until drumsticks are golden and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 175°F.
07 - For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The glaze becomes impossibly sticky and sweet without any fancy techniques
  • Everything happens on one pan so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • These drumsticks reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Soggy skin happens when you skip patting the chicken dry before marinating
  • That extra broil at the end transforms good drumsticks into great ones
  • The glaze can burn quickly under the broiler, so stand there and watch it like a hawk
03 -
  • Use a pastry brush reserved for savory dishes since honey glaze lingers
  • Line your baking sheet with foil under the parchment for double protection
  • Let the glaze sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it's too thick to brush

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