Savory Sticky Asian Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
This recipe features chicken drumsticks coated in a sweet, salty, and tangy Asian-inspired glaze that is sticky, glossy, and full of flavor. Perfect for a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, skin-on
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced thin for garnish
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using until honey is fully incorporated.
- Marinate the drumsticks: Place chicken drumsticks in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over them, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack placed on top.
- Arrange chicken: Remove drumsticks from marinade (reserve marinade) and place them spaced apart on the wire rack.
- Bake for 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches about 160°F (71°C) and skin starts to crisp.
- Glaze and broil: Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thick and syrupy, about 5-7 minutes. Brush the thickened glaze generously over drumsticks.
- Switch oven to broil and place chicken back under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to caramelize glaze without burning.
- Let drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Keep the broiler door slightly open to prevent flare-ups. If no wire rack is available, place drumsticks directly on foil and flip halfway through baking. Marinate longer for deeper flavor. Simmer reserved marinade to thicken before glazing to ensure food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 drumsticks p
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken drumsticks, sticky glaze, Asian chicken, easy dinner, honey soy chicken, baked chicken, savory chicken