Description
This Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with a perfect balance of sweet honey and savory soy sauce. Marinated with garlic and ginger, then baked to golden perfection, this dish is both flavorful and simple to prepare, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or weekend gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks (bone in, with skin)
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 5 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ginger powder)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, whisk together the olive oil, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and freshly ground black pepper until fully combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken drumsticks to the marinade and toss well to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Bake the drumsticks: Remove the plastic wrap from the marinated chicken, then place the casserole dish with the drumsticks in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, turning the drumsticks halfway through the cooking time to ensure even caramelization and browning.
- Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken is cooked through by reaching an internal temperature of 175°F (79°C).
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, sprinkle chopped parsley over the drumsticks to add freshness. Serve the chicken hot with the pan sauce for extra flavor, alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables if desired.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control saltiness in the dish.
- Turning the drumsticks halfway through baking ensures even caramelization and browning.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or roasted vegetables.
Keywords: Honey Soy Chicken, Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Asian Chicken Recipe, Honey Soy Marinade, Easy Chicken Dinner