Last updated on February 21st, 2018 at 01:49 pm
Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks – oven baked chicken in an amazing honey, soy and garlic sauce. Tender, meat falls off the bone, delicious chicken!
I know that many times with my recipes I tell you that this recipe is the best. But I mean it. You guys, this chicken! These truly are the best drumsticks you could ever have. If you think chicken drumsticks are boring, think again!
MY LATEST VIDEOSThese drumsticks have been marinated in an unbelievable honey and soy sauce with garlic and ginger and my favorite oil, sesame oil. As you bake them, something magical happens. They turn into this beautiful rusty, caramel color and the smell is going to drive you and your pets crazy. The meat becomes so tender, it simply falls off the bone. And that sauce, you cannot throw away that juice that is left in your pan. That juice is money! Serve this with a nice French baguette and make sure you pour some of that juice over you chicken, and use your bread to soak in that yumminess. Or better yet, serve this over a side of mashed potatoes and pour that juice over the potatoes. Trust me, it’s a good thing, your tummy and your taste buds will be pleased.
The great thing about this recipe is that it inspired me to try different combinations next time, like with beer and honey, or a spicy and sweet combination. Chicken drumsticks are the best. You may also use thighs if you want.
I garnished my drumsticks with a lot of fresh parsley that hubs just got from his herb garden, which sadly is coming to an end. Did I mention it’s going to snow here in a couple days? He had to cut out all the parsley and freeze it up, but did I ever enjoy having fresh herbs all summer. I’m sure going to miss this.
But regardless, we have lots of beautiful fresh parsley for now. It smells heavenly and it just looks so beautiful over these drumsticks. You can’t go wrong with this simple recipe for a perfect meal.
If you’re looking for other chicken ideas, try these:
- East African Braised chicken
- Crockpot Thai Chicken Thighs!
- Sesame Garlic Chicken.
- One Pot Chicken Drumsticks with Beluga Lentils
- Baked Garlic and Ginger Chicken Drumsticks
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!
Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks - oven baked chicken in an amazing honey, soy and garlic sauce. Tender, meat falls off the bone, delicious chicken!
- 3 lbs chicken drumsticks bone in, with skin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 5 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger freshly grated, ginger powder works as well, about 1/2 tsp
- 1/4 tsp pepper freshly ground
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish
- In a shallow baking dish, about 2 inches deep and 4.8 quart, whisk all the ingredients together, excluding the chicken. Add chicken and toss making sure each piece is coated with the marinade.
- Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for a couple hours. I kept mine in the fridge overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
- Remove plastic wrap and bake the drumsticks for about an hour, turn them over half way through. This way they will get nice color all around.
Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and/or an easy salad.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Wow, this is a keeper! Just delicious! The sauce bubbles up around the chicken and coats it and makes it nice and golden brown and boy does it smell heavenly while baking! I served with a side of rice and sautéed broccoli and it was a big hit!
So good! Such a cheap yet delicious meal. That pan juice was unbelievable 😍😍😍
I make this at least 3 times a month. My family loves it so much thank you for this awesome recipe! One question I have is why yours turns out more orange, mine is mostly black from the soy sauce I use.
So glad you like it! It probably depends on the type of soy sauce you use, I always the low sodium soy sauce which is a bit lighter in color so it shouldn’t really turn it black. Plus it could also be how roasted your chicken legs are, if you roast them a bit longer they will be a bit darker.
Mmmm, this was a winner at our house tonight! Delicious! My husband raved about it.
I will not have time for them to marinade. Is that a problem?
Hi Catherine, Don’t worry about marinating the chicken, I have talked about marinating in a few posts already but marinating meat is actually a myth, believe it or not and doesn’t really do much to the protein beside act as seasoning. So don’t worry about it!
Hi Jo! Please forgive me, I added a comment about Catherine’s question about marinating not realizing I was not responding to your recipe she was questioning. Instead I was commenting on your smoked paprika chicken legs that I just made. Oops Sorry, btw the smoked paprika legs were fantastic! Thanks for all your recipes! Hope to make some more soon!! Blessings!!
Hi Catherine! I made this wonderful meal for a church gathering & it was fantastic. I did not realize about marinating, but it turned out great. I did pierce the legs prior on both sides slightly to allow juices to flow. Also half through recipe I turned the legs over, everyone raved! A big thanks to Hi! Can’t wait to try more recipes by Jo!!!
I was out of honey and substituted with mayple syrup! I will let you know how it turns out.. Fingers crossed!!
Really good, the whole family loved it. Thanks Jo!
Thanks for sharing this recipe Jo! I made it today it was a success my boys loved it! They even asked for seconds lol My 6 year old son says it taste like grandma’s cooking. Whilst to me the taste and flavours reminds me of our traditional Laotian pork casserole- Thom khem. This recipe is a keeper and will definitely make it again.
Glad you guys liked it!
Tried this before–love it. I’m halving the recipe, do I need to change how long it’s in the oven for?
Probably not, it’ll still take the same amount of time to cook the chicken, just use a smaller dish.
I will try this tonight.
amazing recipe…didnt know oven-baked drumsticks can be this good…thanks Jo for the simple recipe
Glad you liked them Mitch!
Can this be made with skinless drumsticks?
Of course!!!
omg! To die for!,,
Hi Jo,
Can this recipe be adapted for chicken breasts and if so, what temp and cooking time would you recommend? Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try it!
I would use the same temperature and if you have a meat thermometer the chicken breast is done when it reaches 165 F degrees. If you don’t have one, make a small cut into the chicken and if it’s still pink keep it a few minutes longer.
Tried this recipe tonight using chicken thighs …… The best marinade I have ever tried . Perfect blend of ingredients, and yes, I did spoon some on my mashed potatoes. Outstanding !!!!!! This will be a weekly recipe for me. Going to try on Pork and also ribs ….Altho you didn’t ask , my friends request my mashed potatoes when we have a girls dinner. Just boil potatoes in salted H2O, as usual……. add about 1/2 stick of butter , for 6 potatoes , couple of squirts of horseradish sauce and a pinch or two of nutmeg. whip @ this point , and then taste .. more horseradish ? ( Horseradish sauce should not jump out at you) . Add 1/2 $ 1/2 ( or milk ) and mix with mixer until desired consistency ……. MMMM ! Got this recipe from 2 friends that are gourmet cooks ..
Your web site is the best , Jo….. Better than the food network ( except for Ina Garten )…. Cook Book soon to come I hope …….. Thanks .
Sue S. Haverhill, Ma
Suzane you just made my day, my week!!! Thank you thank you, and I’m so glad you liked this recipe. 🙂
Delicious recipe! Wonderful flavours and the sauce is perfect to spoon over rice…mmm. We used chicken thighs, which turned out really nicely…Will make again for sure!
We usually don’t eat drumsticks, but these looked so good I thought I’d give them a try. My whole family loved them! We’re making them again tonight. 🙂
So glad you guys liked them. 🙂
Oh this chicken looks so good! I could drink the sauce!