Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Honey Garlic Glaze

That sounds absolutely delicious—a classic combination of sweet, savory, and sticky! Honey garlic glaze is perfect for baked chicken drumsticks because the heat caramelizes the honey and soy sauce, giving the skin a beautiful, glossy, and intensely flavorful coating.

Here is a popular and straightforward recipe for Baked Chicken Drumsticks with a Honey Garlic Glaze:

🍗 Honey Garlic Glazed Drumsticks

This recipe includes a quick marinade step for maximum flavor penetration and uses a simple, effective glaze.

📝 Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

Item	Amount	Notes
Chicken Drumsticks	$8 – 10$ pieces	Bone-in, skin-on. Pat them dry before starting!
Honey	$1/2$ cup ($120\text{ ml}$)	The base of the glaze.
Soy Sauce (Low Sodium)	$1/4$ cup ($60\text{ ml}$)	Provides savory, salty depth.
Garlic	4 cloves	Minced or finely grated (or 2 tsp garlic powder).
Apple Cider Vinegar	1 tablespoon	Adds essential acidity to balance the sweetness.
Ground Ginger (or fresh)	$1/2$ teaspoon	Optional, but adds warmth.
Black Pepper	To taste
Optional Garnish	Sesame seeds, chopped green onions

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken (Optional but Recommended)

1. Mix Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, and black pepper.
2. Coat Chicken: Place the drumsticks in a large zipper-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour about 2/3 of the marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining $1/3$ cup for basting/glazing later.
3. Chill: Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or ideally 4 hours, to infuse the meat with flavor.¹

2. Bake the Drumsticks

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).² Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup (the honey glaze gets very sticky!). Placing a wire rack on the sheet is optional but helps with crisping the bottom.
2. Arrange: Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade used for the raw chicken) and arrange the drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.³
3. First Bake: Bake for 20 minutes.

3. Baste and Glaze

1. Thicken Glaze (Optional): While the chicken bakes, take the reserved ⁴$1/3$ cup of marinade and pour it into a small saucepan.⁵ Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly into a syrupy glaze.⁶
2. Baste: Remove the drumsticks from the oven after the initial 20 minutes.⁷ Brush the chicken generously with the thickened, reserved glaze.
3. Final Bake: Return the drumsticks to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of ⁸$165^\circ\text{F}$ (⁹$74^\circ\text{C}$).¹⁰ The glaze should be sticky and beautifully caramelized.
4. Broil for Crispiness (Optional): For extra crisp skin and a deeper caramel color, place the oven rack near the top and broil the chicken for 2–4 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.¹¹

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Serve these immediately while they are hot and sticky! They pair perfectly with steamed rice or mashed potatoes and a fresh green salad.

Would you like a suggestion for a quick and fresh vegetable side dish that goes well with this savory-sweet chicken?