Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

$- 8 chicken drumsticks - 1/2 cup honey - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 2 tablespoons water - Chopped green onions for garnish - Sesame seeds for garnish To make honey garlic glazed chicken drumsticks, start with fresh chicken drumsticks. These juicy pieces of meat soak up the sweet and savory flavors very well. Honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the saltiness of low-sodium soy sauce. Next, you’ll need garlic and ginger. These two ingredients give the dish a bold taste. Fresh garlic, minced finely, brings a strong aroma. Grated ginger adds warmth and a hint of spice. Sesame oil gives a nice, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste. Black pepper adds a little heat to round out the dish. To create that lovely glaze, you mix cornstarch with water. This thickens the sauce and makes it stick to the chicken. Don't forget the garnishes! Chopped green onions and sesame seeds make your dish look pretty and fresh. These add color and a crunch to every bite. Now you have all the key ingredients to make a tasty and satisfying meal! {{ingredient_image_2}} Marinating the drumsticks First, mix the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk these until smooth. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the honey garlic marinade over the drumsticks. Make sure all the pieces are coated well. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least one hour. For the best flavor, marinate for up to twelve hours. Prepping the oven and baking sheet While the chicken marinates, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This makes cleanup easy. Set a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the chicken, helping it crisp up nicely. Baking process and basting After marinating, remove the chicken from the marinade. Let any excess marinade drip off. Arrange the drumsticks on the wire rack. Bake them for 25 to 30 minutes. Halfway through, baste the chicken with some of the thickened marinade. This adds extra flavor and helps create a nice glaze. Making the thickened sauce To make the sauce, bring the leftover marinade to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this into the boiling marinade. Keep stirring for about two minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, remove it from the heat. Use a basting brush to coat the chicken with this glaze before serving. This adds a beautiful shine and flavor. - The best marination time is 1 to 12 hours. Longer marination gives more flavor. - Use a resealable bag for easy handling. Seal it well to keep the marinade inside. If using a dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap. - To get crispy skin, bake the drumsticks on a wire rack. This allows air to flow around them. - Make sure all drumsticks are similar in size. This helps them cook evenly. If they are different sizes, cut the larger ones down a bit. Pro Tips Marination Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken drumsticks for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply for a richer taste. Thickening the Sauce: Ensure the leftover marinade reaches a rolling boil before adding the cornstarch mixture. This helps achieve the right consistency for a glossy glaze. Perfect Crispiness: Elevating the chicken on a wire rack allows hot air to circulate, leading to perfectly crispy skin. Don’t skip this step! Garnishing: For added flavor and presentation, use fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley along with green onions and sesame seeds as a garnish. {{image_4}} You can easily change the sauce. Adding a spicy kick is a great idea. Just mix in some chili flakes or a dash of sriracha. This will give your dish a whole new flavor. If you prefer a different sweetness, try using maple syrup or agave instead of honey. Each option will give a unique twist to the glaze. Do you want to switch up the meat? Chicken breasts or thighs work well too. They will still soak up the delicious honey garlic flavor. If you're looking for soy sauce alternatives, try tamari or coconut aminos. These choices fit various dietary needs and keep the dish tasty. After enjoying your honey garlic glazed chicken drumsticks, store the leftovers properly. Place the drumsticks in an airtight container. Ensure they cool down first. For best results, refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. This keeps them safe and fresh. - Refrigeration guidelines: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Best practices for storing cooked drumsticks: Layer parchment paper between drumsticks to prevent sticking. When it's time to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is key. You can use the oven or microwave. The oven gives the best results for crispy skin. - Methods for reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. - Ensuring chicken stays crispy during reheating: Cover with foil for the first 10 minutes, then uncover to crisp up the skin. If using a microwave, place on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in short bursts to avoid drying out. Can I use frozen chicken drumsticks? Yes, you can use frozen chicken drumsticks. However, thaw them first. I recommend defrosting them in the fridge overnight. This ensures even cooking and better flavor absorption from the marinade. How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked? To check if the chicken is done, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part. The juices should run clear, not pink. What sides pair well with honey garlic glazed chicken? This chicken tastes great with steamed jasmine rice or a fresh garden salad. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal. Try to balance the sweetness with some tangy or savory sides! How to adjust the recipe for larger servings? To serve more people, simply double the recipe. Use more drumsticks and adjust the marinade. Just ensure you have enough space in your oven. Bake in batches if needed to maintain crispiness. This blog post gave you a clear guide to making honey garlic glazed chicken drumsticks. You learned about the main and extra ingredients, plus tips for marinating and cooking. We shared fun sauce variations and ingredient swaps. Storing leftovers and reheating tips ensured your meal stays tasty. Now, you have everything you need to enjoy a flavorful dish. Don’t forget to get creative and make it your own!$

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

Delicious chicken drumsticks coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

8 pieces chicken drumsticks
0.5 cup honey
0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon sesame oil
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
to taste none chopped green onions for garnish
to taste none sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk them together until the mixture is smooth and uniformly blended.
Place the chicken drumsticks in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the honey garlic marinade over the drumsticks, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour, or up to 12 hours for the richest flavor.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to elevate the chicken, allowing air to circulate for the best crispiness.
After marinating, take the chicken drumsticks out of the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Arrange the drumsticks neatly on the wire rack.
In a small saucepan, bring the leftover marinade to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the boiling marinade, continuing to stir constantly for about 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, remove from heat.
Using a basting brush, coat the chicken drumsticks with some of the thickened marinade to enhance flavor and add a beautiful glaze.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the drumsticks are thoroughly cooked and the skin is golden and crispy. Be sure to baste the chicken with the glaze halfway through the cooking time for even more flavor.
Once the chicken is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the top of the drumsticks for a glossy finish.
Before serving, garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an added touch of freshness and elegance.

Notes

For best results, marinate the chicken for up to 12 hours.

Keyword chicken, drumsticks, glazed, honey garlic