Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Legs – Easy Sticky Drumsticks Dinner

These Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Legs are the ultimate "set it and forget it" dinner that looks and tastes like a restaurant favorite. The overnight marinade creates a perfectly sticky, sweet, and savory glaze that clings to every bite of the juicy drumsticks. It’s an effortless, budget-friendly meal that’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Marinate Time8

Total Time9

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe, Best Honey Garlic Glaze, Cheap and Easy Weeknight Meals, Crispy Baked Honey Garlic Chicken, Easy Sticky Drumsticks Dinner, Family Favorite Chicken Dinner, Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Legs, Oven Roasted Sticky Drumsticks, Sticky Asian Chicken Legs, Sweet and Savory Chicken Marinade

Servings: servings

Calories: 414kcal

Author: George - U Keep Cooking

Equipment

9 x 13 baking dish

Ingredients

Marinate Overnight

4 lbs chicken drumsticks (family pack of chicken legs, about 12 chicken drumsticks)
½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
8 cloves garlic (grated)
1 tablespoon ginger (fresh)(grated)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Optional garnish

sliced green onions
sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or a large zip-top bag. Drying the chicken helps the marinade stick better.
Make the marinade: In a medium bowl whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Whisk well so the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This marinade will thicken while baking and turn into a sticky glaze.
Marinate the chicken: Pour the marinade over the drumsticks and toss well so every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl (or seal the bag) and refrigerate.
Marinate at least 8 hours or overnight for the best flavor. If possible, turn the chicken once or twice while marinating so everything absorbs evenly.
Preheat the oven: When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange the chicken: Pour the chicken and all of the marinade into a large baking dish or sheet pan. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Bake the chicken: Bake for 25 minutes, turning the drumsticks once halfway through cooking. As the chicken bakes, the marinade will begin to bubble and thicken into a glossy sauce.
Finish baking: Continue baking another 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens into a rich sticky glaze the drumsticks are coated in the honey garlic sauce If you want extra caramelization, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Garnish: Remove from the oven and spoon the thick glaze over the drumsticks. Sprinkle with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the sticky honey garlic chicken drumsticks hot with rice, roasted vegetables, or noodles. The sauce will be sweet, garlicky, slightly spicy, and perfectly sticky, coating every piece of chicken.

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