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comforting honey garlic drumsticks

Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

These sticky-sweet honey garlic chicken drumsticks deliver the perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors in an easy weeknight meal. The rich sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, creating a glossy coating that looks impressive yet requires minimal effort. Budget-friendly and delicious, this comfort food classic will satisfy the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 4 pounds chicken legs skinless
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Saucepan
  • Casserole dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Place the skinless chicken legs in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil or a lid.
  3. Bake covered for 60 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  4. While chicken is baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and cornstarch.
  5. Add water, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic to the saucepan.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Once chicken is done, drain off the cooking juices and transfer drumsticks to a heatproof casserole dish.
  8. Pour the sticky-sweet sauce over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
  9. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For maximum flavor, use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced garlic from a jar. If you prefer, you can leave the skin on the drumsticks for a richer result, though skinless allows the sauce to better penetrate the meat.
The cooking juices from the chicken can be saved to flavor rice or soup bases - don't waste this flavorful liquid!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.