Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks tossed in a simple honey soy marinade and oven baked to juicy perfection. These baked chicken legs are easy to make and always delicious!
I love baked chicken recipes! Cooking chicken in the oven is easy and a very simple way to produce juicy, crispy and tasty roasted chicken without a lot of effort.
This baked chicken drumsticks recipe with honey soy marinade is the absolute best and a satisfying quick and easy dinner option, especially during busy weeknights.
As if juicy and crispy baked chicken wasn’t enough to convince you to make this recipe, chicken legs are budget-friendly, easy to prepare, can easily feed a crowd and kids love them as they are so easy to eat. Who wouldn’t love holding a chicken leg on one hand?!
How To Bake Chicken Drumsticks
It doesn’t get much easier than these one-pan Baked Chicken Drumsticks! The Asian inspired 5-ingredient marinade comes together quickly and has so much flavor!
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag (gallon size works). You can use a shallow baking dish if you prefer.
- Add the chicken legs to the marinade and seal the bag removing as much air from the bag as possible. Massage the marinade into the chicken until the legs are well coated.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight. The longer you marinate the chicken, the tastier it will get.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the chicken and the marinade in a baking dish or a rimmed sheet pan. The chicken will release its juices while roasting so using the proper baking dish is a must!
- Bake the chicken drumsticks uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Served garnished with scallions (optional).
Are Baked Chicken Legs Healthy?
Chicken legs are an excellent source of protein and a nutritious and healthy option if prepared in the right way. Baking chicken in the oven, is much healthier than fried chicken for sure! If you are following a low-fat diet, remove the chicken skin before eating it. I prefer baking the chicken with the skin on to make sure the meat doesn’t dry up, however you can remove it if you prefer. Buying organic chicken without added hormones is always best!
Because of the honey in the marinade, I like to bake the chicken drumsticks at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 to 50 minutes. This temperature allows for the chicken to keep moist and juicy in the inside while caramelizing the exterior to golden brown perfection.
Yes! You can use any part of the chicken you prefer for this easy baked recipe. Bone-in and boneless pieces work well. Chicken drums, chicken thighs and chicken breasts are some of my favorite options. Cooking times may vary depending on what you choose. As always, it is best to check the chicken’s internal temperature with a instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken is perfectly cooked.
No, don’t cover the chicken when baking. Bake the chicken uncovered and allow it to get golden brown.
Chicken Drumsticks
According to Google, you get 4 drumsticks in a pound. However, I purchased a 4-pound pack of chicken drumsticks and I got 12 drumsticks! Yes, they were big, meaty and fabulous! The recipe below asks for 4 pounds of chicken legs and serves 6 people – That is about 12 drumsticks total, counting that each person gets 2 legs (although I could really eat 3 if no one is watching!).
Can This Chicken Drumstick Legs Recipe Be Made Ahead?
Yes! this chicken recipe can be made ahead.
- Prepare the marinade up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- You can marinate the chicken and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking so it comes to room temperature before baking.
- To store cooked chicken legs leftover, cool the chicken and store it in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
What Is The Safe Temperature For Cooked Chicken?
For safety, always cook chicken until the juices run clear and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
Tips For The Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
- If you don’t have fresh ginger, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Periodically, check on the chicken as it cooks. If the marinade seems to be drying up in the baking dish, add about 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
- If the chicken is getting overly dark, you can cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. You can also lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees.
- For the honey and soy marinade, I like to press (or grate) the garlic and grate the ginger so they don’t burn while baking in the oven.
- The Asian inspired Honey-Soy marinade can be used to marinate chicken breasts, pork chops, pork loin and lamb chops.
What To Serve With Backed Chicken Drumsticks?
Here are some of our favorite side dishes to serve with this juicy and tender baked chicken:
- White Rice
- Sauteed Green Beans
- Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Check Some Of Our Favorite Baked Recipes
- How Long To Bake Chicken Breast
- Simple Salmon Recipe
- Oven Baked Pork Chops
- Baked Greek Meatballs
- Crispy Baked Tofu
- Baking Bacon in Oven
Check Some Of Our Favorite Recipes
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Honey Soy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 garlic cloves, pressed or grated
- 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 12 drumsticks)
- 1 scallion thinly sliced for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large zip top bag, combine the garlic, ginger, oil, soy sauce, honey and ground black pepper. I massage the bottom of the bag to make sure the honey blends well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Place the chicken drumsticks into the zip top bag, close and shake the bag to make sure all the chicken pieces get coated with the marinade. I like to massage the chicken a bit just to make sure the marinade penetrates every piece of chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the chicken in a single layer on a baking pan or rimmed baking sheet (the marinade leftover in the bag can also be placed on the baking pan).
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until cooked through.
Video
Chef’s Tips
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before its consumption.
- If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Periodically, check on the chicken as it cooks. If the marinade seems to be drying up in the baking dish, add about 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
- If marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes, place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator. Remove the chilled marinated chicken from the fridge about 20-30 minutes before baking so the chicken pieces have time to come to room temperature.
Nutrition
Duncan says
This was so easy and quick to prepare. Made it in the morning and left in fridge until ready to cook teatime. Took it out of fridge 30 mins before putting in oven so that the chicken pieces got back to room temp. Cooked it at 175 fan oven for 50 mins turning them all after 25 mins. Was excellent in taste and served it with pots roasted at the same time with chopped pinions and chicken gravy. Cheap meal as the chicken drumsticks only cost £1.50 in our local Lidl. It served 5 people. Thanks for the menu very appreciated.
Kathy says
Hi Duncan, I am so glad you liked the recipe. It seems like you had a fabulous and affordable meal! Thank you.
Lauren Kelley says
I made this last night and it came out amazing!! I already can’t wait to make it again, would definitely recommend giving it a try!:)
Kathy says
Hi Lauren,Thank you! I am so happy to hear you liked the chicken. Thank you!
Rakhi Tailor says
I love this recipe, but my sheet pan always gets burned from the marinade. What kind of pan do you recommend using? Thank you
Kathy says
Hi Rakhi, You can use an oven safe ceramic baking pan or a pyrex like this one Pyrex Baking Pan (affiliate link). My grandma always used the pyrex type baking pans and I do too!
Iris Kacor says
This recipe is sooo delicious.
All my family loved it and most notably my 3 year old Granddaughter.
Thank you!
Kathy says
Hi Iris! I am so happy to hear you all loved it, especially your little granddaughter. That makes my heart sing! xo
Ellen F Hurwitch says
I usually do not leave comments but this recipe was quite a winner! Thanks for posting!
Kathy says
Thank you! Happy to hear you liked it.
Debra says
Great recipe. Easy too.
Kathy says
Thank you Debra!
Kathy says
Thank you! xo
Brian says
I made this for dinner for my wife and teenage boys, it was a hit. THank you for sharing!
Kathy says
Thank you Brian. So glad to hear you and your family liked this recipe.
Diana L says
This was a FANTASTIC EASY recipe!!! A real winner .
Mellissa S. says
I made this for supper tonight, and it was fantastic!! It’s going in my keeper file. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!
Kathy says
Thanks Melissa!