There’s nothing quite like biting into a juicy baked chicken drumstick — except maybe a glazed one. These Glazed Chicken Drumsticks are simple to prepare and lean toward the healthier side. Using quality chicken (I often buy organic from my local market) gives the dish a fresher flavor. Because the glaze is the star, resist heavy seasoning on the meat itself: a few basic seasonings let the glaze shine.
Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
3
servings
5
minutes
50
minutes
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
-
6 chicken drumsticks
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon grapeseed oil or olive oil
- For the Glaze:
-
2 tablespoons soy sauce
-
1 teaspoon water
-
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
-
1 teaspoon honey
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- For the Glaze:
- Whisk together soy sauce, water, grated ginger, honey, and garlic powder. Set the glaze aside until the chicken is nearly done.
- For the Chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly season the drumsticks with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub them with grapeseed or olive oil.
- Arrange the drumsticks on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 50 minutes, turning once halfway through so they cook evenly.
- When the drumsticks are cooked, remove them from the oven and brush the glaze generously over each piece.
- Return the glazed drumsticks to the oven for 3–5 minutes so the glaze sets and becomes slightly sticky.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions if desired. Serve with rice, a simple salad, or steamed vegetables.
The recipe keeps the seasoning simple to let the glaze be the main flavor. I prefer grapeseed oil for its light, neutral taste and lower saturated fat content, but any neutral oil will work. While the drumsticks bake, prepare the glaze and have it ready to brush on at the end. The brief return to the oven helps the glaze cling and caramelize slightly, creating a glossy finish.
After baking and glazing, allow the drumsticks to rest so the juices redistribute. These pair beautifully with rice — drizzle any extra glaze over the rice for extra flavor — or serve alongside roasted potatoes and steamed greens. The glaze is versatile and complements a wide range of sides, making these drumsticks an easy crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!
