If you’re looking for a recipe that will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation, you’re going to want to try this Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out—the chicken comes out juicy, tender, and that sweet-savory glaze will have you licking your fingers every time. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how simple ingredients could create such a complex flavor. Keep reading, and I’ll share everything you need to make this fan-freaking-tastic dish your own!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and Savory Perfection: The combination of honey, soy sauce, and a hint of ginger creates an irresistible glaze.
Juicy, Tender Chicken Every Time: Marinating overnight ensures the flavors soak in and the drumsticks stay moist.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You probably already have everything in your pantry to make this dish tonight.
Easy Cleanup: Baking on parchment-lined sheets keeps things mess-free and hassle-free.

The image shows a black rectangular baking dish filled with roasted chicken drumsticks. The drumsticks have a shiny, golden-brown glaze with some dark charred spots. They are sprinkled with white sesame seeds and small green chopped herbs, adding color contrast. The dish sits on a dark wooden surface with a bunch of green chives to the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe lies in its balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. I’ll walk you through each ingredient to help you make smart choices when shopping or adapting the recipe.

Chicken drumsticks: Choose drumsticks with skin on for the best flavor and crispiness.
Honey: I recommend pure honey—its natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
Soy sauce: Use regular or low-sodium depending on your salt preference; it adds that essential umami kick.
Orange juice: Freshly squeezed if you can—it brightens the glaze and adds a subtle citrus zing.
Dijon mustard: Provides a gentle tang that balances the sweetness.
Garlic: Minced or finely grated for a punch of savory depth.
Ginger: Freshly grated for a warm, fragrant touch that elevates the glaze.
Sesame seeds and chives (optional): These garnishes add a lovely finish — nutty crunch and fresh color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. It’s super customizable, which means you can really make it your own depending on your taste or dietary needs.

Spicy Kick: Adding a teaspoon of sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade gives the glaze a nice heat, which my family absolutely goes crazy for during cooler months.
Gluten-Free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos — I’ve done this often for gluten-sensitive friends and still get that deep savory flavor.
Herb-Infused: Toss in some fresh rosemary or thyme into the marinade to add herby aroma. I discovered this trick when I wanted a more “Sunday dinner” type of vibe.
Sticky Wings Version: Use chicken wings instead of drumsticks and reduce cook time slightly for party appetizers.

How to Make Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Flavor Bomb Marinade

Start by combining the honey, soy sauce, orange juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Whisk until everything is blended into a smooth, glossy mixture. This glaze is the heart of the recipe, so take a moment to enjoy that sweet, tangy aroma—it’s addictive! Reserving about 2/3 cup of this marinade separately is key later on for brushing over the chicken at the end.

Step 2: Marinate for Maximum Flavor and Moisture

Place your chicken drumsticks into a large zip-top bag or a sealable food saver bag. Pour in the marinade (except the reserved part) and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Gently massage the bag so the marinade coats every drumstick evenly. I like to let mine hang out in the fridge for at least 6 hours—but overnight really takes it to the next level. This step is where the magic of tender, juicy chicken happens.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a rack in the center position. Line a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper to catch all the drips and keep cleanup a breeze. Arrange the drumsticks skin-side up on the sheet, making sure they’re not touching—this helps them bake evenly and crisp up nicely. Pour just enough marinade to lightly coat the bottom of the pan—you don’t want a swimming pool of sauce here, just enough to keep them moist and flavor-rich during baking.

Step 4: Bake and Flip for Even Cooking

Bake the drumsticks at 400°F for 25 minutes. At this point, the chicken juices are settling and the glaze starts to caramelize. Next, flip the drumsticks skin-side down and bake for another 20 minutes. This helps cook the meat thoroughly and develop flavor under the skin. If you LOVE crispy, caramelized skin like I do, take the last step: once the chicken is done baking, flip the drumsticks skin-side up and broil them for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close eye here—it only takes a moment to go from golden perfection to burnt!

Step 5: Simmer and Glaze

While the chicken is baking, pour that reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 7 minutes until it thickens into a luscious syrup. Once your drumsticks are out of the oven, brush them generously with this thickened glaze. It gives the dish that beautiful glossy finish and layers on even more flavor.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

For an optional finishing touch, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped chives over your chicken. It adds texture, a pop of color, and a little extra flair that never fails to impress guests at the table.

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Pro Tips for Making Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Marinate Longer for Best Flavor: Marinating at least 6 hours is great, but overnight truly lets the flavors sink in, giving you juicy drumsticks bursting with taste.
Watch the Broil Time Closely: Your oven broiler is super powerful; careful monitoring prevents burning while giving you that perfect crispy skin.
Use a Rack for Even Cooking: Elevating the drumsticks on a wire rack helps the heat circulate and keeps the skin crispy instead of soggy.
Don’t Skip Reserving Marinade: Brushing on thickened reserved marinade is a game-changer for flavor depth and a glossy, irresistible finish.

How to Serve Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A close-up view of several cooked drumsticks stacked together, each drumstick has a shiny, sticky orange-brown glaze with darker charred spots giving a caramelized texture. The skin looks crispy with some rough edges, topped with white sesame seeds and small pieces of fresh green chives scattered evenly across the drumsticks. The lighting shows off the glossy, moist surface, making the drumsticks look juicy and flavorful, all set on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always go for toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped chives as garnishes. They add that little crunch and herbaceous brightness that makes the dish pop visually and flavor-wise. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions or a few chili flakes work beautifully too.

Side Dishes

This honey-glazed chicken goes wonderfully with fluffy steamed rice or garlic mashed potatoes. I’ve also paired it with roasted veggies like broccoli or snap peas—something simple but fresh to balance out the richness of the glaze. When I’m in a rush, a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette does the trick nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve these drumsticks on a large wooden cutting board garnished with fresh herbs for a rustic look. You can also pass them around on a platter with small bowls of extra glaze for dipping—always a crowd-pleaser at parties. Wrapping the ends in foil “handle covers” makes them easy and mess-free to eat, especially with kids.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover honey glazed drumsticks store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always make sure the chicken has cooled fully before sealing to keep it fresh longer. When I’ve stored leftovers, the flavor actually seems to deepen even more overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these drumsticks successfully by cooling completely and then packing them in freezer-safe bags. They keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. This trick helps preserve that juicy texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I like popping them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, so the skin flakes back to life and the glaze stays sticky and fresh. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the skin soft, so I avoid it when possible.

FAQs

Can I use other parts of chicken instead of drumsticks for this Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe?

Absolutely! While drumsticks work best for their juicy meat and crispy skin, you can use chicken thighs or wings with similar results. Just adjust the baking time accordingly: thighs usually need a bit less, wings even less. Always check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?

Marinating for at least 6 hours is recommended to let the flavors soak in, but if you’re short on time, even 1-2 hours will add some flavor. Overnight marinating, however, really takes the dish to the next level with juicy, flavorful results.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. This swap keeps the same rich umami flavor without the gluten, and I’ve found it works perfectly without sacrificing taste.
How do I prevent the chicken skin from getting soggy during baking?

Using a wire rack on your baking sheet and making sure chicken pieces aren’t touching lets air circulate and helps the skin crisp nicely. Also, flipping the chicken halfway through baking and finishing with a brief broil really does wonders for crispiness.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it’s as versatile as it is delicious. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family on a weeknight or want to impress friends with minimal effort, this dish never disappoints. The balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors makes every bite a little celebration. I hope you give it a try and fall in love with it just like I did. Trust me—once you make these, they’ll be on repeat in your kitchen!