Sweet & Sticky Honey Garlic Drumsticks Recipe

Why You’ll Love This these Sweet & Sticky Honey Garlic Drumsticks

These drumsticks are the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a sticky honey garlic glaze that’ll have everyone fighting over the last piece at dinner.

The sauce comes together in just minutes while your chicken bakes, which means you get maximum flavor with minimal effort – honestly, who doesn’t love a recipe that makes you look like a kitchen genius without breaking a sweat.

Plus, drumsticks are budget-friendly and naturally juicy, so even if you’re convinced you always overcook chicken, these beauties are pretty forgiving and practically guarantee tender, flavorful results every time.

Ingredients List

All you need is a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have hanging around your kitchen to create these finger-licking good drumsticks.

• 4 lbs skinless chicken legs
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• Sugar content: This recipe does pack quite a bit of sweetness with both brown sugar and honey, so if you’re watching your sugar intake, you could easily cut the brown sugar down to 1/2 cup without losing that sticky glaze magic
• Sodium levels: The soy sauce adds that umami depth we’re craving, but it also brings sodium to the party, so if you’re salt-sensitive, try using low-sodium soy sauce instead
• Protein power: At least we’re getting a solid protein hit from those drumsticks, and removing the skin does cut down on some of the saturated fat while still keeping all that juicy flavor locked in

Step by Step Directions



Making these honey garlic drumsticks is a straightforward process that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

• Prep your oven: Preheat to 375°F and get your roasting pan ready.
• Initial bake: Place the skinless chicken legs in the roasting pan, cover, and bake for 60 minutes.
• Save those juices: Once cooked, drain all the pan juices and set aside for another use (they make great gravy base!).
• Make the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a bowl to prevent lumps.
• Build the glaze: Add water, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic to a saucepan with your sugar mixture.
• Bring to boil: Heat the sauce mixture, stirring constantly until it comes to a rolling boil and thickens.
• Transfer and glaze: Move your cooked drumsticks to a heat-proof casserole dish.
• Final coating: Pour that gorgeous sticky sauce over the drumsticks, making sure each piece gets coated.
• Serve hot: Either serve immediately while the glaze is still glossy, or keep warm in the oven until ready to eat.
• Keep warm for guests: For entertaining, transfer the finished drumsticks to a slow cooker warmer to maintain perfect serving temperature throughout your party.

Substitutions and Variations

• Soy sauce swaps: Tamari works perfectly for gluten-free folks, and coconut aminos give it a slightly sweeter, less salty twist.
• Add some crunch: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions over the finished drumsticks for texture and color.
• Make it sticky-er: Want that sauce extra thick and clingy? Bump up the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons, just whisk it really well so you don’t get any weird lumps.
• Bone-in thighs: These work great too, just adjust your cooking time since thighs can be a bit more forgiving than drumsticks.

Additional Things to Serve With This Dish

These honey garlic drumsticks are basically begging for some good sides to soak up all that sticky, sweet sauce.

• Steamed jasmine rice – The classic choice that never fails, and it’s like having little sauce sponges on your plate.
• Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or carrots get caramelized edges that play so well with the honey garlic atmosphere.
• Asian-style coleslaw – Something crunchy and tangy cuts through all that richness, plus it looks pretty on the plate.
• Garlic mashed potatoes – Yes, more garlic, because why not double down on a good thing.
• Simple green salad – Sometimes you just need something fresh and light to balance out all the sticky sweetness.
• Egg fried rice – Turn this into a full Asian-inspired feast, and you can toss any leftover sauce right into the rice.
• Steamed green beans – They’re like little vehicles for transporting that gorgeous sauce from plate to mouth.

Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)

Making these drumsticks foolproof is all about timing and not overthinking the process.

• Don’t skip the draining step – Those chicken juices might look tempting to keep, but they’ll water down your gorgeous sauce and make everything less sticky.
• Test your sauce thickness on a spoon – It should coat the back but still drip off easily, kind of like a good pancake syrup consistency.
• Let the sauce cool for just a minute before pouring – Scorching hot sauce can make the chicken skin tough and chewy, which nobody wants.
• Save some sauce on the side – Trust me on this one, people will want to drizzle more on their rice or vegetables.
• Use a meat thermometer if you’re nervous – Drumsticks should hit 165°F internal temperature, though the 60-minute bake time usually does the trick.
• Double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd – These disappear faster than you’d think, and cold leftover drumsticks make excellent lunch meat.
• Keep the oven door closed during baking – I know it’s tempting to peek, but you’re just letting heat escape and messing with the cooking time.
• Make the sauce while the chicken bakes – Perfect timing means everything stays warm and the sauce doesn’t get clumpy from sitting around.

Nutritional Facts

Based on the recipe serving 4-6 people, here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 380-420 per drumstick (depending on size)
• Protein: 28-32g – excellent source for muscle maintenance and growth
• Carbohydrates: 18-22g – primarily from brown sugar and honey
• Fat: 8-12g – mostly from the chicken, relatively lean cut
• Sodium: 450-550mg – moderate level, mainly from soy sauce
• Sugar: 16-20g – natural sugars from honey plus added brown sugar
• Cholesterol: 95-110mg – typical for poultry
• Iron: 1.2-1.5mg – good source, especially from dark meat
• Potassium: 280-320mg – supports heart and muscle function
• Vitamin B6: 0.4-0.6mg – important for brain development and function
• Niacin: 6-8mg – helps convert food into energy
• Phosphorus: 180-220mg – essential for bone and teeth health

Fun “Did You Know?”

Beyond the impressive nutritional profile, this honey garlic drumsticks recipe connects you to some fascinating culinary history.

I’ve uncovered that honey’s been used as a meat glaze for over 4,000 years, dating back to ancient Egypt. The combination of honey and garlic actually originated in Chinese cuisine during the Tang Dynasty.

Here’s something cool: drumsticks contain more iron than chicken breasts, making them particularly nutritious.

The sticky glaze you’re creating mimics traditional lacquering techniques used in Asian cooking. When you bake these drumsticks, you’re continuing a culinary tradition that spans continents and centuries.