My Chicken Drumsticks Marinade is so simple and guarantees the most deliciously sticky chicken drumsticks with tender juicy chicken meat inside. I combine honey, soy and garlic in this easy recipe that your whole family will love.
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Making these soy honey chicken drumsticks could not be easier. The easy marinade uses simple ingredients most of you will will already have in your kitchens at home.
The marinade itself takes just minutes to mix together. Then coat the drumsticks and pop into the fridge for at least 20 minutes, but ideally overnight for the best flavor and most tender pieces of chicken.
I've chosen to cook my sticky honey soy chicken drumsticks in the oven, but you can bbq chicken drumsticks on a hot outdoor grill too. Just ensure you don't walk away - the best way to grill them is turn the drumsticks regularly to stop them sticking.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Soy Honey Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Drumstick Marinade Ingredients
- How to Make Easy Chicken Drumsticks Recipe - Step-By-Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Variations & Substitutions for Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
- Pro Tips & Tricks For Making this Chicken Drumstick Recipe
- Pin This Easy Marinated Chicken Drumsticks (or Wings or Thighs) Recipe For Later
- What Do You Think?!
- More Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
- Printable Recipe
- Easy Chicken Drumsticks Marinade (or Wings or Thighs)
- Reader Comments & Ratings
Why You'll Love These Soy Honey Chicken Drumsticks
- Marinating chicken not only adds flavor, but tenderizes the meat too, making it moist and juicy.
- Prep time is minimal. Just 5 minutes to mix up the marinade and coat the chicken.
- This recipe is easily multiplied if you are feeding a crowd.
- Leftover chicken makes a tasty lunch the next day. Try it in salads, tacos or sandwiches.
- I love quick and easy chicken recipes and enjoy them at least once a week. Try these great tasting recipes:
Chicken Drumstick Marinade Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Chicken - I've used chicken drumsticks, but you could use this marinade with any other joint of chicken. It would work a treat with chicken wings, thighs, legs or breast, just adjust the cooking times depending on the cut you are cooking.
BBQ sauce - you can use any variety of BBQ sauce, whichever is your favorite. I try to stick to the ones which are slightly lower in sugar.
Honey - use any variety of honey, although I think runny honey works best in a marinade as it sticks to the chicken drumstick.
Soy Sauce - I use low sodium light soy sauce, but you can use any variety of soy sauce. Tamari is great for gluten free diners, and coconut aminos is a great substitute for both gluten free and soy free diets.
How to Make Easy Chicken Drumsticks Recipe - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe card below.
Make the marinade by mixing together avocado oil (or olive oil), BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce and minced garlic in a small bowl.
Season the chicken well with sea salt then place drumsticks in a line baking pan in a single layer.
Pour over the marinade and toss to make sure the chicken is coated. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
When ready to cook, take the chicken out the fridge and preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC. Line the pan with parchment or aluminum foil for easier clean up.
Cook the chicken for 45 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the drumsticks until cooked through and golden brown with crispy skin. Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
Serve with a garnish of chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I marinate chicken?
The minimum I would marinate chicken is 20 minutes. But for really intense flavor I recommend a longer marinate, closer to 24 hours. Marinate the chicken the night before then cover and leave in the fridge overnight, until you are ready to cook the chicken the following day.
However, don't go over the 24 hours. After that you risk the marinade breaking down the fibers in the meat which will affect the texture and the chicken will become soft and mushy.
Can I freeze chicken in the marinade?
Yes, you can freeze raw chicken that is coated in marinade. Coat the chicken drumsticks in the marinade, ensuring it completely coats each joint. Then place into a resealable plastic bag and remove as much air as possible from the bag. Place into the freezer and store for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge when you are ready to cook.
Can this chicken marinade be used for other meats?
This versatile marinade would work a treat with turkey, beef or pork. Also with seafood - try brushing it over some salmon fillets or shrimp.
Don't limit yourself to just meat either, this marinade would work with a whole host of vegetables, try it with a veggie kebab, or brushed over some oven roasted squash.
How do I tell when marinated chicken is cooked?
You know that the chicken is cooked when the juices run clear and/or the internal temperature reads 165ºF/74ºC when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick.
The cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the drumsticks.
Variations & Substitutions for Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
This is a simple marinade and other flavors can be added in:
- Swap the drumsticks for chicken wings, thighs, legs or chicken breast - I recommend skin on, bone-in cuts for the best flavor.
- Honey can be substituted for maple syrup.
- Swap the parsley for cilantro.
- Add some freshly chopped red chilies, or red pepper flakes, if you like your drumstick marinade spicy. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper also works.
- Citrus flavors work a treat with chicken, honey and soy sauce, so stir some lemon zest or juice into the marinade.
- You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar to further tenderize the meat.
- Add some peeled garlic cloves
- You can also scatter some sesame seeds on the cooked chicken for a different texture.
Pro Tips & Tricks For Making this Chicken Drumstick Recipe
The marinade helps to tenderize the chicken so the longer the drumsticks sit in the marinade the more tender the chicken. Overnight is ideal, not only will the drumsticks be tender, the flavor will be more intense.
Always line the oven proof dish with some aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleaning up a whole lot easier since the sauce gets very sticky.
It is quite hard to over cook chicken drumsticks - they become more tender as they cook so don't take them out of the oven too soon.
As with all meat, let the chicken drumsticks rest before eating. This allows the meat fibers to relax and seal in the juices.
How To Serve Sticky Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
Some of my favorite sides for this easy chicken recipes are rice or noodles, my Coconut Rice with Lime would be ideal. Or try some zucchini/courgette noodles if you're keeping things lower carb.
For other great tasting sides to serve alongside try my Easy Corn Ribs, Miso Aubergine (Eggplant), or my Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili.
How To Reheat Sticky Chicken Drumsticks?
These Sticky Chicken Drumsticks are best eaten fresh from the oven, when the chicken is soft and the marinade is sticky and sweet.
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge and either eaten cold or heated up in a warm oven the next day. Just take care to heat through until hot but no longer, otherwise the chicken can overcook and become dry.
Pin This Easy Marinated Chicken Drumsticks (or Wings or Thighs) Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
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More Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Easy Chicken Drumsticks Marinade (or Wings or Thighs)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil - or canola/vegetable oil
- ½ cup Barbecue Sauce
- ½ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce - low-sodium
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 12 Chicken Drumsticks
- ¼ cup Chopped Parsley - flat-leaf, optional
- Sea Salt
Instructions
- Mix together the avocado oil, bbq sauce, honey, soy sauce and minced garlic in a small bowl.
- Season the chicken drumsticks well with sea salt.
- Line a baking sheet or pan with parchment or foil for easier clean up.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to the pan in a single layer and pour over the marinade.
- Toss to make sure the chicken is coated then cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC. Take the chicken out the fridge and allow to bring to room temp while the oven heats.
- Cook the chicken for 45 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the drumsticks. until cooked through and golden brown with crispy skin. Turn the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- NOTE - To test the chicken for doneness make sure the juices run clear - or use an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165ºF/74º.
- Serve with a garnish of chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Sue says
So flavorful and delicious! I eyeballed the recipe and totally had all of the ingredients at home already (major score!). My kids and my husband gobbled it up and we can’t wait to have it again! Served it with TJs veggie fried rice and grilled veggies from the grill. So delicious! Thank you and can’t wait to make it again! I also forgot to turn the drumsticks when they were baking because- did I mention I have 2 kids? Well they were delicious and fell off the bone! Thank you again!
Jo Keohane says
Hi Sue - so happy to hear this and thanks for your lovely comment!! My kids love this one and it's so simple. They key is baking them for long enough to get really tender I think. Enjoy!!