Description
This Baked Honey Glazed Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken drumsticks marinated in a flavorful blend of honey, soy sauce, orange juice, dijon mustard, garlic, and ginger. The chicken is baked to perfection with a glossy, caramelized glaze, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 5 lbs chicken drumsticks
Marinade
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced or finely grated
- 1 Tbsp ginger, peeled and finely grated
Garnish
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Chives (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, orange juice, dijon mustard, grated garlic, and grated ginger until fully combined. Reserve 2/3 cup of this marinade and refrigerate it for later use.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken drumsticks in a large zipper bag or food saver bag. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, remove as much air as possible, and seal the bag. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, turning the bag occasionally to ensure even marinade coverage.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet or large roasting pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the marinated drumsticks skin-side up on the baking sheet, making sure pieces do not touch. Pour enough marinade into the bottom of the pan just to coat it and discard any leftover marinade from the bag. Bake the chicken for 25 minutes, then flip the drumsticks skin-side down and continue baking for another 20 minutes.
- Caramelize the Skin (optional): For a beautifully caramelized skin, remove the chicken from the oven, flip drumsticks skin-side up again, and broil on high for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is browned and crispy. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the chicken is baking, pour the reserved 2/3 cup marinade into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 7 minutes or until the marinade thickens and becomes syrupy.
- Glaze and Garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven. Brush the thickened glaze generously over the drumsticks. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight maximizes flavor but a minimum of 6 hours will also work.
- Using parchment paper on the baking sheet helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Be careful during broiling as the glaze sugars can burn quickly.
- If you prefer, you can substitute chicken thighs or wings for the drumsticks.
- This recipe contains soy sauce, so choose a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if you want to make it gluten-free.
