Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels.
- Place them in a bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Toss well so all drumsticks are evenly coated.
Step 3: Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a bowl mix together:
- Honey
- Minced garlic
- Soy sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Chili flakes (optional)
Stir until well combined.
Step 4: Arrange the Drumsticks
Place the seasoned drumsticks on the baking tray in a single layer.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Bake for 25 minutes.
Step 6: Add the Sauce
- Remove the tray from the oven.
- Brush or pour the honey garlic sauce over the drumsticks.
- Turn the chicken to coat evenly.
Step 7: Finish Baking
Return to the oven and bake another 15–20 minutes until:
- Chicken is fully cooked
- The sauce becomes sticky and caramelized
Serve 🍽️
Serve the drumsticks hot with:
- Steamed rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- A crisp green salad
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and presentation.
✅ Cooking Tip:
For extra caramelization, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end of cooking.
If you’d like, I can also show you 3 extremely popular chicken drumstick recipes used by restaurants (including sticky BBQ drumsticks and crispy garlic butter drumsticks). 🍗🔥