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Honey Glazed Chicken

Succulent and richly flavored, these oven-baked chicken drumsticks are marinated in a savory-sweet glaze of honey, soy, and citrus. Finished with a luscious reduction and optional garnishes, they deliver bold flavor in every bite.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: honey glazed chicken
Prep Time: 6 hours
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 14 drumsticks

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ¾ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger peeled and finely grated
  • 4 large garlic cloves minced or finely grated
  • 5 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup soy sauce*
  • Chives chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, orange juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until the marinade is smooth and homogeneous. Measure out and set aside ⅔ cup of this marinade; cover and refrigerate.
  • Transfer the chicken drumsticks into a large resealable plastic bag or vacuum-seal bag. Pour in the remaining marinade, ensuring the drumsticks are well-coated. Remove excess air and seal tightly. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight, rotating the bag occasionally to redistribute the marinade.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Position the oven rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet or a large roasting pan with parchment paper, trimmed to fit the pan without overhanging the edges.
  • Arrange the marinated drumsticks on the prepared baking pan, placing them skin-side up and spaced apart to allow even cooking. Spoon enough marinade from the bag to coat the bottom of the pan, then discard any residual marinade.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Turn the drumsticks over to skin-side down and continue baking for another 20 minutes. For a caramelized finish, flip the drumsticks skin-side up once more and broil on high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the skins are deeply browned.
  • Meanwhile, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer for approximately 7 minutes, or until the sauce becomes thickened and syrup-like. Remove from heat.
  • Brush the baked chicken with the reduced glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped chives, if desired.
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Notes

  • If using reduced-sodium soy sauce, add 1½ teaspoons of salt to the marinade. For a gluten-free version, substitute with gluten-free soy sauce such as Tamari.
  • Ensure the parchment lines only the base and sides of the pan—do not allow it to extend beyond the edges to prevent burning. Lining the pan is highly recommended, as the glaze tends to caramelize during baking.