Honey Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Updated Oct. 11, 2023

Honey Baked Chicken Drumsticks
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Rating
4(844)
Comments
Read comments

The oven does most of the work in this surprisingly hands-off chicken feast. Floral ground ginger lends a deeper, mellower heat than fresh and pairs well with honey, which reduces with the schmaltzy pan juices to create a sticky glaze. The oil in the marinade helps the chicken and vegetables start browning, while the butter finishes the pan sauce. A shower of raw scallions, thrown on right at the end, perfumes and enlivens the savory-sweet drumsticks and burnished vegetables, which taste just right alongside cooked white rice, noodles or bread.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 2tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2teaspoons ground ginger
  • teaspoons onion powder
  • 6tablespoons honey, preferably clover
  • Coarse kosher salt and black pepper
  • 8skin-on chicken drumsticks (about 2½ pounds)
  • 1pound root vegetables (any mix of carrots, parsnips and potatoes), cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 4tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2large scallions, thinly sliced crosswise
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

511 calories; 28 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 45 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 26 grams sugars; 22 grams protein; 1108 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, stir together the olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, ground ginger, onion powder, 4 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. If you have the time, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 24 hours.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees.

  3. Step 3

    Pour the chicken and all of its marinade into a 13-by-9-inch baking pan (preferably metal). Add the root vegetables and toss to coat in the marinade, then spread the chicken and vegetables in a snug but single layer. Roast for 30 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Remove the pan from the oven and turn up the heat to 450 degrees. Turn the chicken and vegetables in the pan juices, then drizzle all over with the remaining 2 tablespoons honey and top with the butter. Continue roasting until the pan sauce is sticky and the chicken and vegetables are browned, 10 to 15 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    To serve, tilt the pan to collect the sauce in one corner, then spoon it over the chicken and vegetables to make them glossy. Scatter over the scallions and serve directly from the pan.

Ratings

4 out of 5
844 user ratings
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Comments

Can this be made with chicken thighs, instead of drumsticks?

Very hard to clean pan, recommend using foil.

What about thighs or whole leg to use instead of just drum stick

The sauce is delicious. BUT 15 minutes into cooking, it had dried up and started to burn. I salvaged by adding water. Did anyone else have this snag? Next time, I will season with salt, pepper, ginger and onion powders; roast; and add sauce last 10 minutes.

Followed the recipe exactly, and used arrots and halved baby potatoes. My oven is about 3 degrees off. This dish was inedible when cooked with the timing as is--another 30 minutes at 425 was necessary. Checking now to see if I missed a parboil step.

i followed the recipe exactly but the meat was still a little gamey. i would try 375° for 30 mins instead of 425°

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