Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy, caramelized drumsticks coated in a sticky-sweet honey-soy glaze that's perfect for weeknight dinners and crowd-pleasing potlucks. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 33 minutes pairs chicken drumsticks, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.7 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels, then toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated for crispiness.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add drumsticks skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the skillet, stirring to coat.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the drumsticks like a glaze.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds and 2 tbsp sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken drumsticks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes