Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken drumsticks coated in a sweet-savory glaze with fresh ginger and sesame, finished with a nutty crunch. Ready in 35 minutes with minimal cleanup. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 pieces) 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 a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and pour marinade over them, coating all sides. Let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserving marinade) and place skin-side down. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, pour reserved marinade into skillet, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken Drumsticks take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Sesame-Ginger 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 (6 pieces) chicken drumsticks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Ginger 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 Sesame-Ginger 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.

What goes well with Sesame-Ginger Glazed Chicken Drumsticks?

Asian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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