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    Home » Recipes » Lunch/Dinner » Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks

    Published: May 27, 2022 · Modified: Oct 29, 2024 by Maureen Celestine with 9 Comments

    Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks

    These honey soy chicken drumsticks are to-die. Pretty to look at and addictive to eat. We’ve had this on rotation on a monthly basis since the first lockdown.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    chicken drumsticks on a platter

    The Easy sticky chicken recipe is perfect for busy nights. You need to season the drumsticks, pop them in the air fryer, and let the bad boy do the work. In 30 minutes or less, you’ll have a perfectly cooked air fryer chicken drumstick ready to be smothered in a sticky Asian sauce. 

    Are you hungry yet?

    This recipe will pair well with my quinoa salad or any rice dish.

    Why you should make this recipe:

    It’s as easy as dump, bake, glaze

    It’s budget-friendly

    Perfect for the whole family

    Stores pretty well

    Great for leftovers 

    Pairs with many dishes 

    Hands down flavorful 

    It’s versatile and easy to flavor to your liking

    Ingredient list

    ingredients for chicken drumsticks with honey

    Some of the ingredients you’ll be needing for this Sticky sesame chicken recipe are ;

    Chicken drumsticks: preferably bone-in and skin-on. I used about 2 lbs for this recipe. Feel free to use less or make as much and freeze them for later. 

    Seasoning: kosher salt, ground black pepper, and chicken bouillion were my seasoning of choice. See below for other seasoning combos to try.  

    Butter: this is used for the sticky chicken sauce. Aside from flavor, the butter gives the chicken that glistening making it irresistible. 

    Garlic: I prefer fresh, but if ground garlic is all you have on hand, that’s fine too. Skin the part where you saute the garlic and combine it in the soy mix instead. 

    Ginger: the spicy aroma and peppery flavor of fresh ginger mingle beautifully with the rest of the ingredients. I used a combination of both fresh and ground. Either is fine.

    Honey: for sweetness and flavor. Use brown sugar if you don’t have one on hand. 

    Balsamic vinegar: the complex sweet and sour taste of balsamic vinegar not only adds flavor to this recipe but also helps cut down the saltiness of the soy sauce. 

    Soy sauce: the umami flavor of the soy sauce blends perfectly with the honey. 

    Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the sauce. Make sure to mix in liquid before adding it to the pan. 

    How to cook chicken drumsticks in the Air fryer

    Pat the chicken drumstick with a paper towel. 

    drumsticks in a bowl
    Sprinkle with olive oil
    chicken drumsticks with seasoning
    Adding seasoning

    Place drumsticks in a bowl or a plastic bag and drizzle with olive oil.

    Sprinkle kosher salt, ground black pepper, and chicken powder over drumsticks. Give the bag or bowl a few tosses to coat the drumsticks.

    baking chicken legs in an air fryer
    Air fry the drumsticks
    air fryer chicken with soy glaze
    Smother the chicken quarters in the balsamic glaze

    Place drumsticks in a heated air fryer basket and bake. Flip the drumsticks and bake some more.

    Toss the baked drumsticks in the sticky sauce and serve.

    How to make the sticky chicken marinade/Sauce

    For the sticky sauce;

    •  First, melt the butter over medium heat.
    •  Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant
    honey soy glaze for the chicken
    • Combine the soy sauce, honey, ginger, balsamic vinegar, cornstarch, and water in a bowl and gently whisk it into the saucepan.
    •  Cook for about a minute or so. Toss with the juicy air fryer drumstick to coat. 

    VARIATIONS

    Here are some seasoning ideas for sticky Chicken Drumsticks. Not to be combined with this recipe.

    1. Lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt and pepper
    2. Smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, S&P
    3. Smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    4. Cajun seasoning
    5. Lemon pepper seasoning
    6. Honey mustard seasoning
    7. Red pepper flakes,  sugar, vinegar, S&P

    How long do Baked Chicken legs keep?

    Preferably serve these air fryer drumsticks immediately. If you happen to have leftovers, place them in a storage container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.

    close up of air fryer drumsticks

    EQUIPMENT

    For this sticky chicken dish, you’ll need;

    An air fryer

    A large skillet or cast iron pan

    Ziplock bag or large bowl

    Kitchen tong or wooden spoon

    What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Drumstick?

    Here are some pretty good pairings for this air fryer drumstick recipe;

    • Cauliflower mac and cheese
    • Creamed corn casserole
    • Quinoa bowl 
    • Grilled vegetables
    • Rice bowl
    chicken drumsticks servings
    how long to cook frozen drumsticks in an air fryer?

    Cook at 400°F for 20 - 25 minutes in a single layer, an inch apart. Please note that the cooking time depends on the weight and size of the drumsticks. If your drumsticks are larger in size, check the internal temperature to make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked before digesting.

    air fryer drumsticks temperature

    Bake anywhere from 360°F to 400°F. The internal temperature of the chicken should register at 165°F and above, depending on your preference.

    Is chicken drumstick healthy?

    Yes. Chicken is nutrient-rich meat and it’s a high source of protein. Bake chicken in the oven or air fryer for a healthier option instead of deep-frying it. The chicken drumstick is as healthy as what you add to it.

    These honey soy chicken drumsticks are a crowd-pleaser, and I hope it gets all the cheers at your next gathering. Share a bite with us on our social media. If you make this recipe using the hashtag worldlytreat(#worldlytreat), we’d love to join the soirée. Also, don’t forget to pin it for later. Chat soon?

    Maureen

    PEACE & LOVE

    Maureen

    This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase after clicking on a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your continuous support.

    TOOLS USED IN THIS RECIPE

    📖 Recipe

    Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks

    Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks

    Maureen Celestine
    These honey soy chicken drumsticks are addictive to eat. Cooked in soy and balsamic glaze. They are a perfect treat for outdoor parties.
    5 from 34 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Asian
    Servings 7 ( per 2/ person)
    Calories 257.94 kcal

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 14 medium chicken drumsticks (about 2 lbs )
    • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
    • ½ teaspoon chicken powder
    • Cooking spray

     For the sauce

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • 5 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tablespoons ground ginger (fresh is fine)
    • 3½ tablespoons honey
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • Sesame seed, scallions, and herbs to garnish

    Instructions
     

    FOR THE CHICKEN

    • Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel.
      Place drumsticks in a bowl or a plastic bag and drizzle with olive oil. Toss or massage the bag to incorporate the oil over the chicken.
    • Sprinkle kosher salt, ground black pepper, and chicken powder over drumsticks. Give the bag/bowl a few tosses to coat the drumsticks.
    • Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 8 minutes with the basket intact.
    • Place drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes. Flip the drumsticks using a kitchen tong and cook for 8-9 minutes more. 
    • Insert a meat thermometer on the thick part of the drumstick close to the bone to make sure the chicken is cooked through. The thermometer should read 165° up. If it reads less, cook for 5-6 minutes more. The chicken is cooked when the juice runs clear.
    • (broil for 5 minutes if you want a crispier chicken)

    FOR THE STICKY SAUCE

    • In a large skillet pan, combine the ginger, honey, balsamic vinegar, soy, water, and cornstarch. Set aside.
    • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant. Whisk in the soy mixture into the skillet pan and cook for about a minute or until the sauce is slightly thickened.
    •  Using a wooden spoon or kitchen tong, coat the mix all over the chicken, covering every piece. Let sit on the stove for 1-2 minutes, and remove from heat. Garnish with scallions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    NOTES:

    If you want more sauce to eat with rice, noodles, or other grains, add a cup of water or more to the soy mix, and adjust the taste. 
    I forgot to thaw the drumsticks, what do I do now?
     
    Dump the drumsticks in the heated air fryer, and cook at 400°F for 15 minutes, flip them, season and continue to bake for another 10-12 minutes depending on the size of the chicken.
     
     Please note that the cooking time depends on the weight and size of the drumsticks. Internal temperature should register 165°F for doneness. Continue cooking if the cooking time has elapsed and the chicken hasn’t reached the recommended doneness. All air fryers are not made the same, be patient.
    Keyword 30 minutes or less recipe, air fryer chicken drumstick, honey soy chicken drumsticks, Sticky sesame chicken

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    • Chicken alfredo with blackened seasoning in a pan on a flat surface.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roses says

      June 05, 2023 at 2:27 pm

      This has a very crispy skin and has a very juicy inside. I loved it

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        July 13, 2023 at 3:23 pm

        I am glad you like it! Thanks

        Reply
    2. Bella says

      November 13, 2023 at 9:53 am

      Is chicken powder the same as chicken bouillon?

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        November 14, 2023 at 9:39 am

        Hi Bella,

        Thanks for stopping by. Chicken powder and chicken bouillon are similar flavor enhancers. But the chicken powder is typically a finely ground form with dehydrated chicken and seasonings, while chicken bouillon is often found in cube or granule form.

        Reply
    3. Anne Kay says

      September 20, 2024 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this for dinner, a really lovely meal for not too much work. Will be making it again.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        September 25, 2024 at 4:52 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Anne. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. We love an easy weeknight meal!

        Reply
    4. LB says

      March 27, 2025 at 10:09 pm

      5 stars
      Hello,

      Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I've just made it for dinner and it's very delicious. I love that it's easy to make and uses common ingredients I already have on hand.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        April 03, 2025 at 1:07 pm

        Thanks for the feedback, LB. Easy recipes are my jam! I am glad it worked out for you.

        Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        April 24, 2025 at 4:18 pm

        I am so happy to hear that!

        Reply

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    Maureen celestine

    Thanks for stopping by. It means the world to me. On Worldly Treat, you'll discover family-friendly dishes, one-pot recipes, signature cocktails, classic African dishes, holiday favorites, and lots more! Easy recipes for the everyday home cook. You can taste the world right in your kitchen without taking a trip. Please follow along. Let's get cooking!

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