Sweet and Saucy Chicken Drumstick Recipe
For everybody out there searching for the perfect saucy chicken drumstick recipe, finally, here it is! Even though they might not be as popular as chicken breasts, drumsticks deserve their special place in the kitchen. This is because they require a longer cooking time and they are messy to eat. But, they cost less and are a lot juicier than chicken breasts.
This saucy chicken drumstick recipe is simple. It is easy and requires just a few ingredients. But, what I like the most about it is how moist chicken drumsticks turn out.
To get the most out of them, I prepared a few tips for you. Here is the best saucy chicken drumstick recipe.
What to Know Before Baking Chicken Drumstick?
If you usually eat chicken breasts, drumsticks are the fattier cut of the meat than you are used to. For that reason, they are more tender and juicier. This also means that they require different preparation methods, meaning a longer cooking time.
Chicken breasts are more popular among fitness enthusiasts since they contain 31 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chicken drumsticks have 28.3 grams of protein. [1]
If you are planning a big, fancy dinner, you should know that eating drumsticks can be messy, especially if they are made in a saucy way. Eating drumsticks using hands became a normal habit since they are not that easily eaten with cutlery. So, as many would say, the right way to eat chicken drumstick is to hold it in your hand, bite in, and pull the meat using your teeth.
To keep drumsticks moist from the inside, and a little bit crispy on the outside, it is best to bake them covered first. After that, bake them uncovered at 425 °F to get that crispiness everybody desires. This is exactly what we are doing while preparing this recipe.
How to Make Saucy Chicken Drumsticks?
Jump to RecipeTo make saucy chicken drumsticks, you need to bake the drumsticks covered first, and then remove the cover and let the sauce caramelize. This is a crucial point.
But, to get there, let’s begin with the ingredients. Of course, you will need the drumsticks and some spices. Salt, pepper and Cayenne pepper are my favorites for this purpose. If you can, season the meat the day before to make it even more flavorful.
When it comes to meat cuts, you can experiment and mix different cuts. For example, I used 1 pound of chicken legs, and one pound of tights. Anything can work.
For the sauce, you will need honey, low-salt soy sauce, ketchup, dry parsley, dry oregano and granulated garlic.
When you mix all the ingredients, simply pour them over your meat and cover them with aluminum foil. Let them bake at 425 °F for 45 minutes. After that, remove the cover and let put them back in the oven for another 15 to 25 minutes.
If you want crispy skin, leave them longer.
To make sure that moisture will stay inside, don’t bite in right away. Rather, wait for at least 10 minutes before serving.
The sauce will nicely caramelize and it will go perfectly with any side dish you choose.
What to Serve with Saucy Chicken Drumsticks?
Since we got a saucy meal here, it will perfectly go with rice or pasta. But, there are also some other great ideas you can try.
Cauliflower Rice
Opt for cauliflower rice if you are looking for a low-calorie rice alternative.
To make cauliflower rice, use a grater with the medium-size holes. Alternatively, use a blender and slowly blend it while being careful to not overblend it.
When you get a rice-looking texture, place the cauliflower on the dish towel and squeeze out the excess water. After that, saute the cauliflower rice with a tablespoon of oil for about 10 minutes.
Couscous
If you ever got in touch with Maroccan cuisine, there are the high chances you tried couscous. It is the smallest type of pasta, so, obviously, it goes perfectly with your saucy chicken drumsticks! What is more, couscous easily absorb the flavors.
What makes couscous even better than pasta is its shorter cooking time and its health benefits. For example, selenium in its content is a powerful antioxidant that helps our body cells repair. In addition, it boosts the immune system and is a good source of protein. [2]
Macaroni & Cheese
Compared to couscous, macaroni and cheese is a really caloric meal. But, if you like more “heavy” meals full of cheese, go for it!
Boiled Potatoes
Boiled potatoes are one of the simplest side dishes there are, and yet so delicious!
You can simply cover them with your sauce or serve them with fresh parsley next to chicken drumsticks covered with sauce. Potatoes won’t absorb the flavors like couscous or rice, but their mild taste won’t spoil any flavor that your sauce is giving you.
Gnocchi
Gnocchi are a very famous side dish in Mediterranean countries. They are served with any type of sauce, including the sauces for ravioli.
They are primarily made of mashed potatoes, but also include wheat flour and eggs. Some recipes call for cheese or breadcrumbs, but they are completely optional.
Their mild taste fits nicely with your sweet sauce and will make the sauce lighter.
How Long Do Baked Chicken Drumsticks Last?
Baked saucy chicken drumsticks will stay fresh for about four days in the fridge. But, it is crucial that they are not left out at room temperature, especially during summer days.
So, place the meal in the fridge when it completely cools or put it in an airtight container and freeze it.
Saucy Chicken Drumstick Recipe
To sum everything up, here is the recipe.
Saucy Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
Meat
- 2,5 pounds Chicken Drumsticks You can mix drumsticks and tights like I did.
- Salt, Pepper, Cayenne Pepper
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Low-salt Quality Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1 tsp Dry Parsley
- 1 tsp Dry Oregano
- 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F (200 °C).
- Season your meat well with salt, pepper and Cayenne pepper. Place the meat in the pot.
- In one bowl mix all ingredients for the sauce. Make sure you mix them evenly.
- Pour the sauce over the meat and rotate the meat so every piece is covered in marinade.
- Cover the pot with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the cover, and put the meat back in the oven for another 15 minutes. The sauce will nicely caramelize. If you want a more crispy skin, leave the meat inside for another 10 minutes.
- Wait for about 10 minutes before serving to ensure that moisture stays inside the meat. Serve the saucy chicken drumsticks with rice, pasta, boiled potatoes or some other side dish.
