Baked Sticky Chicken Legs Recipe

Close-up of two sticky chicken drumsticks on a plate with a side of roasted vegetables.

5 from 4 votes

Baked Sticky Chicken Legs Recipe

This easy recipe for Baked Sticky Chicken Legs will become your favorite chicken recipe! It's a family favorite recipe that comes together fast.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Additional Time2

Total Time2 40

Course: Chicken and Turkey Recipes

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Servings: servings

Calories: 386kcal

Author: Cassie Johnston

Ingredients

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 cloves garlic smashed
1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
Salt and pepper to taste
4 chicken drumsticks
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Instructions

In a large zip-top bag, combine vinegars, honey, garlic, tamari or coconut aminos, marmalade, salt, and pepper. Add in drumsticks, seal bag, and toss to coat. Stash bag in fridge for 2-3 hours (or overnight) to marinate, rotating bag occasionally.
When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425°F. Cover a baking sheet in parchment paper. Remove drumsticks from bag and lay on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Meanwhile, pour remaining marinade into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until marinade is thick.
When drumsticks are finished cooking, preheat broiler. Using a pastry brush, coat drumsticks in reduced marinade. Broil for 3-5 minutes, or until browned and sticked. Flip and repeat with other side.
Before serving, sprinkle drumsticks with sesame seeds and cilantro.

Notes

You may have heard that it is unsafe to reuse a meat marinade, and this can be true. But in this case, you're keeping the meat refrigerated at all times, and then rapidly boiling the marinade afterward, which not only helps thicken the sauce, but also serves the purpose of cooking out any bad bugs that might have made it in, making it safe to use.

Nutrition