Caramelized Chicken Drumsticks
Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these irresistible Caramelized Chicken Drumsticks! Perfectly seared and simmered in a luscious blend of soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar, these drumsticks are infused with a harmonious mix of garlic, ginger, and sesame oil for a bold, umami-packed flavor. The secret lies in allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize during the final minutes of cooking, creating a glossy, sticky coating that clings to each juicy piece of chicken. Garnished with fresh green onions and nutty sesame seeds, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just under an hour, these drumsticks pair beautifully with steamed rice, crisp veggies, or a light salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this crowd-pleaser is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 pieces chicken drumsticks
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.25 cup water
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper on all sides.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and water. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken drumsticks to the pan and sear them for 3-4 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the drumsticks from the pan and set them aside.
Pour the prepared sauce into the same pan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to combine all the flavors.
Return the chicken drumsticks to the pan, arranging them so they are coated with the sauce.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken cook for 25-30 minutes, turning the drumsticks every 7-8 minutes to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the sauce.
Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Allow the sauce to thicken and caramelize, making sure to spoon the sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor.
Once the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C), remove the pan from heat.
Garnish the drumsticks with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Serve hot with rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
548 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.0 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.9 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 168 mg | 56% | |
| Sodium | 965 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.1 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.9 g | ||
| Protein | 46.7 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 70 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 587 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
