Hoisin-glazed Chicken Drumsticks

These oven-roasted chicken drumsticks are brushed with a glossy hoisin, honey, soy, ginger, and garlic glaze that caramelizes beautifully under high heat. Serve them with steamed rice and crisp vegetables for an easy chinese-inspired dinner.
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 40 min · Total: 55 min · Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 0.33 cup hoisin sauce
- 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 stalks scallions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 0.5 tsp chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (finely grated)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 0.25 tsp kosher salt
- 8 pieces chicken drumsticks (about 2 1/2 lb total)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the center position, and line a 13-by-18-inch rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Set a wire rack inside the prepared sheet pan and lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray or a thin film of oil so the glaze will not stick as it caramelizes.
- Pat the 8 chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels on a separate cutting board, keep the raw chicken away from ready-to-eat foods, and wash your hands, knife, board, and any surfaces that touched raw poultry with hot soapy water.
- Season the drumsticks all over with 0.25 tsp kosher salt and 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then arrange them on the wire rack with at least 1 inch of space between pieces for even browning.
- Whisk 0.33 cup hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 0.5 tsp Chinese five-spice powder in a small saucepan until smooth.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and simmer the glaze, whisking often, for 3-4 minutes until the garlic smells fragrant and the sauce thickens enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.
- Spoon about one-third of the warm glaze into a clean small bowl for the first brushing, and keep the remaining glaze in the saucepan; do not dip a brush that has touched raw chicken back into the reserved saucepan glaze.
- Brush the drumsticks on all sides with the glaze from the small bowl, then roast the chicken on the center rack of the 425°F (220°C) oven for 20 minutes until the skin begins to brown at the edges.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven with oven mitts, turn each drumstick with tongs, and brush the chicken with another third of the reserved glaze from the saucepan.
- Return the pan to the oven and roast for 12 minutes, until the glaze is bubbling and the thicker ends of the drumsticks are deeper golden brown.
- Brush the drumsticks with the final third of the reserved glaze and roast for 5-8 minutes more, until the glaze is sticky and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each drumstick without touching bone registers at least 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the drumsticks to a clean serving platter with tongs and let them rest for 5 minutes so the juices settle and the carryover heat finishes the meat evenly.
- Sprinkle the rested drumsticks with 2 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, then serve hot while the glaze is glossy and the chicken is tender.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 381
- Protein: 33 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 965 mg
More Recipes
- Almond Bear Claw French Toast
- Almond Puff Pastry Loaf
- American Creamed Spinach
- Anise-scented Yeast Bread
- Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops with Onions
- Apple Cranberry Galette
- Apple Cream Scones
- Apple Crisp with Macadamia Oat Topping
- Apple Waldorf Salad with Walnuts and Grapes
- Arugula, Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Pizza
- Avocado Cups with Crunchy Lime Slaw
- Avocado, Shrimp, and Hearts of Palm Salad