Baked Sesame Chicken Drumsticks:
Oven baked chicken drumsticks in a flavorful, sweet and spicy sesame sauce. These crispy baked chicken legs are easy to make and full of bold flavors.
Drumsticks are an affordable, easy to make protein that offers so much versatility for flavors and fun. This recipe is a go to for busy nights as it offers bold, amazing flavor without a lot of work. The sesame combines with the brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha for a fun Asian flavor profile with easy to find ingredients.
Serve with Easy Rice Pilaf and Best Ever Roasted Broccoli for the perfect meal.
Personally I think chicken drumsticks are one of the most under-rated protein sources. They are easy to make, hard to overcook, simple but offer tons of flavor options, and are fun to eat. I love a good baked chicken drumstick with a nice crispy skin and great tasting sauce.
How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven?
There is not one good answer for this question as drumsticks come in many different sizes. But typically it takes 25 minutes to an hour to bake through. The goal is to bake them until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches the safety zone of 165 degrees F.
I am a big fan of cooking chicken with a meat thermometer so you don’t overcook it, and so you get the perfect doneness every time. If you do not have one, then you will want to bake them in a preheated oven until they are no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear when you cut into them.
An instant-read thermometer really is the way to go, so when it is inserted near the bone, it should read 165 degrees F.
How many calories are in chicken drumsticks?
Honestly, the biggest factor in the number of calories is the sauce and how you cook it. A medium sized drumstick with skin is less than 100 calories. On average it would be about 97 calories. 12 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fat. But when you add things like sugary BBQ sauces, etc. the number of calories/carbs/fats etc. rise.
Is a drumstick a leg?
Yes! Drumsticks are the chicken’s leg bone with the surrounding meat. And they are delicious.
Are you ready for a taste bud explosion? There is just something I love about a good drumstick. It is fun to pick up your food. Drumsticks are low cost. Kids love them. And they come together quiclyk. Of course this makes them a huge win for Eazy Peazy Mealz.
Today’s drumstick recipe rates amongst my favorite because it has some of my favorite ingredients: Sriracha, honey, soy sauce, garlic. I use this combo a lot, and I recommend these ingredients a lot, such as in this amazing Shrimp and Sugar Snap Pea stir fry.
Substitutions and Tips for Baked Chicken Drumsticks:
If you don’t have sriracha, use any hot sauce.
Braggs amino acids can be used in place of soy, and is Paleo approved.
There is brown sugar, but feel free to use extra honey instead.
This recipe is easy to change, and versatile. Use it on chicken, pork, shrimp, etc.
If you like your chicken to be a little crispier, broil for about 5 minutes after baking. Keep a close eye on it so you don’t burn it, and flip it once so you get both sides crispy. I think this is the real key to baked chicken with skin. No one wants to eat something rubbery and gross, broiling crisps it up. Or, do as I do, and discard the skin before eating! Either way it is going to be delicious.
Baked Sesame Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Honey
- 1/4 c Brown sugar Or sub 1/3 cup more honey
- 1 Tbs Sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 2 Tbs Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbs Soy Sauce or Braggs Liquid Amino Acids
- 2 1/2 Tbs minced garlic
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 3 lbs chicken Drumsticks about 10 legs
- 1 tsp salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, sriracha, sesame seeds, soy sauce, minced garlic, and ginger.
- Pat drumsticks dry and set aside, and season with a little salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to a large zip-top bag and pour the honey sesame marinade over the chicken. Massage the bag after closing to ensure all of the chicken is coated.
- Refrigerate the chicken drumsticks in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. For optimal results and best flavor allow the chicken to marinate for 2-12 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat, and spray with cooking spray.
- Arrange the chicken in an even layer on prepared baking sheet
- Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes
- Flip chicken over and bake an additional 10 minutes or so until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Video
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder) says
G’day! Love the ease and simplicity!
Thanks for sharing at this week’s Foodie Friends Friday Foods We Loved from Childhood Party
Cheers! Joanne
Miz Helen says
Your Baked Sesame Drumsticks look delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your special recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Kristen Berry says
you don’t mention sriracha in your list of ingredients. How much did you use? I would love to make this. Thank you!
Rachael says
I apologize. It is only about a tsp, but you can adjust it according to your personal heat preference. I use more but we love sweet heat!
Becky Hardin says
Such a great dinner idea. Just yum!
lauren kelly says
My family goes crazy for these drumsticks! Love this recipe!
Toni says
I love how easy this is to make! Such an amazing meal!
Anna says
Love how easy these drumsticks are to make! Delicious!
Jen says
Perfect timing! All I have left in my freezer are drunsticks and I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Love it!