Honey Butter Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/12/21
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

These roasted drumsticks are a super quick and easy five-ingredient recipe. You can either roast or grill the chicken legs while you baste them with the sweet and savory sauce of butter, honey, soy sauce, and garlic.

This recipe can be made with bone-in chicken breasts or chicken thighs if you'd like. The chicken breasts won't take as long to cook since white meat cooks more quickly than dark meat. Just use your trusty instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 F.

This recipe can be doubled if you want more. Just make sure to turn the drumsticks carefully, so they don't burn, and watch them, especially when the end of cooking time nears. Serve with steamed rice or roasted potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts or a green salad.

Honey Butter Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

The Spruce / Loren Runion

"The drumsticks came out tender and delicious with great flavor from the honey, soy sauce, butter, and garlic mixture. The prep takes no more than 10 minutes. The sauce mixture makes plenty—enough to use on 10 or 12. It would be great with chicken thighs, or about 6 chicken leg quarters with thighs attached." —Diana Rattray

Honey Butter Chicken Drumsticks Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, about 8

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Honey butter roasted chicken drumsticks ingredients

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place the drumsticks on the foil.

    Chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, honey, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

    Melted butter, honey, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  4. Brush about half of the sauce mixture on the drumsticks.

    Brush the chicken drumsticks with the marinade

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

  5. Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, and then carefully turn the drumsticks over with tongs and brush with the remaining sauce mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer registers 165 F.

    Baked honey butter roasted chicken drumsticks

    The Spruce / Loren Runion

Grilling Variation

  • To grill the drumsticks, prepare and preheat an outdoor gas or electric grill for indirect cooking. Grill the drumsticks for 15 minutes, covered, then turn, cover, and grill for 15 minutes more.
  • Uncover the chicken and brush with the sauce frequently, grilling until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes longer or until the thermometer registers 165 F. Discard any remaining sauce.

Recipe Variations

  • For a little spice, whisk 1/2 teaspoon (or more) of sambal chile sauce or Sriracha into the sauce mixture.
  • For sweeter glaze, add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to the sauce mixture.

How To Store

  • Refrigerate leftover drumsticks in a covered shallow container for three to four days.
  • Freeze cooked leftover drumsticks in sealed freezer bags or airtight containers for up to three months.

How Can You Tell When Drumsticks Are Done?

The best way to test chicken drumsticks is with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part near the bone (but not touching bone). The minimum safe temperature for chicken is 165 F, but drumsticks and thighs remain tender and juicy when cooked to higher temperatures. Look for a temperature of 170 F to 185 F.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
395 Calories
21g Fat
13g Carbs
37g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 395
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 212mg 71%
Sodium 607mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 441mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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