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Flavorful Korean BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe Easy Sticky Sweet Glaze

Korean BBQ Chicken Drumsticks - featured image
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This recipe features chicken drumsticks coated in a sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy Korean BBQ glaze that caramelizes beautifully for a juicy, flavorful meal. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds or 900 grams), skin-on
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (preferably low sodium)
  • 3 tablespoons honey (60 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (25 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste), optional
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the oven rack in the middle position.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and gochujang (if using) until smooth and sticky.
  3. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Toss the drumsticks in the marinade until fully coated. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or marinate up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
  4. Arrange the drumsticks skin-side up on a rimmed baking tray or on a wire rack set over the tray, spacing them evenly.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the tray and baste the drumsticks with the glaze pooled on the tray. Turn them over using tongs to coat the other side.
  6. Bake for another 15 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and the skin crisps. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra sticky, bubbly glaze, watching closely to prevent burning.
  8. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to help glaze stick and skin crisp. Marinate at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for best flavor. Baste halfway through baking to build layers of sticky glaze. Optional broil step adds extra caramelization but watch carefully to avoid burning. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Gochujang adds authentic mild heat but can be omitted or replaced with chili flakes. If glaze is too thin, simmer gently on stove to thicken before coating chicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean BBQ chicken, chicken drumsticks, sticky sweet glaze, easy dinner, Korean chicken recipe, gochujang chicken, oven baked chicken

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/flavorful-korean-bbq-chicken-drumsticks-recipe-easy-sticky-sweet-glaze/