Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks in Soy Sauce
Tastier than you’ve ever tried - absolutely amazing! These oven-baked chicken drumsticks in soy sauce turn out juicy with a crispy, appetizing crust. The key is a special marinade, and baking is quick and easy. This dish can beat many restaurant versions.
Updated : 10 February, 2026
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
1 kilograms
Chicken legs
100 milliliters
Soy sauce
80 grams
Brown sugar
50 grams
Honey
50 milliliters
Balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon
Garlic
0.5 teaspoon
Paprika
1 teaspoon
Dry spices
to taste
Ground black pepper
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How do you bake chicken drumsticks in soy sauce in the oven? Prepare all the ingredients. Use classic soy sauce, not teriyaki, because teriyaki already contains sugar. Here, sugar and honey are essential - they caramelize during baking and create a crispy crust.
Step 2
Rinse the chicken drumsticks well and pat dry. Check for any remaining feathers and remove them if needed.
Step 3
How do you make a honey–soy marinade for chicken? In a bowl, mix soy sauce, runny honey, balsamic vinegar, cane sugar, and spices. Stir well. If the honey has crystallized, melt it first on the stove or in the microwave. You can replace dried garlic with 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, but keep in mind garlic pieces can burn in the oven. That’s why, for baking until browned, I usually use dried garlic instead of fresh.
Step 4
Add the chicken drumsticks to the marinade and mix thoroughly so all pieces are coated. Marinate for 1 hour at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Transfer the drumsticks to a baking dish. If you want the simplest method, pour all (or part) of the marinade into the dish and bake in a preheated 200°C / 392°F oven for about 35-40 minutes, occasionally brushing the drumsticks with the sauce from the bottom of the dish. Alternatively: brush the drumsticks with marinade and bake for 35-40 minutes at 190-200°C / 374-392°F. Ovens vary, so adjust time and temperature to your oven’s performance.
Step 6
Pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until it reduces into a thick sauce.
Step 7
The sauce should leave traces on a spoon and on the sides of the saucepan. It will reduce by about 2-3 times. This takes roughly 15-20 minutes, which is about the time the chicken is in the oven.
Step 8
After 25-30 minutes of baking, brush the drumsticks with the thick soy sauce and return them to the oven. Bake about 10 minutes (or longer) until a browned, crispy crust forms. You can use the “top+bottom+convection” setting if you have it.
Step 9
Serve the finished chicken drumsticks baked in soy sauce with honey and garlic right away. If you like, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Enjoy!
Author note
Share the recipe
