Easy sweet and sour baked chicken drumsticks!

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Looking for an idea for baked chicken drumsticks? Stop! I have an exceptional recipe for you—delicious, juicy chicken drumsticks in a unique, mega-tasty sweet and sour sauce. The dish looks exceptional, and it’s really easy to prepare. The sauce is made with balsamic vinegar, honey, and dark soy sauce, and I must say, this combination creates a fantastic flavor that you should enjoy.

These baked chicken drumsticks pair perfectly with your favorite type of rice and a tasty salad (perhaps choose one with an Asian flair?). There will be plenty of sauce, so feel free to drizzle it over the rice. I made these drumsticks for my family, and everyone loved them. In fact, they complained that I made too little, so next time I’ll definitely increase the portions 😉.

But first, watch this video with a recipe for baked chicken drumsticks in sweet and sour sauce, and see how easy they are to make:

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS – This recipe (sauce proportions) is for approximately 6 to even 12 drumsticks. With 6 drumsticks, there will, of course, be more sauce left. So, if you want to use more drumsticks, let’s say 10, and still use some sauce to drizzle over rice, consider whether to increase the sauce proportions.

How to choose chicken drumsticks?

Chicken drumsticks, also known as chicken legs, are commonly sold in most stores. Here are a few tips that may help you choose good chicken drumsticks:

Most important! They must be fresh: Check the expiration date on the packaging or ask the seller if the meat is fresh. Always choose those that are fresh and have not exceeded the expiration date.

Smell, color, and texture: Fresh chicken meat should have a neutral, fresh smell. Avoid drumsticks that emit an unpleasant odor, as it may indicate spoilage. Chicken meat should have a light pink color. Avoid drumsticks with a gray-brown hue, as it may indicate excessive storage time or staleness. The meat should be firm and springy, not sticky or rubbery. Avoid drumsticks that are wet, as it may indicate excessive fluid accumulation or prolonged storage.

Quality markings: If possible, choose products from trusted manufacturers or suppliers. Products with quality markings, such as eco-certifications, can provide additional assurance of the meat’s quality.

Uniform size of drumsticks: Choose drumsticks of similar size to facilitate even and uniform baking.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE MARINADE / SAUCE:

Balsamic vinegar, liquid honey, granulated garlic, and dark soy sauce. When it comes to soy sauce, I recommend choosing dark soy sauce because it is slightly less salty and sweeter than regular soy sauce. You can also choose regular soy sauce, but in that case, the marinade will be saltier. If that doesn’t bother you, that’s okay. There is a third option, which is choosing regular soy sauce but with reduced salt content.

Baked chicken drumsticks in sweet and sour sauce.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH:

Basmati or jasmine rice:Serving rice is a classic choice. You can use some of the prepared sauce to drizzle over the rice. The delicate flavor of rice pairs well with the intensity of the Asian sauce.

Stir-fried vegetables: Prepare a colorful stir-fry with vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, or snap peas. Vegetables add freshness and crunch to the dish.

Millet or quinoa:Instead of rice, try serving chicken drumsticks with millet or quinoa for a change.

Rice or egg noodles: Serve chicken drumsticks on cooked noodles, especially rice noodles drizzled with sauce is excellent.

Green onions and sesame seeds: Garnish the dish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Pickles or kimchi: Add a bit of acidity and spiciness by serving chicken drumsticks with pickles or kimchi.

Cherry tomatoes and avocado: Create a salad with colorful cherry tomatoes, slices of avocado, and cilantro.

Crispy iceberg lettuce.

The combinations are almost limitless, so adjust the accompaniments according to your own taste preferences and the Asian cuisine style you enjoy.

Baked chicken drumsticks in sweet and sour sauce.

STEP-BY-STEP

STEP 1.

First, prepare the marinade. In a bowl, pour balsamic vinegar, liquid honey, dark soy sauce, and granulated garlic. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are combined. Transfer approximately 1/4 of the prepared marinade into a separate container and store it in the refrigerator.

STEP 2.

Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken drumsticks, ensuring that as much marinade as possible coats the meat. Place the container with the drumsticks and marinade in the refrigerator for approximately 2 to 4 hours. After taking them out of the fridge, transfer the drumsticks to a large baking dish along with the marinade. Arrange the drumsticks in the dish, making sure they are not overlapping.

STEP 3

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius (425 degrees Fahrenheit), with both the top and bottom heat on. Once the oven is heated, transfer the baking dish with the drumsticks to the oven and bake for the first 25 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by heating the reserved 1/4 of the marinade in a saucepan for about 15 minutes. After this time, the marinade/sauce should thicken.

After 25 minutes, open the oven and carefully, using kitchen gloves and preferably tongs, turn the drumsticks to the other side and pour the heated sauce over them. Put them back in the oven for an additional 15 minutes. After this time, a total of 40 minutes, the drumsticks should be well-baked. Sometimes, if the drumsticks are exceptionally large, they may need to stay in the oven for an extra 5 minutes.

Finally, you can sprinkle sesame seeds over the drumsticks. If serving with rice, you can drizzle the remaining sauce from baking over it. That’s it. Enjoy!

Looking for a different chicken dinner recipe? Definitely try these wings. They are insanely delicious and super easy to make:

Garlic Butter Chicken Wings (Oven-Baked)

Easy sweet and sour baked chicken drumsticks. Printable recipe ♥