Sweet and Sour Drumsticks

Get ready to elevate your chicken dinner game with these irresistible Sweet and Sour Drumsticks! This flavor-packed recipe combines tender, oven-baked drumsticks with a glossy homemade glaze that balances tangy vinegar, sweet honey, and savory soy sauce to perfection. Infused with fresh garlic and ginger, and thickened to a syrupy consistency with a simple cornstarch slurry, the sauce caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a sticky, finger-licking coating. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, these drumsticks offer a restaurant-quality dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Serve them alongside steamed rice or a crisp salad for a complete meal that’s sure to please the whole family. Ready in under an hour, these Sweet and Sour Drumsticks deliver bold flavor in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces chicken drumsticks
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 stalks green onions

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Step 2

In a large bowl, season the chicken drumsticks with salt and black pepper. Set aside.

Step 3

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, white vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.

Step 4

Peel and mince the garlic and grate the ginger, then add them to the saucepan. Cook the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Gradually stir the slurry into the sauce, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency.

Step 6

Remove the sweet and sour sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 7

Brush half of the sauce generously over the chicken drumsticks, making sure they are evenly coated.

Step 8

Place the drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 9

After 20 minutes, remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush them with the remaining sauce. Return them to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the glaze is caramelized.

Step 10

While the chicken is baking, slice the green onions thinly and toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan over low heat until golden.

Step 11

Once the drumsticks are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish the drumsticks with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve warm with your favorite sides like steamed rice or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1062.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1789.3

Total Fat 83.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 744mg	0%
Sodium 3672.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.6g	0%
Total Sugars 60.9g
Protein 185.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 168.1mg	0%
Iron 9.5mg	0%
Potassium 2185.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.5%

Protein: 41.0%

Carbs: 17.5%