Description
Korean Glazed Chicken Drumsticks are tender, juicy chicken drumsticks coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze that blends sweet, savory, and umami Korean flavors with garlic, ginger, and gochujang chili paste. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, delivering a deliciously sticky and slightly spicy dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 fresh skin-on chicken drumsticks
Glaze
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as substitute)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Garnishes
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely while cooking. Lightly season with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors before glazing.
- Make the Korean Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, gochujang, sesame oil, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the Drumsticks: Place the drumsticks in a large bowl or resealable bag and pour over about two-thirds of the glaze. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Cook the Drumsticks: Heat a large skillet or oven to medium-high heat. Sear the drumsticks on all sides until golden brown to lock in juices, then bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes or until fully cooked, basting occasionally with remaining glaze for maximum stickiness.
- Finish with a Glaze: Brush the remaining glaze over the hot chicken right before serving to create a glossy, mouthwatering finish that invites you to dig in.
Notes
- Dry the chicken first to ensure the skin crisps instead of steaming during cooking.
- Don’t skip marinating; even 30 minutes boosts the flavor dramatically.
- Adjust gochujang quantity to control spice levels according to your preference.
- Baste often during cooking to deepen the sticky texture and rich flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe, juicy results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Korean chicken, glazed chicken drumsticks, sticky chicken, gochujang chicken, Korean recipe, easy dinner, spicy chicken, party appetizer
