Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks (Printable)

Tender honey glazed chicken drumsticks roasted with caramelized carrots for a simple, satisfying meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2.5 lbs)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Honey Garlic Glaze

05 - 1/4 cup honey
06 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - In a bowl, toss chicken drumsticks with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Arrange on one side of the prepared sheet pan.
03 - In another bowl, combine carrots with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and thyme. Spread on the other side of the sheet pan.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
05 - Brush half of the honey garlic glaze evenly over the chicken drumsticks.
06 - Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
07 - Remove the pan from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze over the chicken. Toss the carrots for even roasting.
08 - Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the carrots are golden and tender.
09 - For enhanced caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
10 - Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh thyme if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks together on one sheet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor as the chicken and carrots trade juices.
  • The honey garlic glaze gets sticky and caramelized without requiring you to babysit anything on the stovetop.
  • It's naturally dairy-free but tastes indulgent, and somehow feels fancy enough for company yet casual enough for a random Tuesday.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan or overlap the drumsticks—they need space for air to circulate so the skin gets crispy instead of steamed.
  • If your chicken pieces are larger than expected, add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the final roast and always verify that internal temperature hits 165°F.
03 -
  • Pat your drumsticks dry before seasoning so they brown better—moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.
  • Position the chicken pieces so they're not touching each other, which takes an extra 30 seconds of arranging but makes all the difference in how they brown.
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