4-Ingredient Chicken Drumstick Marinade

This quick and easy 4-ingredient chicken drumstick marinade is a delicious solution for a no-fuss weeknight dinner. Its perfectly balanced sweet and tangy flavor gives so much flavor to baked chicken legs and is an easy meal the entire family will love.

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In our house, we are all about simple dinner ideas that require minimal prep time. This 4-ingredient chicken drumstick marinade is the perfect easy meal for busy weeknights!

This baked chicken drumsticks recipe is a family favorite they ask for all year long. This marinade takes just 30 minutes to flavor the chicken but you can also let it sit overnight.

When it's time to cook, you can roast in the oven, throw in the crockpot, pressure cook, air fry, or even cook on the grill!

No matter what cooking method you prefer, this easy marinade for chicken drumsticks is about to become your new favorite. Marinated chicken legs make a delicious meal, the whole family will love. Don't forget your favorite sides such as green beans, quinoa, or roasted potatoes.

Other delicious sauces to serve with chicken I think you will love are this easy nut free pesto and this easy mushroom sauce.

Jump to:

• Chicken Leg Marinade Ingredients
• How to Make Chicken Leg Marinade
• Variations
• Storage
• Expert Tips and FAQS
• More Easy Chicken Recipes
• The Best 4-Ingredient Chicken Drumstick Marinade

Chicken Leg Marinade Ingredients

My favorite part of this recipe is that it uses kitchen staples I always have on hand.

For this chicken leg marinade, you will need:

• Honey: Gives the chicken leg marinade a touch of sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a salty finish and helps tenderize the meat.
• Ketchup: Gives the sauce some texture and depth.
• Garlic: Adds freshness to the salt and a finish that lingers.

Of course, you can't make marinated chicken drumsticks with just the marinade itself. So, add a 3lb package of chicken drumsticks to your grocery list.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

Chicken Drumstick Marinade Substitutions

I think the four ingredients create a perfect marinade for drumsticks chicken. But, if you need to adjust the recipe a bit here are some changes you can make.

• Honey: You can replace the honey with brown sugar or your favorite sweetener alternative.
• Soy Sauce: If you are avoiding soy or need a gluten-free option, coconut aminos is a great solution.
• Ketchup: Tomato paste can be used in place of the ketchup.
• Garlic: Fresh is best for flavor but you can also use powdered garlic in a pinch.

In addition to the marinade substitutions, you can also swap out the chicken drumsticks and use chicken wings, thighs, or breasts instead.

Equipment

To make the chicken leg marinade you will simply need:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Bowl
• Glass baking dish or storage zip lock bags

To prepare the marinated drumsticks in the oven you will need:

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Aluminum foil (for easy clean up)

How to Make Chicken Leg Marinade

This recipe is easy to follow with a few simple steps and instructions.

To make this chicken drumstick marinade, simply whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic and set aside.

In a glass dish, place chicken legs in a single layer. I find that alternating the direction of the leg helps to fit more in the baking dish.

Once you have them arranged in a single layer, pour the prepared marinade over the chicken legs.

I like to lift each leg up a bit and set it back down so the marinade really gets everywhere.

Then, cover with plastic wrap and allow the marinade to flavor the chicken for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can allow the marinade to soak in overnight for optimal flavor.

You can also use large zip-lock storage bags instead of a glass container. One of the benefits of using a bag is that you can occasionally toss the chicken around in the marinade.

When it is time to cook the marinated chicken drumsticks, preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a baking pan with aluminum foil.

You don't have to use the foil but I find it makes clean-up a breeze! With honey in this marinade, the resulting sauce is a tad sticky and you will thank me for this tip when it's time to do dishes.

Once the oven is preheated, remove the chicken from the marinade and arrange it in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake chicken in the oven for 25 degrees, then flip the chicken over. Bake on the second side for an additional 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 167 degrees.

When measuring the temperature of the chicken, it is important to avoid the bone for an accurate measurement.

If you don't have a meat thermometer, that's ok. You can check if the marinated chicken drumsticks are done when the outside is crispy and brown and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.

When the chicken is finished, you can serve it with potatoes, rice, or even over noodles. Add a steamed green veggie and you have a quick and easy meal the whole family will love.

Variations

Here are a couple of different ways you can prepare chicken made with chicken drumstick marinade.

• Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks - Cook in the slow cooker for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
• Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Drumsticks - Air Fry at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Grilled - Grill over medium heat (400 degrees) for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.

See a complete guide to my slow cooker version here!

Storage

When I make these at my house, there are never any leftovers! If you are lucky enough to have some extras, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, lay the chicken back out on a baking sheet and heat in a 350° oven until heated through. You can also shred leftover chicken and use it in a salad or in a wrap.

Expert Tips and FAQS

I hope your family loves this recipe as much as mine does! Remember these tips when you make it:

• Marinade at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight.
• Using aluminum foil on the baking sheet helps with clean-up.
• You can make this recipe in the oven, air fryer, pressure cooker, or grill.
• The best method for checking the doneness of chicken is using a meat thermometer.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!