Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Drumsticks: Sweet, Savory, and Smoky!

If you love your grilled chicken sticky, savory, and packed with flavor, these honey garlic grilled drumsticks will hit the spot. They’re the perfect mix of sweet and tangy, with a touch of smoky char from the grill. Whether you’re throwing a backyard barbecue or whipping up a simple weeknight dinner, these drumsticks are sure to please both kids and adults alike. Bonus: they’re easy to make and packed with bold, crowd-pleasing flavors.

PIN IT

Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Marinating 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Western

Servings 4

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Large Resealable Plastic Bag or Shallow Dish For Marinating
• Grill or grill pan
• Basting Brush
• Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  

For the Marinade and Glaze

• 6–8 about 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 4 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes optional, for heat
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish

• Fresh parsley chopped
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

 

Prepare the Marinade

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, olive oil, garlic, rice vinegar, smoked paprika, ground ginger, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Reserve about 1/4 cup of this mixture in a small bowl for glazing later.

Marinate the Drumsticks

1. Place the drumsticks in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and turn the chicken to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but 4 hours or overnight is ideal.
   PIN IT

Preheat the Grill

1. Heat your grill to medium-high (about 375–400°F). If you’re using a grill pan, preheat it over medium heat and brush it with oil to prevent sticking.

Grill the Drumsticks

1. Remove the drumsticks from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place them on the grill and cook for about 25–30 minutes, turning every 5–7 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Glaze and Finish

1. In the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush the reserved marinade onto the drumsticks, turning them to caramelize the glaze without burning.
   PIN IT

Garnish and Serve

1. Remove the drumsticks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and sesame seeds for a pop of color and texture. Serve hot!

Pairings

These honey garlic drumsticks pair wonderfully with:

• Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus.
• A fresh side salad with a citrus vinaigrette.
• Garlic butter rice or buttery mashed potatoes.
• A crisp, cold drink like lemonade or an iced tea.

FAQs

1. Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! This recipe works great with thighs or wings. Just adjust the cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer, and wings cook faster.

2. What if I don’t have a grill?

You can cook these in the oven! Bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, turning halfway. Broil for the last 2–3 minutes to caramelize the glaze.

3. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer to retain their crispiness.

4. What makes the glaze sticky?

The honey caramelizes beautifully during grilling, creating that signature sticky coating. Make sure to brush the glaze in the final minutes to avoid burning.