Honey Soy Chicken

Honey Soy Chicken

This honey soy chicken is quite possibly the easiest way to make juicy, tender chicken in the oven. My dad used to make this for us all the time when growing up. To this day, Dad still serves up this dish whenever we make a trip back home. It was a hit with his kids and now it’s a hit with his grandkids.

Of course, Dad never used actual recipes, yet his chicken turned out fork-tender and scrumptious every single time. I’ve tried watching him cook, but I always have to come up with my own measurements because no, I cannot remember the exact color and thickness of that sauce by just watching you. After many attempts, I’ve nailed down this recipe – it’s tender, full of flavor, and perfect over your favorite rice.

Basic Pantry Ingredients

• Asian Rice Cooking Wine is found at most Asian grocery stores. It is a cooking wine, and is not the same thing as sweet rice wine or seasoned rice wine. It’s sometimes called Chinese Cooking Wine or Shaoxing Cooking Wine.
• Pure honey provides thickness to the sauce and exceptional flavor.
• Good quality regular-strength soy sauce or Tamari sauce (gluten-free) is essential to this dish, as it provides umami flavors.

What to serve with Honey Soy Chicken

• Rice is our side of choice; you can opt for Jasmine rice or use your Instant Pot to make perfect brown rice.
• If you like extra flavor, try this Easy Fried Rice.
• Chinese Chicken Salad is our go-to for crispy, flavorful greens. If pairing with this honey soy chicken, you can omit the chicken in the salad.
• Love noodles? Try this super easy, boldly flavorful Lo Mein Noodles recipe!
• Easy Homemade Almond Jello is simply amazing as a healthier yet scrumptious dessert!

More to Cook and Eat

• Dad’s Asian Chicken Wings – these savory, sticky chicken wings are a family favorite!
• Teriyaki Chicken (Easy Stovetop Method) – this is our secret-sauce teriyaki that cooks up perfectly every time.
• Kung Pao Chicken (Healthy!) – you can easily make fantastic kung pao chicken without all the grease.
• Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken – skip the frying and excess breading, with this hugely flavorful orange chicken recipe.

Also Try These Fabulous Baked Wings

Baked Honey Soy Chicken

5 from 47 ratings

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This Baked Honey Soy Chicken requires only a handful of simple ingredients. It’s easy, healthy, and delicious. A winning combo for the perfect weeknight meal. Serve over fluffy rice.

Servings: 15 drumsticks

Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 13-15 whole chicken drumsticks, 4.5 – 5lbs
• ⅔ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup Asian rice cooking wine, Sometimes called distilled spirits of rice; not to be confused with sweet rice wine.
• ¼ cup pure honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce, or gluten-free Tamari

Instructions

• Using paper towels, thoroughly dry each piece of chicken. (Do not skip this step, as moisture from chicken will negatively affect results.) Use a fork to poke holes everywhere on all sides of chicken pieces. Lay drumsticks in foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or two baking pans, making sure not to crowd pieces. Evenly sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper over drumsticks.
• In a bowl, combine cooking wine, honey, and soy sauce; use a whisk to mix well. Pour mixture evenly over drumsticks. Rotate drumsticks to coat. Let chicken marinade for 1 hour at moderate room temp, rotating once in between. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F, with rack on middle position.
• Cover pans tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes. Uncover pans and bake another 20-25 minutes, rotating drumsticks once or twice in between to get a nice browning on all sides. Serve while warm, with thickened sauce from the pan.

Equipment

• Shaoxing Cooking Wine, Rice cooking wine
• Tamari Soy Sauce

Notes

• Rice cooking wine can be found in ethnic aisles of some major grocery stores and definitely in Asian grocery stores. I use Shaoxing Cooking Wine, but you can use your preferred brand. If you can’t find it, you can try substituting with dry sherry.
• Be sure not to use rice vinegar by accident, as that would impart a tangy vinegar flavor – great for salad dressings, but not for this recipe. 
• If you have 2 large rimmed sheet pans, you can place one pan on top of the other to use as a “cover” in the oven. 
• If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ❤️

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Nutrition (per serving)

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 174mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.04mg

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Asian

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose

Method: baked, baking, Oven