With only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, Baked Honey Soy Chicken will quickly become a family favorite. It’s super tender, flavorful, and healthy. Perfect over a bed of fluffy rice.
I let myself be interrupted today.
Instead of sitting down to write this post like The Schedule said to, I allowed myself to be lured away into the great outdoors by my 3 favorite boys. It hit 60F today and it’s the last day of March. The sound of laughing children and chirping birdies begged me to let. it. go.
So I did. I don’t often do interruptions well. Today I did. It was past sunset by the time my busy brood hustled back home.
After biking, running wild, and basketballing, the boys were ready for a second dinner…
I didn’t say seconds of dinner. I said a second dinner.
We aren’t even into the teen years yet. I am very afraid.
Thankfully, I had just enough leftovers to feed those hungry tummies. My dad taught me how to make this ridiculously easy Baked Honey Soy Chicken when I was a kid. To this day, Dad still rocks this dish for my boys whenever we make a trip back home.
It’s always a hit. Always.
Of course, Dad doesn’t use recipes, and his chicken turns 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 my plain eyes.
[Why do they cook like that…?!]
After years of trying to replicate it, this is the closest I’ve come to cloning Dad’s non-recipe.
This chicken is tender, full of flavor, and perfect over your favorite rice. Enjoy.
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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.
Ingredients
- 15 chicken drumsticks
- 2/3 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup Asian rice cooking wine (Sometimes called distilled spirits of rice; not to be confused with sweet rice wine.)
- 1/4 cup pure honey
- 1/4 cup good quality, regular (not light) soy sauce
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 baking pans (may need to use 2 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; stir well to incorporate. Pour mixture evenly over drumsticks. Rotate drumsticks to coat. Let sit in 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 in between to get a nice browning on all sides. Serve while warm, with sauce from the pan.
- *Note: You can find Asian rice cooking wine in the Asian aisles of most major grocery stores nowadays. I use Michiu brand, but any brand will work. If you can’t find it, you can try substituting with dry sherry.
Source: Chew Out Loud
Here are a few other homegrown, tried-and-true recipes we think you’ll love:
1. Asian Sticky Rice. When I make this, it has to be a huge pot full. Because that’s how quickly it’s devoured.
2. Asian Potstickers. Made healthier with ground turkey/chicken in lieu of pork, these are amazingly delicious and always the first appetizer to disappear.
3. Asian Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas. One of my favorite weeknight stir fry dishes. Light and healthy, yet packed with rich flavors. Succulent over a bed of fluffy white rice.
4. Garlic Soy Braised Chicken. Braised in a delicious sauce, this chicken comes out tender and mouthwatering.
5. Fish with Black Bean Sauce. I used to love ordering this at my favorite Chinese restaurants. Once I started making it at home, I’ve never bothered with takeout again. Homemade is way healthier and scrumptious.
This honey chicken looks delicious! Love the fact it’s baked! The flavours are all so good too!
Thanks, Jess, and so happy you came over today 🙂
Could you do this in the croc pot? It is getting humid in FL and the croc pot keeps the house a lot cooler than using the oven.
You could certainly try the Crock Pot, Rubyann, but my guess is the results will be different. You’ll probably get a more of a watery sauce than a thickened sauce, as the oven helps dry the moisture out (whereas slow cookers retain most of the moisture and even create additional moisture.) If you’re looking for a great Crock Pot chicken recipe, I’d highly recommend this one: https://www.chewoutloud.com/2014/08/27/slow-cooker-chicken-teriyaki/ — it’s delicious and the Teriyaki sauce gives a great Asian flair! 🙂
thank yu
I have boys and feel the same about “second dinner”! Thanks for the great yummy health fuel choices here, im hooked!
You’re welcome, Hope! Thanks for coming over today, so glad you’re here 🙂
I can already taste the tenderness and juiciness of the chicken. I just love anything that has honey! And I also love that this one is baked.
Thank you so much, Maureen! So glad you dropped by today 🙂
Oooh I am so happy I discovered your site! Everything looks so yummy, I’m looking forward to trying ALL the recipes. ; )
Aww, thank you so much! 🙂
Is that green onions on top?
Hi, Lori! It’s been awhile, but I believe it’s chopped parsley…purely for vanity’s sake 🙂 You could definitely use green onions if you want a bit of green on top. Hope you guys love this as much as we do 🙂
I tried this tonight, and it was delicious!!! You are right – it has now become a family favorite. Thanks, Amy!
Yay, that’s what we love to hear, Joanne!! So glad you guys enjoyed this 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to come let us know!
Hi Amy!
This looks fantastic! I’d love to include your baked honey soy chicken recipe in a chicken roundup I’m doing for Parade Magazine.
If you’re fine with it, could I use one of your gorgeous photos with a link back to your original post (https://www.chewoutloud.com/2015/03/31/baked-honey-soy-chicken/)?
Let me know!
Thanks,
Felicia
Sounds great, Felicia. Thank you for asking! 🙂
ok i am having a hard time finding this asian rice cooking wine. I do want to try the recipe. Can you subtitute it? Do you have to use it? what will the difference be in the recipe
It’s usually in the Asian or ethnic aisles of most major grocery stores. However if you cannot find it, you can try subbing with regular cooking wine. Something simple, not too floral or fruity. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Hi can I use sake for this recipe
? And how much of it would I use?
Can you substitute with chicken breasts or thighs and have this turn out ok?
Really interested in trying this recipe do I need to use the wine, or I can I do it without it.
Alejandra, this recipe really is best with the cooking wine. That said, you can use sherry in place of the wine. Hope that helps. Enjoy and have a great fall/holiday season!
Instead of Asian cooking wine can I use something different like rice wine vinegar?
Melanie, because rice wine vinegar is very different from cooking wine, if you want to sub, you can try sherry or dry white wine. Otherwise, you might be better off using chicken broth instead of the vinegar. Hope you guys love it! 🙂