Asian Glazed Chicken Drumsticks (Print Version)

Juicy drumsticks slow-cooked in sweet and savory Asian glaze until falling off the bone

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 12 chicken drumsticks (approximately 3.3 lbs), skin removed if preferred

→ Asian Glaze

02 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 1/4 cup honey
04 - 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
12 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Garnish

13 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until fully incorporated and smooth.
02 - Arrange the chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker insert. Pour the prepared glaze over the chicken, turning each piece to ensure even coating on all sides.
03 - Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low heat setting for 4 hours or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat is tender and beginning to pull away from the bone.
04 - Transfer the cooked drumsticks to a serving platter using tongs. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm while preparing the sauce.
05 - Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the saucepan with the cooking liquid.
06 - Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
07 - Brush or spoon the thickened glaze generously over the drumsticks. Sprinkle with sliced scallions and sesame seeds just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The glaze caramelizes into this sticky, finger-licking situation that makes everyone forget about using forks
  • Your slow cooker does literally all the heavy lifting while you go about your life
02 -
  • The sauce looks way too thin when you first pour it into the saucepan, but the cornstarch needs that boiling moment to activate and thicken
  • If you want that restaurant-style caramelized finish, pop the glazed drumsticks under the broiler for 2 minutes, but watch them like a hawk because the sugar goes from perfect to burned quickly
03 -
  • If you're feeding a crowd, double the sauce recipe because people will want extra for their rice
  • Maple syrup works in a pinch if you're out of honey, but the flavor profile changes slightly

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