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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Baked Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks (Oven and Air Fryer)

    Published: Aug 9, 2022 · Modified: Nov 4, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 10 Comments

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    Baked teriyaki chicken drumsticks make a hearty and satisfying dinner the whole family will love! An easy teriyaki chicken marinade infuses the chicken legs with bold flavors and they cook up juicy and tender in the oven.

    Teriyaki chicken drumsticks on a plate with sesame seeds and diced green onions.

    These chicken drumsticks cook up with so much flavor! It all starts with an easy teriyaki chicken marinade and then we add a homemade teriyaki sauce before serving. 

    I am a huge fan of making homemade marinades and sauces! Not only do I think making homemade tastes better, but you get to control the sweetness of the sauce.

    If you want to make more condiments at home, you might also enjoy this cranberry balsamic sauce or this homemade alfredo sauce.

    Want to explore more ways to cook up chicken for dinner? Try these Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks , Butterfly Drumsticks, Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe, Kung Pao Bowl or my favorite Chinese Honey Chicken Drumsticks. For a satisfying meal, they all go great with this Cheesy Potato Casserole.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Budget-friendly meal. Drumsticks are less per pound than other cuts of chicken and making homemade sauces save money too!
    • Great flavor and satisfying main course.
    • Easy prep and simple cleanup!
    • Homemade means you control the amount of sugar used!

    Ingredients

    The ingredient list for this recipe is super simple and you will be able to easily find them at most grocery stores. Let's look at what goes into making the best teriyaki drumsticks in the oven!

    Overhead photo of all the ingredients.
    • Chicken drumsticks: Drumsticks are a budget-friendly cut of chicken that kids and adults both love!
    • Soy sauce: Use regular soy sauce or reduced sodium. If you need a gluten-free option, substitute with coconut aminos.
    • Sweetener: We use a combination of brown sugar and honey to make our homemade teriyaki sauce. 
    • Aromatics: Fresh ginger and garlic infuse the sauce with flavor.
    • Mirin: A Japanese rice wine that flavors the teriyaki sauce. You can find it in some large grocery stores in the international aisle or pick it up at your local Asian market.
    • Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce.

    How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks

    Making this recipe is simple and is broken down into three main steps! First, you want to marinate the chicken, make the teriyaki sauce and bake the chicken! The hands-on time is only about 10 minutes in total!

    How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Marinade 

    To be honest I prefer to make my own homemade teriyaki marinade and teriyaki sauce when making this recipe!  

    We start with our teriyaki chicken marinade that does not use brown sugar or honey and involves NO cooking.

    Marinating the chicken means a more flavorful meal on the table. Let's get started.

    1. Add the ingredients into a large resealable bag.
    2. Move it around until everything is well blended. 
    Overhead photo of a resealable bag with soy sauce.
    Overhead photo of a resealable bag with teriyaki sauce.
    1. Add the chicken and toss with the marinade in the bag.
    2. Remove as much air as possible and refrigerate for between 1 and 24 hours.
    Chicken added to marinade in the bag.
    Bag sealed and chicken in marinade.

    TOP TIP: Flip the bag over a few times while it's in the refrigerator so that all the chicken soaks up the yummy marinade!

    Make the Easy Teriyaki Sauce

    You can make the teriyaki sauce ahead of time while the chicken is marinating or while the chicken legs cook.

    1. Combine the soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan.
    Soy sauce added to a saucepan to make the sauce.
    Ingredients added to soy sauce to make homemade teriyaki sauce.
    1. Mix together the mirin and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved.
    2. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce in the saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Cook until sauce is reduced and syrupy.
    3. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey. Adjust the amount you add to your own sweetness preference.
    Cornstarch and mirin in a small bowl.
    Cooked teriyaki sauce in a saucepan.

    Bake the Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks

    After the chicken has marinated for enough time, you're ready to start cooking them.

    1. To save time on clean-up, cover a a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and top with a rack lightly coated in cooking spray. 
    2. Remove the drumsticks from the marinade. Place on your prepared sheet spaced evenly apart.
    Uncooked and seasoned teriyaki chicken legs on a pan and rack.
    1. Bake the drumsticks for about 30-35 minutes. The skin should be crisp and the internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.

    TOP TIP: If you using other cuts you will need to adjust the cooking time. Cook chicken thighs for about 35-40 minutes and chicken legs for about 40-45 minutes. 

    Cooked teriyaki chicken legs on a baking rack.
    1. When the chicken drumsticks are fully cooked, coat them with the teriyaki sauce and bake for another 5 minutes.
    2. Remove from the oven, coat with more sauce, and allow the chicken to rest for five minutes. Serve it up with additional sauce on the side.

    Air Fryer Instructions: If you prefer to use the air fryer, you will find instructions on the recipe card.

    Closeup photo of Teriyaki-Chicken-Drumsticks topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Want to save some time? While I think homemade is the best, you can use a storebought teriyaki sauce if you need to cut the prep time.
    • Chicken drumsticks. You can also make this with just about any cut of bone-in or boneless chicken. Just be sure to check the cooking time for the different types of chicken.
    • Honey: The honey does give the sauce a particular flavor, but you can swap it with maple syrup or agave syrup.
    • Mirin: You can swap it out with dry sherry or sweet marsala wine or for a nonalcoholic substitute you can use white wine vinegar or rice vinegar.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Store leftovers after cooling completely in an airtight container for up to five days.
    • Freezer: Make extra baked teriyaki drumsticks and store them in the freezer for up to three months. Just be sure they are stored in a well-sealed zip-top bag or container.
    • Reheat: To reheat leftovers, lay them back out on a lined baking dish. Add a bit of water to the bottom of the pan and cover with foil. Place in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Brush with more teriyaki sauce before serving.

    Expert Tips

    • Taste as you go. When making the teriyaki sauce, keep adding a little honey at a time, stirring and tasting after each addition, until you reach the perfect amount of sweetness for you and your family.
    • Don't overcook. Use a thermometer to check the drumsticks for doneness. It's ready at 165° F.
    • Easy cleanup. The teriyaki sauce can be a bit sticky so be sure to cover the baking tray with foil to save time on cleanup!
    • More flavor. The longer the chicken marinates the more flavor it will have! I vote for a minimum of overnight! But if you're in a hurry 1-2 hours can work.

    FAQ

    What’s the difference between a chicken leg and a chicken drumstick?

    A chicken leg is a larger cut and includes the drumstick and a thigh attached together while with drumsticks the thigh is separated so you are only left with the drumstick.

    Can I make chicken drumsticks on the grill?

    Yes, they can! To get started, turn all of your burners to high and close your cover for about 15 minutes to heat the grill. When you’re ready to start cooking, leave your main burner on high and turn off all of your other burners. Grill temperature should ideally be between 325 and 350 degrees.

    Brush clean and oil your cooking grates. Then place your drumsticks, skin side down, on the side of your barbecue that is turned off. You will be cooking your chicken on this side only.

    Close your lid and cook for 25 minutes. Rotate the chicken drumsticks from the cooler side of the barbecue to the side closest to the hot part of the grill. Cover and cook until drumsticks register 185 to 190 degrees, another 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your drumsticks.

    Once cooked, move all of your drumsticks to the hot side of your grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the skin is nicely charred, about 5 more minutes. Transfer chicken to serving platter and brush with sauce.

    Closeup photo of Teriyaki-Chicken-Drumsticks topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

    More Chicken Drumstick Recipes

    • Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks, on a white plate, paired with dipping vegetables.
      Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks (Oven and Slow Cooker)
    • Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks
      Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks
    • Closeup shot of Chinese honey chicken drumsticks with rice on plate.
      Chinese Honey Chicken Drumsticks
    • Closeup shot of honey bbq chicken legs on plate.
      Honey BBQ Chicken Legs in Crock Pot

    Our video is below and I can't wait for you to see how easy it is to make our homemade teriyaki sauce!  Once you try it you may never use store-bought again!  These drumsticks are an absolutely wonderful way to use the teriyaki sauce too! 

    Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks Video

    YouTube video
    Closeup photo of Teriyaki-Chicken-Drumsticks topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

    Baked Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks

    Karin and Ken
    Baked teriyaki chicken drumsticks make a hearty and satisfying dinner the whole family will love! An easy teriyaki chicken marinade infuses the chicken legs with bold flavors and they cook up juicy and tender in the oven.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Marinate 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 301 kcal

    Equipment

    • rimmed baking sheet
    • saucepan
    • Aluminum foil
    • wire rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 chicken drumsticks or 2 pounds

    Teriyaki Marinade

    • ½ cup soy sauce
    • ¼ cup mirin Japanese rice wine
    • 1 tablespoon ginger grated or minced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced

    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

    • 1 cup soy sauce
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 2-4 tablespoons honey
    • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • ¼ cup mirin Japanese rice wine
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    Teriyaki Marinade

    • Add ingredients to a large resealable bag and adjust until blended.
    • Add chicken and toss with mixture in a large resealable bag and refrigerate for between 1 to 24 hours.

    Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

    • In a small saucepan combine soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic. 
    • In a small bowl combine mirin and cornstarch.  Stir until cornstarch is dissolved. 
    • Next, add to soy mixture. Bring sauce to boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. 
    • Then reduce your heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced and becomes syrupy, between 6 and 7 minutes. 
    • Add honey and stir.  Taste mixture to see if you want to add more honey. 
    • Cover and set aside.  

    Oven Baked Drumsticks

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and a rack lightly coated in cooking spray. Set aside.
    • Remove the drumsticks from the marinade and place on your prepared sheet spaced evenly apart.
    • Bake for between 30-35 minutes Skin should be crisp and internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
    • Once cooked, coat them with your sauce, using a brush if possible. Bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and coat with more sauce. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving.
    • Serve with additional sauce and dip on the side if desired. Enjoy every bite!

    Air Fryer Instructions

    • I just had to include this recipe for how to make teriyaki chicken drumsticks in your air fryer. I just love using mine. Just in case you love yours too, here is how to do it.
    • Follow the instructions for marinating the chicken and making the teriyaki sauce.
    • Using a sharp knife or metal skewer, poke 10 to 15 holes in skin of each drumstick or chicken leg.
    • Arrange drumsticks in air fryer basket, spaced evenly apart, alternating ends and skin side up if using chicken legs.
    • Place basket in air fryer and set temperature to 400 degrees.
    • Cook until chicken drumsticks are crisp and register 165 degrees, 22 to 25 minutes, flipping and rotating chicken halfway through cooking.
    • Brush each piece of chicken with teriyaki sauce.
    • Transfer chicken to large plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy every bite.

    Notes

    Guide to Cooking Times for Other Cuts of Chicken
    Thighs: Oven, 35-40 minutes, Air fryer, 20 to 30 minutes. Rotate but don't flip halfway through.
    Chicken legs: Oven, 40-45 minutes, Air fryer, 27 to 30 minutes. Rotate but don't flip halfway through.
    **The timing can vary greatly depending on the thickness and size of each piece of chicken. I highly recommend using a thermometer to check for doneness and cook longer as neeced.
    • Taste as you go. When making the teriyaki sauce, keep adding a little honey at a time, stirring and tasting after each addition, until you reach the perfect amount of sweetness for you and your family.
    • Don't overcook. Use a thermometer to check the drumsticks for doneness. It's ready at 165° F.
    • Easy cleanup. The teriyaki sauce can be a bit sticky so be sure to cover the baking tray with foil to save time on cleanup!
    • More flavor. The longer the chicken marinates the more flavor it will have! I vote for a minimum of overnight! But if you're in a hurry 1-2 hours can work.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 18gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 2630mgPotassium: 316mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword baked teriyaki chicken drumsticks, teriyaki chicken legs, teriyaki chicken marinade, teriyaki drumsticks
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post was originally published in October 2019. It has been republished for content and new images in August 2022.

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    Comments

    1. JennyD says

      September 28, 2024 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      Karin & Ken, Oooo wow, this was terrific! I made this last night for dinner and have to say it's the best teriyaki sauce ever to pass my lips. I followed your recipe to a T (as should always be done when trying a new recipe) and there is not even one thing I would change. I loved it so much that I wish I was having it all over again tonight. Man, oh man, this was perfection in every bite. A million thanks!!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 28, 2024 at 12:30 pm

        As always you’re most welcome! You just made my day. Enjoy the rest of your day! Hopefully you find some other recipes you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin

    2. Ryan says

      November 28, 2022 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      We wanted to try something new so we check out one of Kitchen Divas recipes. The Baked Teriyaki Chicken Drumstick looks tasty. So we decided to make this recipe and pop it in the oven. It came out very well. Will definitely make again.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 28, 2024 at 12:31 pm

        Sounds like you enjoyed this recipe as much as we all do! All the best. Karin

    3. Naomi says

      August 27, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      Best drumsticks ever. Love the new method. Just amazing. Now our kids arent the only ones enjoying the drumsticks.lol

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 05, 2020 at 4:22 pm

        Thank you for your kind words! You made my day! I love making these new drumsticks myself too. Glad I'm not alone. Happy to hear you are enjoying the drumsticks too! Enjoy your day. Karin

    4. Anonymous says

      April 25, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      The chicken drumsticks look delicious, I'll let you know how good after I make it. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        April 25, 2016 at 5:17 pm

        You are welcome. I hope you enjoy them. I can't wait to hear what you think after you make them! They are delicious! Don't hesitate to leave them in the oven longer if you need to. It all depends on how big your wings are! Take care and all the best. Karin

    5. Odette @ World of Sauces says

      April 22, 2016 at 10:33 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! This is so good! I love teriyaki chicken tender and juicy drumsticks with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        April 22, 2016 at 10:45 pm

        You are welcome. They are delicious. We love them here! with home made teriyaki sauce or store bought. Both are tasty. Take care and all the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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