While I tend to make chicken drumsticks mostly to please my kids, this is one recipe that we, the grownups, enjoy just as much as they do. This is one of my favorite chicken recipes. I make it often because everyone loves it - adults and kids. It’s so juicy and flavorful! I usually use chicken drumsticks, but this recipe also works with bone-in chicken thighs or chicken leg quarters, adding about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time and loosely covering the tops with foil to prevent them from burning.
Ingredients
Recipe Card
Chicken: I use skin-on chicken in this recipe. You can remove the skin if you wish, but the crispy skin greatly enhances this dish. I typically use chicken drumsticks, but you can use other parts and adjust the cooking time. If using bone-in chicken thighs or chicken leg quarters, add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. Always aim for an internal temperature of 165°F when cooking chicken, and check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer not touching the bone. Melted butter: I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great. Salted or unsalted are both fine. Honey: It has two roles in this recipe. It adds great flavor and promotes caramelizing. Mustard: I use Dijon mustard. This traditional French mustard is creamier, thicker, and less vinegary than yellow mustard. To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. I prefer garlic powder to fresh garlic because it coats the chicken pieces uniformly.
Prepare the sauce. Make a quick sauce of melted butter, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Coat the chicken. Brush the chicken pieces with the sauce. I use a pastry brush. If the tops are darkening too much, loosely cover the chicken with foil and continue baking until it’s cooked through. Its internal temperature should reach 165°F. Alternatively, I serve it with a stovetop side such as spaghetti squash fritters, steamed cabbage, or sauteed broccolini. The leftovers can be frozen in freezer bags for up to three months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and then reheat them in the microwave or oven.
