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- 8 chicken drumsticks - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - Salt to taste - Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) This recipe starts with fresh chicken drumsticks. I love using drumsticks because they stay juicy and tender. Minced garlic adds a strong, fragrant flavor. The marinade is the star of this dish. It combines sweet brown sugar and salty soy sauce. The olive oil adds richness. Apple cider vinegar gives a slight tang, which balances the sweetness. For seasonings, we use ground ginger for warmth. Black pepper adds a touch of heat. Salt is key to enhancing all the flavors. You can add fresh parsley at the end. It adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish. Gather these simple ingredients to create a tasty meal. The mix of flavors will impress everyone at your table. You can also customize this recipe. Try adding herbs or spices that you enjoy. Cooking should be fun and personal! Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is key for getting a perfect bake. It allows the chicken to cook evenly, ensuring a tender inside and a crispy outside. In a mixing bowl, combine four minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce. Add two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk this mix until the brown sugar dissolves. This marinade adds great flavor to your chicken. Take eight chicken drumsticks and place them in a large zip-lock bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure each drumstick gets a good coat. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, let it sit for up to four hours. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This helps with easy cleanup later. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. Arrange the marinated drumsticks on the rack. Leave space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate, cooking the chicken evenly. Bake your drumsticks in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check that the chicken is cooked through and has a nice caramelized glaze. For an extra crispy finish, broil the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning. Once cooked, take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps keep the juices inside. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your delicious garlic brown sugar chicken drumsticks! For the best flavor, marinate your chicken well. I suggest marinating for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, let it sit for up to 4 hours. This gives the flavors time to soak in. Use a plastic bag or a bowl to keep the chicken covered in the marinade. Make sure each drumstick is coated completely. This ensures every bite is tasty. To get that desired crispiness, you can adjust your cooking methods. Baking at a high temperature helps the skin crisp up. If you want extra crunch, broil the drumsticks for 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on them, so they don’t burn. You can also grill or air fry these drumsticks. Grilling adds a smoky flavor that many love. For air frying, set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and cook for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. These garlic brown sugar chicken drumsticks taste great with many sides. I suggest serving them with rice or mashed potatoes. Roasted veggies also make a perfect pair. For a fresh touch, add a salad or some coleslaw. A light dipping sauce can add extra flavor too. Enjoy your meal! {{image_2}} You can make garlic brown sugar chicken drumsticks even better. Try adding spicy elements like sriracha. This gives the dish a nice kick. Mix in a tablespoon of sriracha to your marinade. It balances the sweet and savory flavors perfectly. Citrus flavors also work well. Squeeze some lemon or orange juice into the marinade. This adds freshness and brightens up the dish. You can use the zest as well for extra flavor. Citrus enhances the sweetness of the brown sugar. If you want to switch things up, use different sweeteners. Honey or maple syrup can replace brown sugar. These options add unique flavors that pair well with chicken. Use the same amount as the brown sugar in the recipe. For gluten-free options, try soy sauce substitutes. Coconut aminos or tamari are great choices. They give a similar taste without gluten. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish. You can make low-carb variations of this recipe. Substitute the brown sugar with stevia or erythritol. This keeps the sweetness while cutting carbs. If you're looking for dairy-free tips, you're in luck. This recipe is already dairy-free. Just ensure your soy sauce is dairy-free too. Enjoying tasty meals while sticking to your diet is easy! To keep your garlic brown sugar chicken drumsticks fresh, store them in the fridge. Place the cooled drumsticks in an airtight container. They will stay good for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing. Freezing is a great option for cooked chicken drumsticks. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each drumstick tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped drumsticks in a freezer-safe bag. They can last for up to three months. When you are ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Reheat your drumsticks to keep them juicy and tasty. The best way is to use the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet. Cover them with foil to keep moisture in. Heat for about 20 minutes or until warm. You can also microwave them, but this may make them a bit dry. Enjoy your delicious chicken! You can marinate chicken drumsticks for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, I suggest marinating for up to 4 hours. The longer you marinate, the more the flavors soak in. Just remember to keep them in the fridge while marinating. Yes, you can use other cuts like chicken breasts, thighs, or wings. Each cut will have a different cooking time. Breasts may cook faster, while thighs and wings will be juicier. Adjust your timing based on the cut you choose. I love pairing these drumsticks with simple sides. Here are some great options: - Steamed broccoli - Garlic mashed potatoes - Creamy coleslaw - Fresh garden salad These sides balance the sweet and savory of the chicken. Absolutely! For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Place the marinated drumsticks in a single layer. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for a crispy skin and juicy inside. To check if the chicken is done, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the drumstick. It should read at least 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure the juices run clear when pierced. In this blog post, we explored a tasty recipe for garlic brown sugar chicken drumsticks. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for cooking the best chicken. Remember, marinating adds flavor and options like grilling can change the dish. You can also try fun variations, like adding spicy flavors or using honey instead of sugar. Follow the storage tips to keep your leftovers fresh. Enjoy trying out this recipe and make it your own! Your meal will be both delicious and memorable.

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Drumsticks

Try these mouthwatering Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Drumsticks for a delicious weeknight dinner! This easy recipe combines simple ingredients like garlic, brown sugar, and soy sauce for a tasty marinade that will have everyone asking for seconds. Perfectly baked with a caramelized glaze, these drumsticks are sure to become a family favorite. Click to explore the full recipe and impress your loved ones tonight!
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Ingredients
  

8 chicken drumsticks

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).

    Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined.

      Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken drumsticks in a large zip-lock bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for more flavor).

        Prepare for Baking: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks on the rack, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.

          Bake the Drumsticks: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice caramelized glaze. For extra crispiness, you can broil the drumsticks for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning.

            Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven, and let it rest for a few minutes. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

              Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 mins | 50 mins | Serves 4