Honey mustard chicken drumsticks are one of the easiest Chicken Drumstick Recipe for Busy Weeknights. These juicy baked chicken legs get ready in less than 40 mins. A chicken dinner recipe that’s perfect for beginners and makes an easy, tasty midweek meal the whole family will enjoy.
Looking for more drumsticks dinner ideas? Try these lemon pepper chicken legs recipe and if you want side dishes for chicken drumsticks we’ve got you covered.
This recipe post contains helpful tips, tricks and answers to FAQs. Please read through to ensure you get the recipe right when you try it.
Table of Contents
- Easy baked honey mustard chicken drumsticks recipe
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients
- Tools used for this recipe
- How long does it take to cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?
- How to make baked chicken legs
- What to serve with
- How to store and Reheat
- Tips
- FAQs
- More one dish chicken drumstick recipe ideas.
- Baked honey mustard chicken drumsticks
Easy baked honey mustard chicken drumsticks recipe
These cook quickly and a favorite for kids and adults alike. Honey mustard chicken pairs nicely with vegetables or grains to round out the meal. The magic of these drumsticks comes from the sticky honey mustard coating.
The sweet honey and zesty Dijon mustard form a flavor packed base for the spices to adhere to. As the chicken cooks, the natural sugars in the honey caramelize, helping achieve crispy browned skin.
The mustard adds delightful tang and the garlic and coriander lend depth of flavor and aroma to this easy baked drumstick recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick prep: Just 5 minutes to coat the drumsticks!
- Kid-friendly flavor: Sweet honey mustard glaze appeals to children's tastes.
- Crispy skin: Baking gives a nice crispy texture without deep frying.
- Easy to double: Make extra for busy weeknights and leftovers
Ingredients
Chicken drumsticks
Olive oil
Honey
Dijon Mustard
Coriander
Garlic powder
Salt
Tools used for this recipe
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- Baking pan
- Kitchen tongs
- Mixing bowl
How long does it take to cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?
It typically takes 35-45 minutes to bake chicken drumsticks in a preheated oven at 400°F. However there are other factors that affect how long drumsticks cook in the oven. Such as oven temperature, if you cook at a lower temp like 350°F it will take up to 50 mins to cook and if you cook at a higher temperature like 425°F it could take 35 to 40 mins.
The size of the drumsticks will also affect cook time. Smaller drumsticks will cook faster while bigger drumsticks will need more time.
Chicken drumsticks are fully cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 165-175°F. The best way to test this is by inserting an instant read meat thermometer (👈 affiliate link) into the thickest part of the drumstick, taking care not to touch any bones.
How to make baked chicken legs
See printable recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions!
In the oven
Transfer washed chicken to a bowl and pat dry with paper towels (Should you wash chicken?) it’s a personal choice. Feel free to do what you are comfortable with.
Mix the sauce ingredients (honey, mustard, salt, olive oil, coriander and garlic powder)
Add the sauce to the chicken. Mix to combine till all are well coated.
Arrange chicken drumsticks in a baking dish and cook in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 mins. Flip the chicken spoon on some sauce from the drippings. Continue cooking for another 15 to 20 mins or until internal temp reads 165°F (74°C).
Let chicken rest for 5 to 10 mins before serving.
What to serve with
The sweet and tangy honey mustard chicken drumsticks pairs well with this one pot spicy Thai noodles and wine poached pears make for a great dessert to serve with this dish. Here are some more delicious side dishes to serve with this recipe.
Baked beans: The savory, smoky beans complement the chicken nicely.
Coleslaw: Cool, crisp coleslaw provides fresh goes well with any chicken recipe.
Cornbread or crusty bread: Warm, buttery cornbread sopping up the honey glaze or bread to mop up the sauce.
Mac and cheese: Who doesn't love mac and cheese!? The cheesy, creamy pasta is comfort food heaven with drumsticks.
Roasted vegetables: Root veggies like potatoes, carrots and parsnips roast up beautifully alongside chicken.
How to store and Reheat
Proper storage and reheating your leftover honey mustard drumsticks ensures they stay safe to eat and maintain their flavor and texture. Allow to cool completely, then store drumsticks in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
You can also freeze baked drumsticks for 2-3 months in air-tight freezer bags.
Reheating
You can reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 mins or until heated through. Alternatively use the microwave heating at 30 mins intervals for 1 to 2 mins or until heated through.
Tips
- Don't overcook! Chicken drumsticks cook quickly. Set a timer and check them early.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Remember to flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
- Allow baked drumsticks to rest 5 minutes before serving. This will help redistribute juices and ensure your chicken is juicy.
FAQs
Absolutely! While the recipe is crafted for drumsticks, chicken thighs can be a great alternative. Depending on size, bone in chicken thighs are likely to have similar cooking times with drumsticks than boneless chicken thighs. However, the important thing is to adjust cooking time as needed.
Typically, bake the drumsticks for 35-45 minutes at 400°F (200°C). However, cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the size of the drumsticks. It's best to use a meat thermometer—drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when fully cooked.
Yes, marinating the drumsticks beforehand enhances the flavor. Aim for at least 30 minutes to allow the honey mustard mixture to infuse the chicken. For stronger flavor, marinate them for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator.
Unlike the air fryer that doesn’t need to be preheated, preheating the oven is essential for ensuring even cooking and proper browning of the drumsticks. It helps achieve the desired texture and flavor, so it's recommended not to skip this step.
More one dish chicken drumstick recipe ideas.
- Cajun chicken drumsticks
- Crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Brazilian chicken drumsticks
- Check out all our chicken recipes.
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Baked honey mustard chicken drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8-10 chicken drumsticks (about 2.2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 to 4 tbsps honey
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon coriander
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F (200°C)
- In a bowl, mix together olive oil, honey, mustard, salt, and spices. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl and toss to coat each drumstick thoroughly with the mixture. Optionally, cover the bowl with cling film and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Transfer the coated chicken drumsticks to a baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
- Bake the drumsticks for 20 minutes then remove from oven, flip each drumstick over, and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Larger sized drumsticks may require additional baking time.
- Let drumsticks rest for 5 to 10 mins before serving.
Notes
- Don't overcook! Chicken drumsticks cook quickly. Set a timer and check them early.
- Use 4 tablespoons of honey if you like it really sweet or use 2 to 3 for less sweet chicken.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet for easy cleanup.
- Remember to flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
- Allow baked drumsticks to rest 5 minutes before serving. This will help redistribute juices and ensure your chicken is juicy.
So what do you think?