Oven-baked orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks, from our kitchen to yours. This dish marries the zesty vibrancy of oranges with the umami flavor of soy sauce. It’s a dish the family has enjoyed many times. The creation started when I had an abundance of oranges. I wanted to create a teriyaki-inspired marinade for chicken.

Fast forward 2 years, this recipe is the fourth iteration. I’ve cut down the number of ingredients to the minimum required. Orange and soy glazed chicken drumsticks are a fusion of flavors that have stood the test of time.

Our journey will take you through each step of the cooking process. From selecting the right ingredients to creating the perfect glaze. That infuses every bite with a burst of citrusy sweetness and umami richness. We’ll share chef pro tips, ensuring that your dish turns out perfectly every time.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook. Or just starting to explore the world of culinary creativity. This recipe is designed to inspire and satisfy. So, join us as we bring this classic fusion of flavors to life. Get ready to cook oven-baked orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks. A timeless dish that’s bound to become a favorite in your household.

Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients Deep Dive

Orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks Ingredient, deep dive. Every ingredient has its place this is what makes this dish delicious. Let’s dive right in and discover the secrets behind these remarkable ingredients.

Ingredients

• 12 Chicken drumsticks.
• 1 Orange (flesh and zest).
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 4 cloves Garlic.
• 1 thumb-sized piece of Ginger.
• 2 Bay leaves.
• 1 small Onion.
• 1 tbsp Rice bran oil.

• Chicken Drumsticks — The heart of this dish. They provide succulent, tender meat. That is perfect for absorbing the flavors of the marinade. Opt for fresh range or barn-raised, skin-on drumsticks for the best results.

• Oranges — They offer a burst of bright citrus flavor and natural sweetness. We use locally sourced fruit, and you should too.
• Soy Sauce — A staple in many Asian cuisines. Soy sauce brings an umami flavor. And acts as a seasoning. I use one of two Korean Sempio soy sauces and so should you. These can be found in any Korean Mart.

• Ginger — Fresh ginger introduces a warm, spicy kick. That harmonizes beautifully with the citrusy and umami elements. Avoid using powdered or dried ginger.
• Garlic — Adds an aromatic note complementing the ginger. It also pulls all the other ingredients together. We always use local garlic, it has a superior flavor.
• Onion — This gives the marinade body. Along with another layer of flavor. Creating a balanced contrast with the ginger and garlic.
• Bay Leaf — This aromatic herb adds a subtle, earthy note to the dish, complementing the sweetness of the glaze. You can use dried or fresh bay leaves.
• Rice Bran Oil — We are going to use a neutral-flavored oil. Rice bran has a high smoke point which makes it great for roasting and baking.

Oven Baked Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Get ready to transform simple ingredients into delicious orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks. Follow us as we help you to recreate this timeless family favorite. We will guide you through the step-by-step process. Give you chef-pro tips to add to your culinary repertoire along the way.

Prepping The Drumsticks

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). For a convection oven 160°C (320°F). Gas mark 4.

1. Give the drumsticks a quick wash. Dry them with disposable towels. I like to cut the knuckles off. This is for presentation purposes and is optional. Place them into a bowl.

Making The Orange Soy Marinade

2. Zest and peel the oranges, quarter, and remove any seeds. Peel and slice the ginger, and crush the garlic. Peel and roughly dice the onion. Place them all into a blender. Along with the soy sauce. bay leaves, and oil.
   • Blend to a smooth paste. Pour the paste over the chicken. Rub the marinade into the drumsticks and let sit for 30 minutes.

Baking The Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

3. Place the marinated drumsticks into a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet. Place them into the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. When done they should be caramelized and glazed. Temperature check with a meat thermometer they should have an internal temperature of between 70-75°C (158-167°F).

Tomato And Avocado Salad

4. While the chicken is baking start to make the salad. Cut and remove the seed from the avocado. Remove from the shell and cut into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tomato into a similar size. Place them into a bowl, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Mix well until combined.

Plating Your Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

5. When the drumsticks are cooked remove them from the oven. Let them rest for 5 minutes. Start by placing the avocado and tomato salad onto the plate. Place the drumsticks onto the plates. Add a grind of black pepper and some chopped scallions. You can serve your orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks with rice.

Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks Substitutions

While the classic recipe for orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks is a culinary delight in its own right. There are times when you may not have the right ingredients required. Or you want to switch things up. Here are some creative substitutions that will allow you to craft a delicious and unique dish. That still captures the essence of the original.

1. Chicken Thighs Or Whole Chicken — If you prefer dark meat or have whole chicken on hand. You can easily substitute chicken thighs or even a whole chicken for drumsticks. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the chicken remains tender and succulent.
2. Lemon Or Limes — Oranges bring a distinctive citrusy sweetness. Lemons and limes offer a zesty twist. Use their juice and zest to infuse your dish with a tangy, refreshing flavor. Add a teaspoon of honey to the marinade to counteract the tangy lemon or lime flavors.
3. Scallions Or Shallots — Scallions provide a mild, onion-like flavor, while shallots offer a sweeter, more complex taste compared to traditional onions. Experiment with these substitutes to add depth and character to your glaze.
4. Oils — When it comes to oils, you have a wide range of options. Swap out rice bran oil for avocado, peanut, or corn oil for a more robust flavor. Or sesame oil for an Asian-inspired twist. Each oil will impart its unique character to your dish.
5. Coriander Root — If you don’t have access to bay leaves, coriander root is an option. The coriander root will contribute a delightful hint of citrus and earthiness to your glaze.

You can tailor your orange soy glazed chicken dish by embracing these substitutions. This gives you the option to use what’s available in your kitchen. Whether you opt for chicken thighs with lemons or experiment with different oils. You can even explore alternative aromatics; the beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. The chance to create your unique orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks.

Cooking Is A Science And A Skill

Cooking is a science and a skill that requires a deep understanding of both the technical and creative aspects. Cooking is also a matter of precise measurements and ratios.

For example, baking is particularly sensitive to accurate measurements and temperatures. A slight deviation in the amount of an ingredient or cooking degrees can result in a completely different outcome. So, to help you here is a handy little unit converter tool for cooking without guesswork.

Oven Baked Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks A Classic Fusion Of Flavors

3 from 1 vote

PREP TIME: | 15 minutes mins

COOK TIME: | 35 minutes mins

TOTAL TIME: | 50 minutes mins

SERVINGS: | 4 people

AUTHOR: | Shannon The Helpful Chef

PIN PRINT RECIPE

DESCRIPTION

DISH SUMMARY

Inspiring your weeknight dinner ideas with our orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks. A classic fusion of flavors, from our kitchen to yours, amazing.

Equipment

• ▢
  Cookware
• ▢
  Kitchen Gadgets
• ▢
  Kitchen Knives

Ingredients

1x2x3x

METRICUS CUSTOMARY

• ▢ 12 Chicken drumsticks
• ▢ 1 Orange
• ▢ 2 tbsp Soy sauce Sempio
• ▢ 4 cloves Garlic
• ▢ 2 tbsp Ginger
• ▢ 2 Bay leaves
• ▢ 1 small Onion
• ▢ 1 tbsp Rice bran oil
• ▢ 1 Avocado
• ▢ 1 Tomato

Instructions

SHOWHIDE

• Preheat your oven to 180 °C 160 °C. Gas mark 4.

  Prepping The Drumsticks — Give the drumsticks a quick wash. Dry them with disposable towels. I like to cut the knuckles off. This is for presentation purposes and is optional. Place them into a bowl.
  
• Making The Orange Soy Glaze — Zest and peel the oranges, quarter, and remove any seeds. Peel and slice the ginger, and crush the garlic. Peel and roughly dice the onion. Place them all into a blender. Along with the soy sauce. bay leaves, and oil.

  Blend to a smooth paste. Pour the paste over the chicken. Rub the marinade into the drumsticks and let sit for 15 minutes. You can marinate the chicken in the morning. Ready for the evening.
  
• Baking The Orange Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks — Place the marinated drumsticks into a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet. Place them into the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. When done they should be caramelized and glazed. Temperature check with a meat thermometer they should have an internal temperature of between 70 °C-75 °C
  
• Tomato And Avocado Salsa — While the chicken is baking start to make the salad. Cut and remove the seed from the avocado. Remove from the shell and cut into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tomato into a similar size. Place them into a bowl, and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Mix well until combined.
  
• Plating — When the drumsticks are cooked remove them from the oven. Let them rest for 5 minutes. Start by placing the avocado and tomato salad onto the plate. Place the drumsticks onto the plates. Add a grind of black pepper and some chopped scallions. You can serve your orange soy glazed chicken drumsticks with rice.
  

Chef Tips

• Chef Pro Tip — Marinating chicken is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be. A good rule of thumb is to marinate chicken for anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. If you are marinating the chicken in the morning, it will be ready to be cooked in the evening.

COOKING CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

The cooking time for chicken drumsticks in the oven will vary depending on two things.

1. The size and thickness of the drumsticks. The Larger the drumsticks the longer they will take to cook.
2. The temperature of the oven. Generally, it takes about 35 minutes to bake chicken drumsticks at 180°C (356°F), or 160°C (320°F) in a convection oven.

There are three ways you will know when your chicken drumsticks are cooked through.

1. Use A Meat Thermometer — The chicken drumsticks are cooked through when the internal temperature is between 70-75°C (158-167°F). You can insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. Making sure not to touch the bone.
2. Check The Color — The chicken drumsticks should be white throughout, with no pink or red areas. However, some of the meat near the bone may still be pink. Which is okay as long as the internal temperature is between 70-75°C (158-167°F).
3. Check The Juices — When the chicken drumsticks are cooked through, the juices should be clear when you cut into them. If the juices are pink or red, the chicken needs to be cooked longer.

ORANGE SOY GLAZED CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS SUBSTITUTIONS

• Chicken Thighs Or Whole Chicken — If you prefer dark meat or have whole chicken on hand. You can easily substitute chicken thighs or even a whole chicken for drumsticks. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the chicken remains tender and succulent.
• Lemon Or Limes — Oranges bring a distinctive citrusy sweetness. Lemons and limes offer a zesty twist. Use their juice and zest to infuse your dish with a tangy, refreshing flavor. Add a teaspoon of honey to the marinade to counteract the tangy lemon or lime flavors.
• Scallions Or Shallots — Scallions provide a mild, onion-like flavor, while shallots offer a sweeter, more complex taste compared to traditional onions. Experiment with these substitutes to add depth and character to your glaze.
• Oils — When it comes to oils, you have a wide range of options. Swap out rice bran oil for avocado, peanut, or corn oil for a more robust flavor. Or sesame oil for an Asian-inspired twist. Each oil will impart its unique character to your dish.
• Coriander Root — If you don’t have access to bay leaves, coriander root is an option. The coriander root will contribute a delightful hint of citrus and earthiness to your glaze.

Nutrition

Serving>1serve | Calories>513kcal | Carbohydrates>13g | Protein>43g | Fat>32g | Saturated Fat>7g | Polyunsaturated Fat>7g | Monounsaturated Fat>15g | Trans Fat>0.1g | Cholesterol>209mg | Sodium>746mg | Potassium>954mg | Fiber>5g | Sugar>5g | Vitamin A>511IU | Vitamin C>29mg | Calcium>57mg | Iron>2mg

COURSE:

Main Course

CUISINE:

Fusion

KEYWORD:

Chicken Drumsticks

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Chicken Marinade

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Orange Soy Glaze

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