Description
A quick and easy stovetop recipe for sweet, sticky, and crispy honey barbecue chicken legs that comes together in under 30 minutes without needing a grill.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks (skin-on, bone-in)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or avocado oil
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil, heating for about one minute until shimmering.
- Place chicken legs in the pan skin-side down, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden-brown.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side until mostly cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving rendered fat in the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until it thickens slightly.
- Return chicken to the pan skin-side up. Spoon sauce over chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally to coat and caramelize.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not rush the searing process; let the skin release naturally from the pan. Keep heat at medium-low when adding the sauce to prevent the sugar from burning. For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 chicken legs per
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey barbecue chicken, chicken legs, stovetop dinner, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, sticky chicken, weeknight meals