Flavorful Korean Gochujang Chicken Drumsticks Easy Spicy Sweet Recipe
These Korean gochujang chicken drumsticks feature a sticky, spicy-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully for crispy skin and juicy meat. Perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), skin on
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or neutral oil
- 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- Optional garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
- Season the drumsticks generously with salt and black pepper, then toss lightly in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Arrange the drumsticks on a rimmed baking sheet. If available, place them on a cooling rack set over the sheet for even crisping.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons gochujang, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth and shiny.
- Bake the chicken for 25 minutes to cook through and start crisping the skin.
- Remove the drumsticks from the oven and brush a generous layer of the spicy-sweet glaze all over each piece.
- Return the drumsticks to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, basting once more halfway through if desired.
- Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and that the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and glaze to set.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Use high oven heat (425°F) for caramelized glaze. Brush glaze in stages to build flavor and avoid burning. Tent with foil if glaze browns too fast. A quick broil at the end can add extra crispiness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Can also be grilled for smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 drumsticks p
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Korean chicken, gochujang chicken, spicy chicken drumsticks, sweet and spicy glaze, easy chicken recipe, Korean cuisine, weeknight dinner