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Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks don’t get easier than this. Juicy, tender, and coated in a sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, these drumsticks are ready in no time with almost zero effort.
The secret? A quick mix of barbecue sauce and soy sauce, basically a shortcut to teriyaki without the extra steps. This soy barbecue chicken recipe uses only three ingredients, yet it packs in so much flavor you’d swear the sauce had a whole spice cabinet in it. No marinating, no fuss, just pure sticky, savory, finger-licking goodness.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
Most Barbecue Chicken recipes call for marinating, simmering, or a long list of ingredients just to get that sticky, flavorful glaze. This one skips all the fuss without sacrificing taste. With just three pantry staples, you get the kind of sweet, smoky, and savory flavor that usually takes hours to build — and it bakes right onto the drumsticks for a juicy, caramelized finish.
The twist comes from the soy sauce. By mixing it with barbecue sauce, you get an instant hit of depth and umami that makes this soy barbecue chicken taste richer than your typical version. It’s a quick shortcut that gives you all the bold flavor of a homemade marinade without the work, making this recipe both easy and seriously delicious.
What Goes Into Barbecue Chicken?
This Barbecue Chicken recipe keeps things wonderfully simple with just a few pantry staples. Each one plays a big role in building that sticky, savory-sweet glaze you’ll want to lick off your fingers.
- Chicken Drumsticks: Juicy and tender, drumsticks are perfect for holding onto all that rich barbecue soy glaze.
- Barbecue Sauce: The base of the recipe, giving you smoky-sweet flavor and that irresistible caramelized finish.
- Soy Sauce: Adds salty depth and umami, turning this into a richer soy barbecue chicken than your usual version.
- Garlic: Fresh or powdered, it brings a punch of flavor that balances the sweetness and makes the sauce shine.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Barbecue Chicken
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 430°F (220°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prepare for the drumsticks.
- Prepare Chicken: Arrange chicken in dish, then add barbecue sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Drizzle sesame oil if using.
- Coat Evenly: Rub the sauces into the chicken until every piece is well coated, then season with salt to taste for balance.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through.
- Broil Until Golden: Switch the oven to broil on medium heat, uncover the chicken, and broil until the tops are golden brown.
- Flip and Finish: Turn the drumsticks and broil the other side until browned, then serve hot with rice, potatoes, or vegetables.
For a cozy pairing, serve this juicy Barbecue Chicken with a bowl of Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, which adds a velvety and tangy balance to the smoky-sweet glaze. On the side, add Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats, a lighter yet comforting dish layered with cheesy, tomato goodness. To finish the spread, serve Crispy Garlic Butter Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, a golden, crunchy side that pairs beautifully with the sticky glaze of the chicken.
Recipe FAQ’s
No marinating is needed. The sauce bakes right onto the chicken, giving you sticky, flavorful results without waiting.
A classic smoky-sweet barbecue sauce is perfect. You can also use spicy or honey barbecue sauce depending on your taste.
Definitely. Add a little chili paste, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce for a spicy kick.
3 Ingredient Barbecue Soy Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks skin on or off, rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towel
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced, or garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or any white vinegar – optional to cut through some of the sweetness
- 1 drizzle sesame oil about 1-2 teaspoons, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 430°F | 220°C.
- Arrange drumsticks into a baking dish. Pour in the sauces and vinegar and add the garlic. As an option, add a drizzle of sesame oil and vinegar, and rub the sauces into the chicken until evenly coated. Season with salt to taste (about 1/2-1 teaspoon).
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until just cooked through.
- Change oven settings to broil/grill on medium heat. Uncover and allow chicken to broil until golden browned. Flip drumsticks and allow to brown on the other side.
- Serve over rice, with mashed potatoes, noodles or steamed vegetables!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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How would chicken thighs (bone-in w/skin) work well with this recipe? Would it change the cook time?
You could definitely use thighs with skin on, just make sure to slice one in half and check how well it is cooked through at the 25 minute mark, and if they’re still pink inside continue to cook covered to stop them from drying out, until just cooked through. hope this helps!