Sticky Chinese Plum Sauce Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Introduction

These sticky chicken drumsticks coated in a luscious Chinese plum sauce are a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Ideal for a family dinner, they come out tender with a glossy, sticky finish that’s sure to impress. Ready to bake and enjoy, this dish is both flavorful and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1.2kg / 2.4lb large chicken drumsticks (8 drumsticks)
• 3/4 cup / 185ml Fountain Plum Sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (can reduce to 1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp ginger, minced
• 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
• Sesame seeds
• Finely chopped scallions

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the plum sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and Chinese five spice powder into a ziplock bag or a bowl. Mix well to combine.
2. Step 2: Add the chicken drumsticks to the marinade. Massage the marinade into the chicken to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors develop. (You can skip this step if short on time.)
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) on a conventional setting or equivalent.
4. Step 4: Line a baking tray with parchment paper or foil sprayed lightly with oil for easy cleanup.
5. Step 5: Transfer the chicken to the prepared tray, shaking off excess marinade. Reserve the remaining marinade for basting.
6. Step 6: Bake the chicken for 20 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the tray from the oven and generously baste the drumsticks with the reserved marinade. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
8. Step 8: Turn the chicken over. Baste again using the tray juices and reserved marinade. Bake for 10 more minutes.
9. Step 9: Baste once more very generously, combining tray juices and marinade. Bake for a final 10 minutes.
10. Step 10: Remove the chicken and brush any remaining tray juices over the drumsticks to maximize flavor.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions. Serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice and broccolini or your favorite greens.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight instead of just one hour.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup or adjust plum sauce quantity.
• Swap out scallions for chopped fresh coriander for a different fresh finish.
• Use boneless chicken thighs instead of drumsticks for a quicker cooking option.

Storage

Store any leftover sticky chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The sauce can thicken upon cooling, so add a splash of water or soy sauce when reheating to loosen it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I skip marinating the chicken?

Yes, you can bake the drumsticks without marinating, but allowing the chicken to sit in the marinade for at least an hour helps develop deeper, more balanced flavors.

What can I use if I don’t have Fountain Plum Sauce?

You can substitute with any good quality Chinese plum sauce or a mix of apricot preserves blended with soy sauce and a splash of rice vinegar for a similar sweet and tangy taste.

Sticky Chinese Plum Sauce Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 126 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken drumsticks baked to perfection in a sticky, flavorful Chinese plum sauce. This recipe combines the sweetness of plum sauce and brown sugar with the savory depth of soy and hoisin sauces, accented by garlic, ginger, and Chinese five spice. Perfectly caramelized and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions, these drumsticks make a delectable main dish served best with steamed rice and greens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 1.2kg / 2.4lb large chicken drumsticks (8 drumsticks)
• 3/4 cup / 185ml Fountain Plum Sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (can reduce to 1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp ginger, minced
• 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder

Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Finely chopped scallions

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Marinade and Marinate Chicken: Place the plum sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and Chinese five spice powder into a ziplock bag or bowl. Mix well to combine. Add the chicken drumsticks and massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even coating. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to penetrate the chicken. (Alternatively, you can skip the marination step if short on time.)
2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F), suitable for all oven types.
3. Prepare the Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with baking paper or parchment. If using foil, spray it lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
4. Transfer Chicken to Tray: Remove the drumsticks from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place them on the lined tray. Reserve the leftover marinade for basting later.
5. Bake the Chicken – First Stage: Bake the chicken drumsticks for 20 minutes in the preheated oven to start cooking the meat through and develop initial caramelization.
6. Baste and Bake – Second Stage: Remove chicken from the oven. Generously spoon or brush the reserved marinade over the drumsticks to build up the sticky plum glaze. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
7. Turn and Baste Again – Third Stage: Take the chicken out and turn each drumstick over for even cooking and glazing. Baste again with the combined tray juices and reserved marinade to maximize flavor and moisture. Bake for an additional 10 minutes.
8. Final Baste and Bake – Fourth Stage: Remove chicken once more and baste very generously using all the tray juices and remaining marinade. Bake for a final 10 minutes to achieve a beautifully sticky finish.
9. Serve and Garnish: After baking, take the chicken out and use a brush or spoon to scrape the flavorful tray juices over the drumsticks for extra moisture and shine. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions before serving. These drumsticks pair excellently with steamed rice and broccolini.

Notes

• Note 1: Using Fountain Plum Sauce gives an authentic sweet-tart flavor characteristic of Chinese plum sauces.
• Note 2: Chinese Five Spice Powder adds warm, aromatic notes that deepen the overall flavor profile.
• Note 3: Marinating for 1 hour boosts flavor but can be skipped if pressed for time; the chicken will still taste delicious.
• Note 4: Basting multiple times with reserved marinade and tray juices enhances the glaze’s stickiness and richness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Keywords: Sticky Chicken Drumsticks, Chinese Plum Sauce Chicken, Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Chinese Five Spice Chicken, Hoisin Sauce Chicken