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My 6-ingredient chicken drumstick marinade imparts sweet umami flavor and yields tender, succulent chicken drumsticks every time!
Need more foolproof marinades? Try my pork tenderloin marinade, 4-ingredient chicken marinade, and fajita marinade next.
Chicken drumsticks are one of my favorite cuts of chicken because they’re naturally tender and juicy. When I want to impart the most flavor possible, I whip up a quick marinade.
By using a marinade, we can impart extra layers of flavor. It also prevents the meat from drying out and turning tough or chewy. Instead, you’re left with succulent, fall-apart meat that’s layered with flavor.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- All pantry staples. In fact, you more than likely already have them in your kitchen.
- Versatile. Don’t let the soy sauce fool you; you don’t HAVE to pair the drumsticks with other Asian dishes (though you certainly could). These drumsticks will pair just as well with my smoked mac and cheese or stuffed potatoes.
- They don’t need extended marinating. I’ve had luck marinating the chicken anywhere from 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
- Works with fresh or frozen drumsticks. You don’t even have to thaw them first.
Ingredients needed
- Extra virgin olive oil. Fat is essential in any marinade as it helps to deepen the flavor and moisten the chicken.
- Soy sauce. For an umami flavor that enhances the natural meatiness of dark meat. Feel free to use low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari.
- Worcestershire sauce. For sweet, savory, and tangy flavor.
- Honey. For subtle sweetness and to caramelize the skin during the cooking process.
- Garlic cloves. I always prefer freshly minced garlic if possible, though I have used garlic powder in a pinch.
- Salt and pepper. Just a pinch to taste.
How to make chicken drumstick marinade
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Whisk. Combine all marinade ingredients.
Step 2- Marinade. Pour the marinade into a bowl or resealable plastic bag, add the drumsticks, and marinade for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use different cuts of meat. This is a very versatile marinade, and I’ve used it on everything from chicken breasts to pork loin, so feel free to experiment.
- Or use it with vegetables. Drizzle it over roasted veggies or use it as a salad dressing.
- Make it ahead of time. Store it in a sealed jar for up to 3 days beforehand.
- Discard the marinade when you’re done. Any leftover marinade can NOT be used again as it can lead to foodborne illness (source).
Variations
- Indian flavor. Add one teaspoon each of turmeric, coriander, chili powder, and ½ cup of Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
- Add acid. I find soy sauce plenty acidic, but a little lemon juice or lime juice can really brighten the flavor. If you go this route, add some lemon zest, too.
- Give it some heat. Add a few dashes of hot sauce or ½ teaspoon of chili powder.
Storage instructions
To store: Store unused marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Any used marinade needs to be discarded.
To freeze: Leftover marinade can be stored in a shallow container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Frequently asked questions
You can marinate chicken legs for a minimum of 15-20 minutes or up to 24 hours. Try not to let them soak for any longer, or else the fibers in the meat will begin to break down and become mushy.
Grilling chicken legs over medium-high heat is one of my favorite methods! If you don’t have a grill, bake the legs in the oven at 425F or cook them in a 400F air fryer.
More ways to use this marinade
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Baked chicken breast
- Grilled chicken tenders
- Chicken lollipops
- Or any of these chicken recipes
Chicken Drumstick Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper, until combined.
- Either add the marinade to a bowl and mix with the chicken drumsticks or add it to a ziplock bag and add the chicken to it. Marinade both for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published April 2023, updated and republished November 2024
You have so many differents marinades for chicken recipes. I like that and always look for something new. Life is too short to eat basic haha.
Excellent
Amazing! I never knew how to make marinade. Now I know!
This was a delicious, easy marinade, that left nice flavor on our oven baked chicken! Very neutral, veratile flavor. My little kids loved it!
So simple and easy, but the results were spectacular. In fact, my first batch was so delicious, I doubled the quantities and took the drumsticks to a large lunch party where everyone gave positive feedback. Some even asked for the recipe – and that’s a great compliment to you, Arman.
Thanks so much, Stephen!
How long should I cook for?
My drumsticks turned out super juicy. Thank you !
AMAZINGLY YUMMY. Highly Recommend following this Chef😉♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️
I made this with chicken drumsticks tonight. I added a little more honey to it than it called for, plus some crushed red pepper flakes. The family loved it.