Description
Succulent caramelized baked chicken legs emerge from Mediterranean kitchens with golden-brown perfection and irresistible flavor. Honey and spices create a glossy glaze that seals in juicy tenderness, delivering a simple yet elegant dinner experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) chicken legs or wings
Sauce and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) honey
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1.66 tablespoons (25 milliliters) ketchup
Seasoning and Preparation Ingredients:
- 1.66 tablespoons (25 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center to promote uniform heat distribution.
- Select a spacious baking dish that allows chicken legs or wings to rest in a single, uncrowded layer, promoting even cooking and caramelization.
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the mixture transforms into a glossy, homogeneous sauce.
- Generously cascade the marinade over the chicken, meticulously using a silicone brush to ensure each piece is lavishly coated, allowing excess sauce to pool around the protein.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast uncovered for approximately 45-60 minutes, periodically basting the chicken to enhance moisture and flavor intensity.
- Midway through cooking, carefully redistribute the sauce, rotating the dish to prevent potential burning and promote consistent caramelization.
- Monitor the chicken’s internal temperature, aiming for a safe 165°F, which guarantees thorough cooking while maintaining succulent meat.
- Once achieved, remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and enhance overall tenderness.
- Plate alongside complementary accompaniments such as steamed jasmine rice, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a crisp garden salad, drizzling remaining caramelized sauce for an extra flavor dimension.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in a sweet and savory sauce that creates irresistible caramelized edges and deep, rich flavor.
- Basting technique ensures each piece stays moist while developing a gorgeous golden-brown exterior that locks in juiciness.
- Low and slow baking method transforms simple chicken legs or wings into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.
- Versatile recipe works perfectly with different protein cuts, allowing flexibility for family preferences or pantry ingredients.
- Sauce doubles as a delicious coating and bonus drizzling liquid, maximizing flavor potential in every single bite.
- Internal temperature tracking guarantees safe, perfectly cooked chicken without risking dryness or undercooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg