Savory Braised Chicken Drumsticks with Soy Sauce
Savory Braised Chicken Drumsticks with Soy Sauce
A Delicious Soy-Braised Chicken Drumstick Recipe, Perfectly Balanced with Chili Oil for a Lightly Spicy Kick
Nowadays, it’s incredibly convenient to find chicken sold in specific cuts. While I still use a whole chicken for rich broths that require long simmering with bones, for simpler dishes like oven roasts or braises, I often opt for pre-portioned chicken drumsticks or wings. It’s much easier, and who doesn’t love having their favorite parts? Today, I’m excited to share a recipe for simple soy-braised chicken drumsticks. We’ll be using chili oil to cut through any richness and add a subtle spicy note, making it a truly delicious dish. I highly recommend this for your dinner table tonight! Shall we get started together?
Ingredients for One Serving- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 bunch scallions (for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Soy Braising Sauce Ingredients- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 10 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 10 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the garnish by washing and finely chopping the scallions.
Step 2
Make several shallow cuts into each chicken drumstick with a knife. This helps the sauce penetrate better and ensures the chicken cooks evenly and absorbs all the delicious flavors.
Step 3
Next, let’s make the braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 10 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of corn syrup, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk everything together until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
Step 4
Heat a wide, flat-bottomed pan over high heat for about 3 minutes until it’s quite hot. Add 1 tablespoon of chili oil and swirl it around. Sautéing the chili oil briefly releases its fragrant aroma, which is key to cutting through any richness and making the dish taste exceptionally clean and savory.
Step 5
Carefully place the scored chicken drumsticks into the hot pan. Sear them over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are nicely browned on all sides. Browning the chicken first helps to seal in the juices, ensuring a tender and moist result.
Step 6
Once the drumsticks are browned, pour all of the prepared soy braising sauce into the pan. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer between medium and high. Let the sauce reduce and thicken, coating the chicken. If you are cooking a smaller batch, it’s advisable to keep the heat closer to medium to prevent the sauce from burning too quickly.
Step 7
After the sauce comes to a gentle boil, cover the pan with a lid and let the drumsticks braise for about 30 minutes. It’s important to turn the drumsticks once or twice during this time to ensure they cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. This also helps the sauce to coat them uniformly.
Step 8
After 30 minutes, check if the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened nicely. You can taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with a little more soy sauce or sugar if needed, according to your preference. Once the chicken is well-coated and the sauce is glossy, your dish is ready! Garnish generously with the chopped scallions and sesame seeds. This results in a delightful plate of soy-braised chicken drumsticks! The tender chicken meat is perfectly infused with the savory soy glaze, making it an excellent side dish or a delightful appetizer. The chili oil adds a subtle, intriguing spiciness that prevents the dish from feeling heavy. This easy and delicious soy-braised chicken drumstick recipe is a fantastic option for your next dinner. Enjoy your meal! 🙂
