This Honey Teriyaki Chicken is the kind of family-friendly dinner that brings everyone running to the table. Juicy chicken drumsticks are marinated in a savory Asian-inspired teriyaki sauce, then basted with a sweet, homemade honey teriyaki glaze just before serving. It’s packed with irresistible flavor, easy to make, and a deliciously budget-friendly alternative to takeout.

Easy Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

While we Southerners certainly love our meat and potatoes, keeping the grocery budget in check means I’m always looking for ways to make the most of what’s on sale. Chicken is one of those dependable staples that frequently finds its way into my shopping cart, making it a favorite for budget-friendly family meals.

These Honey Teriyaki Chicken drumsticks are a delicious way to turn an affordable cut of chicken into something everyone will be happy to see on the dinner table. Serve them over fluffy rice, riced cauliflower, or alongside your favorite stir-fry vegetables and savory side dishes for an easy, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

Key ingredients to make baked Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Chicken – Four pounds of skin-on chicken drumsticks.
Teriyaki Marinade – 1 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce.
Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness and caramelizes on the skin of the chicken.
Fresh Garlic – Minced garlic adds earthy notes to the marinade.
Seasonings – One teaspoon ground ginger and one teaspoon of red pepper flakes for spice.
Oil – Sesame oil adds depth of flavor and authenticity. You can use classic or toasted sesame oil.
Honey Teriyaki Sauce (Glaze): One cup teriyaki sauce forms the base of the honey glaze.
Honey – Honey for sweetness.
Sugar – Light brown sugar adds color and caramelization of the chicken.
Onion – Two green onions for a mild onion flavor.
Seasonings – Fresh minced garlic, ground ginger and red pepper flakes.
Sesame Seeds – Toasted sesame seeds for garnishing.

How to Make the Best Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Prep Chicken Pieces – Skin on chicken drumsticks. Place into a shallow dish.
Make Honey Teriyaki Marinade – Whisk together teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, fresh garlic, ground ginger, green onions, sesame oil and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken.
Marinate the Chicken Overnight – Cover chicken with plastic wrap and chill.
Make Honey Teriyaki Sauce – Stir together teriyaki sauce, honey, light brown sugar, green onions, fresh garlic, ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes. This can be done in advance and chilled until you need it for glazing the chicken.
Oven – Bake: Place onto a broiler pan or oven safe grill pan sprayed with cooking spray. Baker per the recipe.
Garnish and Serve – Toasted sesame seeds. You can toast sesame seeds in a non stick skillet over medium heat on the stovetop in seconds. Sprinkle these on top just before serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Honey Teriyaki Chicken

One medium bowl.
Shallow dish or casserole dish.
Balloon whisk.
Knife and cutting board.
Grill pan or a broiler pan. You could also use a rimmed sheet pan covered with heavy duty foil sprayed with cooking spray.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutes

Teriyaki Sauce Substitution – In a pinch, you could use low-sodium soy sauce or light tamari in place of teriyaki sauce. I don’t recommend using dark tamari.
Protein – You could adapt this recipe using boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken wings. Should you choose to make boneless skinless chicken breasts the cooking time will be reduced.
Shortcut Tip – If you’d like to take a shortcut, you could purchase a premade Asian marinade to save time. Since the marinade and glaze feature similar ingredients, if you go with the same flavor profile it will work together.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce – Can I make my own teriyaki sauce? Yes, you can! See my recipe for Homemade Teriyaki Sauce here.
How Do I Make a Honey Glaze Thicker? You can thicken the honey teriyaki sauce using a cornstarch slurry. Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in cold water and stir it into the sauce. Repeat until it thickens to your liking.
Toast Your Own Sesame Seeds – Toasted sesame seeds can usually be found on the spice aisle with the other seasonings. You could make your own if you have sesame seeds on hand. To toast the sesame seeds, simply place them into a non stick skillet over medium heat. Toast in the pan while stirring until lightly golden and fragrant.
Homemade Honey Teriyaki Sauce – If you’d like to make your own, checkout my recipe for homemade teriyaki sauce here using simple ingredients i.e. soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic and rice vinegar (or rice wine vinegar).

Storage and Leftovers

When to Serve Teriyaki Chicken – Serve this chicken for weeknight family dinners, homemade Asian takeout night at home, picnics and entertaining. We love it with a simple side of rice pilaf, steamed broccoli, asparagus, snow peas or mixed veggies.
Leftovers – Store Baked Honey Teriyaki Chicken leftovers in an airtight container chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating – You can enjoy cold or gently reheat for a couple of minutes in an air fryer or microwave the next day.
Freezer – You can freeze this chicken in the marinade prior to cooking for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and cook per the recipe.

Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Honey Teriyaki Chicken

Naturally, when it come to Asian inspired entrees my mind goes to sticky rice, long grain white rice or brown rice. More side dish inspiration:

Panko Parmesan Roasted Sugar Snap Peas.
This Teriyaki Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Peas goes so well with teriyaki chicken, Teriyaki Steak Bites or even roasted Pork Tenderloin.
Asian Slaw made with cabbage for added crunch.
Asian Ramen Noodle Broccoli Slaw is a stellar option.
Low carb Cauliflower Rice.
You could also use more classic side dishes such as Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Potatoes or Crockpot Mac and Cheese.
Honey Garlic Carrots are a stellar option.
Asian Green Beans from The Wholesome Dish.

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