Description
Classic caramelized baked chicken legs merge sweet and savory flavors for an irresistible meal. Golden-brown poultry with rich maple glaze delivers maximum comfort when served alongside roasted vegetables you’ll want to savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) chicken legs or wings
- ¾ cup (180 ml) honey
- ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
- 1.66 tbsps (25 ml) ketchup
- 1.66 tbsps (25 ml) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F for optimal heat circulation.
- Pan Selection: Choose a wide baking dish allowing chicken legs or wings to rest in a single, uncrowded layer to facilitate even caramelization.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk olive oil, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a glossy, unified sauce that will infuse profound flavor throughout the protein.
- Coating Process: Thoroughly brush chicken pieces with marinade, ensuring comprehensive coverage and allowing excess sauce to collect around the meat, which will contribute to rich caramelization.
- Roasting Technique: Bake uncovered for 45-60 minutes, intermittently basting to intensify moisture and develop deep, complex flavor profiles while preventing potential scorching.
- Cooking Progression: Halfway through roasting, redistribute sauce by gently rotating the dish, guaranteeing consistent browning and preventing any areas from burning.
- Temperature Verification: Confirm chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring complete cooking while preserving tender, juicy meat texture.
- Resting Phase: Allow chicken to rest 5-7 minutes post-cooking, permitting natural juices to redistribute and enhance overall meat succulence.
- Serving Suggestion: Present alongside jasmine rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad, drizzling remaining caramelized sauce to amplify the dish’s flavor complexity.
Notes
- Choosing the Right Dish: Select a baking dish that allows chicken to spread out in a single layer, ensuring crispy, evenly caramelized edges without overcrowding.
- Marinade Magic: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, uniform sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken, maximizing flavor absorption and caramelization.
- Basting Technique: Regularly redistribute sauce during cooking to prevent burning and guarantee a glossy, rich caramelized coating that locks in moisture.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing both safety and juicy, tender meat every time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 456
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg