Go Back Email Link
+ servings
sweet chili chicken finished on wire rack

Baked Sweet Chili Drumsticks {Freezer Friendly}

Print Recipe
Baked sweet chili chicken drumsticks are here for the whole family.
This is a teenager pleaser, so make sure you double or triple the recipe and load up your freezer! 
Course Make Ahead Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword Chicken Drumsticks, Sweet Chili Chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 12 drumbsticks
Author Steph

Ingredients

  • 3 tsp olive oil
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce see note if not using low sodium
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chili flakes decrease to 1/2 tsp if you want less spiciness
  • 1 lime juice and zest
  • 3 lbs chicken drumsticks (approx 12)

Instructions

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • In a small sauce pan, heat the oil on medium heat.
  • Once hot, saute the onions until translucent.
  • Just before the onion is cooked, add the garlic. Take care not to burn the garlic. Stir constantly for about one minute - just to get the garlic cooked a bit.
  • Add the remaining ingredients for the sauce (everything except the chicken)
  • Simmer for 3 minutes, and remove from heat and allow to cool. You can put it in the fridge of freezer to cool it faster.

Freezer Meal Prep

  • Label a gallon size freezer bag (or freezer container of choice).
  • Add the chicken to the bag.
  • Once the sauce is cooled, add HALF OF IT it to the bag as well.
  • Put the other half of the sauce in a separate container. I use a small mason jar for this. You could also use a small zip bag.
  • Seal, and store flat in the freezer.

To Cook

  • Allow freezer pack to thaw completely (overnight in the fridge is best).
  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Set up a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper.
  • Add a wire rack on top of the lined cookie sheet.
  • Using tongs, remove the chicken drumsticks one at a time and place on the wire rack. You can add more sauce from the bag to the chicken if you like, but remember you reserved sauce to brush on later.
  • Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Flip, and put back in for another 10-15 minutes.
  • In the last 10 minutes of baking, brush on the reserved sauce.
  • Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispy drumsticks.

Air Fryer Instructions

  • If using an air fryer, follow all the same directions but set to 400°F for 20 minutes.

Notes

If not using low sodium soy sauce, you will want to cut the soy sauce to 1/2 c and top up with 1/4c water or it will be extremely salty.