Caramelized Baked Chicken Legs or Wings
This easy, hands-off recipe delivers sticky, sweet-and-savory chicken with a gorgeous caramelized glaze from honey, soy sauce, and ketchup. Perfect for dinner or party appetizers—the sauce thickens and caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds chicken legs or wings (or a mix)
- 1⅔ tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1⅔ tablespoons ketchup
- ¾ cup honey
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 4
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, turning the pieces if needed to coat them lightly.
- Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, basting occasionally with the sauce if desired, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/75°C) and the sauce has thickened and caramelized to a glossy, sticky glaze.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving—the sauce will continue to set as it cools.
Tips & Variations
- The olive oil helps prevent sticking, but you can line the dish with foil for even easier cleanup.
- For crispier skin, broil for the last 2–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- This recipe also works great with pork ribs—just adjust cooking time as needed.
- Leftovers reheat well and make fantastic next-day sandwiches or salads.
Enjoy the irresistible sweet-salty caramelized flavor!
