Baked Drumsticks Apple-Honey Sauce

I found drumsticks on sale and I decided that it was time to break in my grandmothers baked chicken recipe. But I thought I would spice it up with this delicious apple honey sauce. Oh my word it was so amazingly delicious. Christian gobbled up two of them. Haha when a 5 year old says that you are an awesome cooker you gotta feel a sense of pride.

 

 

 

Baked Drumsticks Apple-Honey Sauce

Ingredients

• 12 skin-on chicken drumsticks 
• 3 Tbsp flour
• salt & pepper to taste
• seasoned salt
• Parmesan *if desired
• 2 cups apple juice
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Put flour and seasonings in pan and roll drumsticks in flour mixture. Put the drumsticks on the rack. Bake 30 minutes; flip the drumsticks and continue baking until golden and crisp, about 30 more minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Bring the apple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt to a boil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I added a Tbsp flour to the mix to thicken a little. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside until the chicken is done.

Stir the sesame seeds into the sauce and warm over medium heat, if necessary. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Add the sauce and butter and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken to a platter and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the bowl.