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Home Collections Quick Dinner Recipes

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce

By:Nagi
Published:20 Feb '17Updated:11 Mar '19
107 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Slathered in the most incredible Chinese Plum Sauce, these Sticky Chicken Drumsticks are absolutely and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re 7 or 70 – and everyone in between! Super simple to make with just a handful of ingredients, plus it doesn’t even need marinating time!

Today’s recipe is brought into this world with many thanks to Fountain Sauces, without whom these gloriously sticky chicken drumsticks with the most incredible Chinese Plum Sauce glaze might not have been discovered and we may have forever been deprived.

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! www.recipetineats.com

Some days, nothing goes right.

I’ll have 3 recipe fails, I’ll be unhappy with all the photos, and a certain giant furry dog will bump the tripod while filming a video, resulting in 5 minutes footage of an empty (dirty) kitchen counter. I’ll stamp my foot (yes I do – go ahead and judge me), flop on the couch, huff and puff with annoyance. Most especially because I know dinner that night will not be enjoyable (because a recipe fail has to be seriously inedible to throw it out or donate it to said giant furry dog).

And other days, everything just works. Such was the day when I went to create a recipe using Fountain Plum Sauce. Usually when I create a recipe from scratch for the first time, I won’t plan to photograph it because I assume the recipe will need tweaking. But the moment I took these sticky, sticky drumsticks out of the oven, they were everything I envisioned them to be.

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! www.recipetineats.com

Fountain-Plum-Sauce

The fragrant smell of plums. Sweet with a touch of tartness. Golden brown and oh-so-sticky. And that moment when you grab one of those sticky chicken drumsticks (knife and fork?? What’s that?) and you bite into the tender juicy chicken flesh and get that glaze all over your mouth face…

Now THAT is the kind of food I’m all about!!!

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! www.recipetineats.com

So what did I do? Well, this will come as no surprise to regular readers and my friends who know me so well…. in my excitement (and not wanting to lose my mojo), I dashed out to the store, purchased more drumsticks and made it again. Just to make sure – and to take photos.

Yup, just as good as Batch #1.

Any guesses what I did next? Yup, another mad store dash. Batch #3, coming right up. Triple testing and for the recipe video.

Oh boy. The homeless guy at the dog park had this 3 days in a row. As did I. No complaints from either party. Or Dozer. – Nagi xx


More chicken drumstick recipes

  • Honey Mustard Drumsticks

  • 5 Ingredient Sticky Stovetop Balsamic Drumsticks

  • Jamaican Jerk Drumsticks

  • Greek Chicken – ideal made with drumsticks instead of thighs

  • Baked Chicken and Rice – make this with drumsticks instead of bone in thighs!

Serve these on the side!

  • Fried Rice, Coconut Rice or Coconut Lime Rice

  • Steamed Jasmine rice or Coconut Rice

  • Crunchy Asian Slaw on the side – great all rounder Asian salad that goes with all Asian foods

  • Asian Sesame Dressing for any fresh salad or steamed vegetables

  • Asian Mushroom Ramen Noodles – another great all rounder!

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! www.recipetineats.com

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Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! recipetineats.com

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 55 mins
Dinner
Asian-esque
4.98 from 34 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
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A fantastic one for midweek and a crowd pleaser! These sticky chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven until tender, and basted with an incredible Chinese plum sauce which is sweet with a touch of tang and the beautiful fragrance of plum. See notes for skipping the marinating time!

Ingredients

  • 1.2kg / 2.4lb large chicken drumsticks (8 drumsticks)

Plum Marinade / Glaze

  • 3/4 cup / 185ml Fountain Plum Sauce (Note 1)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (can reduce to 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark soy sauce)
  • 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp ginger, minced
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder (Note 2)

Garnish (optional)

  • Sesame seeds
  • Finely chopped scallions

Instructions

  • Place Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag (or bowl) and mix. Add chicken and massage to coat in the Marinade. Refrigerate for 1 hour (see Note 3 for skipping this).
  • Preheat oven to 180C/350F (all types).
  • Line a tray with baking paper / parchment paper (or foil then spray with oil).
  • Transfer chicken to tray, shaking off excess marinade. RESERVE Marinade.

Baking & Basting (Total bake time: 50 min)

  • Bake chicken for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from oven. Spoon / slather / brush with reserve marinade (generously!) (Note 4). Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and TURN chicken. Baste again using tray juices and reserved marinade. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and baste again (very generously!) using tray juices and reserved marinade. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove chicken from oven and scrape/brush tray juices onto chicken (don't waste free flavour!).
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and shallots/scallions if using. I served it with rice and steamed broccolini.

Recipe Notes:

1. I created this recipe especially for Fountain Plum Sauce which is sold at all major supermarkets in Australia (Woolies, Coles) for the bargain price of around $2.50. If you are in Australia, I urge you to use Fountain Plum Sauce because I can confidently guarantee that you will be in sticky Plum Sauce heaven and what you taste is how it is supposed to be. However, if you are unable to find it, then it can be substituted with other Plum Sauces.
2. Chinese Five Spice Powder is a mix of (5!) spices that can be found at supermarkets in the spice section. It costs the same as other standard spices. It's fabulous!
3. In all honesty, the glaze is so tasty that if you slather it on generously at the end when it has finished cooking using the tray juices, you can skip the marinating.
The alternative to infuse flavour into the flesh is to cut 2 shallow gashes on each side of each drumstick (i.e. 4 in total) then add to the marinade. Then proceed with the recipe. Make sure you baste well!
4. If using a brush, kind of DAB the marinade on, not brush it, that way you get more on the chicken. If using a spoon, spoon it down the centre of the drumstick then use the back of the spoon to spread it on the sides. Don't forget to use all those tray juices around and under the chicken - they are the BEST!
 
5. Make ahead /freezing: To prepare ahead, pop the marinade + chicken in a ziplock bag and freeze straightaway. Then as it thaws in the fridge, the chicken will marinate. The marinade will be more watery (from ice + salt extracting liquid from chicken due to longer time in marinade) so just be very generous with the basting so you end up with that nice sticky finish. 
Though I haven't tried it, I am sure the cooked drumsticks will be great for freezing and reheating because drumsticks are a juicy cut. Scrape any remaining juices on the tray into the container/bag with the chicken then freeze. To reheat, thaw then microwave. 
6. Nutrition per serving, 2 drumsticks per serving. The calories are higher than it should be because it doesn't take into account any of the chicken fat that is rendered out during baking.
Baked Drumsticks Chinese Plum Sauce nutrition

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 320gCalories: 568cal (28%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

 WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce recipe video!


LIFE OF DOZER

Did someone say STICKY CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS????

Dozer_-(33)

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce - Just a handful of ingredients, 5 minutes prep and awesome stickiness! www.recipetineats.com

Today’s recipe is brought into this world with many thanks to Fountain Sauces, makers of the Fountain Plum Sauce which is the key ingredient in the gorgeous sticky Chinese Plum Sauce glaze!

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107 Comments

  1. Trish bee says

    December 10, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    5 stars
    Made this with chicken wings it was amazing 🤩 definitely cooking this again 👍

    Reply
  2. Robyn says

    August 30, 2022 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars
    I had these with your recipe for fried rice thank you Nagi delicious

    Reply
  3. Christine says

    June 8, 2022 at 9:55 am

    5 stars
    These tasted as good as yours look Nagi but I never seem to get the sticky sauce thick and gooey like yours. It does thicken a little as it cools but I dont want to serve them cold! Any tips?

    Reply
  4. Jade says

    October 2, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    5 stars
    My local shop had everything but the Fountain plum sauce as well ☺️ So I used Ayam brand and it was still wonderful – sooo tasty Nagi!!! Will try this with chicken wings next for all the stickiness!!!

    Reply
  5. Heather says

    June 18, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    So yummy! Made this last night as per the recipe and it looked just like your pic Nagi, minus the sesame seeds as I didn’t have any. Will definitely be making again. And how delish is the plum sauce?? Have never used it before but will do again for sure.
    Made the coconut lime rice and it was the perfect side – lime juice gave it a lovely zing. Thanks Nagi!

    Reply
  6. Rachel says

    February 22, 2021 at 7:13 pm

    Would you believe that my local Coles had Fountain sauce brand in about 19 other flavours…but not plum!! I had to buy Masterfoods. Hope it works x

    Reply
  7. Nick P says

    December 31, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi,

    We love your recipes and use them as a our goto for guaranteed everyday culinary delights!

    Just a little concern with using the reserved marinade that has been in contact with the raw chicken to reglaze the baked chicken.

    Isn’t this a contamination risk due to the chicken already having been cooked? Is the extra 10 minutes of baking enough to deem it safe for consumption? Thanks and cheers!

    Reply
  8. Queenie says

    September 15, 2020 at 7:47 pm

    My 10 yo: “Mummy, we got to have more of these again!!! 😋 “Can I have this for lunch tomorrow?” 😂 Winner! Thanks Nagi!

    Reply
  9. Crystal McDermott says

    September 10, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    Plum sause.not so easy to find in Texas…ordered it online lol. These drumsticks were delish!!. Both my husband and I ate and then we could have licked the plate the pan and our fingers 🙂. I am really enjoying many of your recipes. I’m a newbie to this kind of cooking and loving all the new flavors and textures. Thank you for the best recipes and explanations they are super helpful and well written. Can’t wait to try a different dish every week !

    Reply
  10. Rob says

    September 2, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    Hi Nagi,
    Can this recipe be done with chicken thighs. Would it be less cooking time for them?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 2, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      Hi Rob – you sure can! Just use the method for cooking listed in this recipe: https://www.recipetineats.com/sticky-baked-chicken-thighs/ N x

      Reply
  11. Rakel says

    August 26, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    5 stars
    Slurp, made them last night and they were super yummi and sticky, will defo keep this recepi as I think the marinade will be nice with pork too, thanks again Nagi for sharing your recepis 🙂 x

    Reply
  12. Kim says

    August 24, 2020 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    Wow my whole family loved these drumsticks. I have the fussiest teen who I struggle with daily to feed and he loved them. Lifesaver!!

    Reply
  13. Diana says

    July 18, 2020 at 10:56 am

    5 stars
    We literally made this yesterday with drumsticks and loved it so much that we’re making it today with pork ribs! A really lovely recipe that is just so easy!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 18, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      I’m so glad you love it Diana, it will be amazing on pork too! N x

      Reply
      • Diana says

        July 18, 2020 at 7:24 pm

        5 stars
        You were right – the ribs were incredible! Thanks for yet another consistently accurate recipe. 🙂

        Reply
  14. Catherine Goodwin says

    June 20, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    Hi Nagi
    I’m about to make lamb shanks with plum sauce and I cant find a decent recipe. Would this work do you think for a 2-3 hour cook and still yield a slightly tacky stickiness?

    Reply
  15. Rich says

    April 7, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    5 stars
    Love it! We used homemade plum sauce and added ground schezuan peppercorns and dried large red chilli for spice. Love your recipes Nagi! You’re my goto site for cooking ideas.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 8, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      Sounds delicious Rich!!! I love a bit of spice! N x

      Reply
  16. Karleen says

    March 9, 2020 at 10:01 am

    Hi Nagi
    Fabulous recipes and a gorgeous dog!
    I made this recipe using pork spare ribs and subbed in my homemade plum sauce. Amazing! Next time I will reduce the brown sugar tho as it was a tad too sweet for me but the others had no complaints 😉
    Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 9, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Karleen – I can’t comment on the sweetness if you changed an ingredient but if you’re using homemade plum sauce, just adjust the sugar to taste 🙂 N x

      Reply
  17. RITA RODRIGUES says

    March 3, 2020 at 2:40 am

    dear Nagi, thank you so so much for sharing your delish recipes with us,, you are so blessed with amazing talent, love your sweet warm smile, im sure you are this way from withing. God bless you

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 3, 2020 at 4:57 pm

      Oh that you so much Rita, that’s lovely to hear ❤️ N x

      Reply
  18. Robert John Ray says

    January 27, 2020 at 11:08 am

    I do not have any drumsticks but I have chicken wings what modifications would I have to make to cook this recipe with the wings
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 28, 2020 at 7:16 am

      Hi Robert, wings take about 45-50 minutes to bake, I’d cook the same way just baste a few times while in the oven 🙂

      Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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