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Home Collections Quick Dinner Recipes

Sticky Chicken Drumsticks in Chinese Plum Sauce

By:Nagi
Published:20 Feb '17Updated:10 May '23
111 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 38 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 @recipe_tin.

 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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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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111 Comments

  1. Wei @ Red House Spice says

    March 3, 2017 at 5:16 am

    5 stars
    Hi, Nagi! Bought plum sauce (my long lost friend) and cooked drumsticks! Delicious!!!! Then I made stir-fried aubergine with the rest of the plum sauce and just published the recipe on my blog. May I say it’s (almost) as delicious as your drumsticks? 🙂 Thank you again for reminding me of this lovely condiment.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 3, 2017 at 8:05 am

      OMG your stir fry sounds delish! I’m popping over to grab it! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  2. Lyn says

    March 2, 2017 at 1:29 am

    5 stars
    Made this last night with store bought plum sauce. I loved it….easy and delicious…A winning combination! Thanks

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 2, 2017 at 10:38 am

      *Jumping up and down* WHOOT WHOOT!! I am so glad you enjoyed it Lyn, always means a lot to hear when someone enjoys a “from scratch” creation 🙂 Thank you for try it and letting me know you enjoyed it! N xx

      Reply
  3. Peter Hailes says

    February 25, 2017 at 9:46 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night for 4 adults. Fountain plum sauce not available so substituted SPC (All Australian)
    14 large drumsticks, steamed rice tossed through with corn kernels and shallots and stir fried oyster choy sum.
    My daughter in law (a very competent cook) announced it to be absolutely delicious. My 2 year old grandson kept on saying “more”.
    There were no leftovers, which pretty much says it all.
    An inspired recipe Nagi. Simple but elegant.
    Love your blog and have made many recipes from it.
    Cheers
    Peter

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 25, 2017 at 10:00 am

      Ohhhhhh!!! Feedback from a 2 yo is the BEST test ever for a recipe like this!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share your feedback Peter! N xx

      Reply
  4. Marlene says

    February 23, 2017 at 10:33 am

    5 stars
    Yum, Nagi! I made these last night. Of course I couldn’t get your brand of plum sauce, so I don’t know how close to yours mine were. I used to be able to get plum sauce at the grocery store but haven’t seen it recently. However, I had plums in the freezer so found a recipe via Pinterest and made my own. To cut the sweetness I spiced it up with some lovely gochugang, which added a wonderful note. My concerns that Mr. Fussy would think the drumsticks were too sweet were unfounded; we both licked our plates! I loved the ease of making this, along with the minimal clean-up.(And look at Dozer go!)

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 24, 2017 at 6:36 am

      YUM!!!! Homemade plum sauce, I’m super jealous Marlene!! N xx

      Reply
  5. Tania says

    February 22, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness!!!!!
    Those chicken legs were sooooooooo freakin yummy!!!!!!
    Finger licking good (literally licking our fingers)
    Yum yum yum

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 24, 2017 at 6:09 am

      Whoot whoot! So glad to hear that Tania! N xx

      Reply
  6. Ruby & Cake says

    February 21, 2017 at 11:07 pm

    Hi Nagi you must have read my mind – I just harvested our plum tree and made a batch of chilli plum sauce and couldn’t work out what I wanted to use it for. This recipe has settled it for me! They loo incredible

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 22, 2017 at 8:52 pm

      PS You blog is beautiful, just browsing it now! 🙂 N x

      Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 22, 2017 at 8:50 pm

      HOMEMADE plum sauce?? Ok. Bit green with envy. 😉 N xx

      Reply
  7. Kate says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I did not know until now that Dozer could walk (run!) on water.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 7:02 pm

      It’s like those people who can walk over hot coals – when he smells food, he goes into a trance and can do incredible things. Like…. make an entire wheel of French brie disappear from the coffee table. BA HA HA!!!! 😉 N xx

      Reply
  8. Deeta says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    5 stars
    Made it exactly as written, loved it, my family and I thank you! So simple and yet something I never could have created without you. Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Oooh! That was FAST! I love it when readers try recipes so quickly after publishing them!!! I’m super happy to hear you enjoyed this Deeta, I was really pleased with how the recipe came out. Thank you for taking the time to let me know! N xx

      Reply
  9. Yeelum says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi, there is a high chance these will be eaten up for dinner + leftovers for lunch but just in case it isn’t – is this a dish you would recommend freezing for a lazy mid week dinner?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:53 pm

      Ba ha ha!!! Love the attitude!! The cooked chicken will freeze quite well because drumsticks are quite fatty 🙂 Scrape off any juices on the tray into the bag or container then you can even microwave it to reheat. Or you could freeze the raw drumsticks in the marinade then as it defrosts it will marinate the chicken 🙂 I will add that tip into the recipe notes! N xx

      Reply
  10. Vera says

    February 21, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    Nagi, am SORRY YOU HAD BAD DAY. Did Not know weather to cry Or laugh,SORRY. YOU WORKED SO HARD, GOOD OR BAD BATCH ILL EATED, PROMIS. BUT SOMETHING GOOD CAME OUT OF IT, HOMLESS PERSON WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE YOU. THAT WAS NICE OF YOU. WISH I WAS NEAR TO GIVE YOU A BIG, BIG HUG.NOW PLEASE RELAX, YOU DESERVE IT. TRUE, REALY LOVE THIS STUFF. YOUR EFFERT IS MUCH APPRICIATED. REGARDS, VERA. THANK YOU .

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:51 pm

      Laugh! I always laugh it off when things don’t go to plan, being grumpy is a waste of energy and time! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  11. Jacquelyn says

    February 21, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    Hello Nagi,
    Which wing recipe is your absolute favorite? I’ve recently stumbled upon your blog! Your food looks amazing and I can’t wait to try a few different recipes I have my eye on!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:49 pm

      Hi Jacquelyn! I have two favourites – Chinese Wings which is a family recipe and Buffalo Wings 🙂 https://www.recipetineats.com/sticky-chinese-chicken-wings/ https://www.recipetineats.com/truly-crispy-oven-baked-buffalo-wings-my-wings-cookbook/ Personally I think the plain wings are SO GOOD as they are but honestly, I can’t get past slathering them with the buttery hot sauce…. 🙂 N x

      Reply
  12. Meg says

    February 21, 2017 at 9:45 am

    I have 3 rugby playing teenage sons. Can you imagine how many drumsticks I have to make to satisfy their appetites? Plus a hubs! I think I have to scale this 3x!!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:08 am

      I literally burst out into laughter when I read this!!! I have visions of your oven overflowing with DRUMSTICKS!!

      Reply
  13. Bethany @ athletic avocado says

    February 21, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Isn’t the best feeling when your recipe turns out amazing? Ahhh I can just imagine your face when you pulled out these delicious sticky wings! I’m drooling just looking at the pics!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:03 am

      And it feels so well deserved after the annoyance of so many FAILS in a row!!! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  14. Heather C says

    February 21, 2017 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    Just arrived at work to find this in my email – dinner tonight! It’s like you read my mind, my boys will love this!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:02 am

      Hope they do Heather!!!

      Reply
  15. Misty says

    February 21, 2017 at 9:04 am

    Oh my gosh, these look so delicious! Definitely will be adding this to this week’s grocery shopping list!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:02 am

      yes yes YES!!! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  16. Dorothy Dunton says

    February 21, 2017 at 7:00 am

    Hi Nagi. These are so worth the sticky face. I love plum sauce and use it on pan seared duck breast which is fabulous. I have had so many fails in the kitchen lately, seems like everything I bake is over baked but Gary eats it all without complaint, gotta love him.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:01 am

      He’s a good man, that one! Oooh, duck + plum sauce, fab combination!!! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  17. Joan Landa says

    February 21, 2017 at 3:05 am

    Nagi, you ARE psychic! I have been wanting to make these for a long time now! I just didn’t know how until you popped up in my e-mail this morning. I have made more of your recipes than anyone else’s – they are that good! Haven’t made these yet but tonight’s the night. Every time you post a recipe, I scroll past all the “business” parts of it to get right to the picture of Dozer. AFTER my Dozer fix, I scroll back to look at the recipe and pictures. Please do not ever stop cooking or posting because I would starve!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 10:00 am

      Anyone who leaves me messages about Dozer always scores HIGH POINTS in my books – ba ha ha!! PS I definitely have no plans to ever stop cooking and sharing, I love this SO MUCH!! N xx

      Reply
  18. Wei @ Red House Spice says

    February 21, 2017 at 2:28 am

    I love Plum sauce. So versatile. Great for pork ribs, prawns, aubergine, etc. Will have to try your recipe. Looks so yummy!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:59 am

      I know, me too! I can’t believe it took me so long to share a recipe using it!! Oooh……ribs with plum sauce….YUMMMMM!!!

      Reply
  19. christina says

    February 21, 2017 at 2:20 am

    I don’t really like the 5 spice powder. do you think I could replace it with shichimi? I love the Dozer pictures!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:58 am

      Shichimi???? Yes you can absolutely replace Five Spice with other spice flavours! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Ron says

    February 21, 2017 at 1:17 am

    5 stars
    Nagi, you crack me up! I love to read your posts. This one is special, as I know the feeling of doom when the days shot just didn’t cut it.
    The recipe looks great, can’t wait to give it a try. Looks to have a major yum factor!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:58 am

      Sometimes it feels like the story of my life!!! So glad to hear the sentiment is share!! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
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