This simple marinade for chicken legs packs so much flavor from balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, and Dijon mustard. You’ll want baked balsamic glazed drumsticks for dinner every night!
There’s nothing I love more than an easy weeknight dinner that everyone at the table will love and this recipe totally fits that bill. The marinade is simple and the preparation takes almost no effort. Yes, there’s marinade time, but I’ve skipped it before and the chicken has still turned out beautifully!
How to Make the Marinade for Balsamic Chicken Legs
This marinade for what is essentially a balsamic glaze is super simple and requires a few ingredients you probably already have on hand. Here’s what you need:
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Shallot
- Garlic cloves
- Kosher salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
You simply just whisk all those ingredients together and pour them over drumsticks. You could just add everything to a zipper top bag or tupperware container for the marinade time, but it’s even easier if you just do it in the baking dish you’ll use to cook so you can go from fridge to oven.
It’s best if you have time to marinade the chicken legs for at least 2 hours, up to overnight in the refrigerator. But I’ve skipped the marinade time before and this meal is still delicious! If you do marinade, flip the legs half way through so the meat absorbs the flavor evenly.
How to Make Balsamic Chicken Legs
I really like a fall off the bone texture for these legs, so I go low and slow at 350 degrees F for 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes.
You could totally use this marinade for other cuts of chicken, like breasts or thighs, and even try other cooking methods like grilling! This recipe allows for a lot of recipe and creativity.
If you’re looking for high quality, humanely raised chicken, I always recommend Porter Road. Meat gets delivered right to your door, no subscription required, and it’s the best stuff I’ve ever eaten.
Watch the recipe video to see the whole process!
What to Serve with Balsamic Chicken Legs
Balsamic Chicken Legs Recipe
Get the Recipe:
Balsamic Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 shallot, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 12 chicken legs
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients except the chicken legs. Arrange the chicken legs in a 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken legs and turn them to coat.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours, up to overnight, turning the legs again half way through marinating time.
- When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook legs for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until they’re no longer pink in the middle and meat is starting to fall off the bone.
Great dish
Delicious! I didn’t marinade for the time listed and still came out with flavor all the way through and a nice balsamic color.
Chicken was so easy to make and was so juicy and flavorful will make again
GIRL!
G I R L !!!
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I love you and your site, this experience is as handcrafted as your recipes are scrumptious honey. Thanks again G 🫶🏽
Sincerely, Derrick D Milner Sr
Do you take it out of the marinade or just leave it in the dish with the chicken before cooking? I’m giving it a 5 already because I can tell it’s going to be good!
Just leave it in!