Chicken legs in honey-soy marinade
3 servings
70 minutes
Chicken legs in honey-soy marinade are a refined dish of Spanish cuisine that combines the sweetness of honey and the richness of soy sauce. It may have roots in traditional Spanish cooking where meat is often marinated in aromatic mixtures to enhance flavor. Baked in the oven, the legs turn out tender and juicy with a caramelized crust that gives them an appetizing shine. The dish has a deep flavor with umami notes and a hint of sweetness, while garlic and spices add zest. It pairs excellently with potatoes and fresh vegetables, creating a harmony of taste and texture. A wonderful choice for a cozy dinner or festive table, this dish captivates with its aroma and richness of flavor, making it a true gastronomic delight.
1
Preheat the oven, prepare a baking dish, a baking bag, or just foil.
2
Wash and dry the legs.
3
Rub the legs with salt (don't use too much, as you'll be using soy sauce later — you risk over-salting, or better yet, don't salt at all), pepper, and spices (you can use any spices you prefer).
- Salt: to taste
- Ground black pepper: to taste
- Spices for poultry: to taste
4
Set the legs aside — let them rest and soak. In the meantime, mix honey (it should be liquid; if it has crystallized, warm it slightly to melt), soy sauce, and crushed or finely chopped garlic (whichever you prefer) — this will create a marinade sauce.
- Honey: 6 tablespoons
- Soy sauce: 5 tablespoon
- Garlic: 5 clove
5
Unpack the package and place it in a form to conveniently fold the legs. If you took foil, line your form with it, leaving large enough edges to wrap the chicken.
6
Take the marinated legs and generously coat them with the prepared marinade (you can even dip them in a bowl of sauce) and place them in a bag or a foil-lined dish. Pour the remaining sauce over them.
- Chicken drumstick: 6 pieces
- Honey: 6 tablespoons
- Soy sauce: 5 tablespoon
- Garlic: 5 clove
7
Tie the bag/wrap it in foil, preferably in a dome shape, to allow air and not touch the chicken, as the honey will burn). ATTENTION — do not poke the bag immediately!
8
Place in a preheated oven on the middle or upper rack and cook for 45-50 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness. Puncture the bag only after 25 minutes of cooking! Cooking in foil takes about 10 minutes longer.
9
Serve with boiled potatoes and fresh vegetables.