Chicken & Poultry Christmas

Sticky Asian-Inspired Chicken Chilli Drumsticks

Sticky, sweet, and spicy chicken drumsticks glazed with chilli jam, orange, and Chinese spices. Marinated overnight and roasted until golden, these make a vibrant and flavourful dinner.

By Ricky Robinson Updated December 9, 2025

These sticky chicken drumsticks are perfect for festive entertaining and make a colourful centrepiece for your Christmas table. The glaze is a mix of chilli jam, fresh orange juice and zest, sesame oil, and Chinese five spice, with a bit of grated ginger and soy sauce for depth. You marinate the drumsticks overnight in a freezer bag, which means minimal effort.

Marinating overnight allows the spices and citrus to penetrate the chicken, giving every bite layers of sweet, sticky, and mildly spicy flavour.

The roasting process is straightforward, just turn the drumsticks halfway through to get that even golden-brown colour and sticky caramelisation. The glaze thickens beautifully as it cooks, coating the chicken in a glossy, flavourful finish. Serving them on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce with fresh orange slices, pomegranate seeds, and coriander makes the whole thing feel festive and special, perfect for festive gatherings.

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Sticky Asian-Inspired Chicken Chilli Drumsticks

What makes this recipe work so well for Christmas is the balance between sweet and spicy flavours, along with the vibrant festive colours from the pomegranate and orange. The chilli jam brings heat without being overwhelming, while the orange juice adds a bright citrus note that cuts through the richness. The star anise and Chinese five spice give it that distinctive Asian-inspired warmth perfect for the holiday season, and the sesame oil adds a nutty depth that ties everything together.

This recipe serves four to six people, making it ideal for Christmas gatherings or Boxing Day feasts when you want something a little different from traditional festive fare. The overnight marinating means you can prep it the night before and just stick it in the oven when you're ready. The garnishes (spring onions, coriander, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds) add colour and freshness, making the plate look festive and special. Serve it with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Sticky Asian-Inspired Chicken Chilli Drumsticks

Chicken Chilli jam Orange
Total Time 8 hrs 45 min
Servings 5 servings
Calories 380 cal
Protein 32g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Jug
  • Large Freezer Bag
  • Oven
  • Roasting Tin

Instructions

  1. 1
    In a jug, mix together the sesame oil, star anise, Chinese 5 spice, chilli jam, orange juice and zest, grated ginger and soy sauce to make the glaze.
  2. 2
    Place the chicken drumsticks into a large freezer bag and pour the glaze over. Seal and massage to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate and marinate overnight.
  3. 3
    Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  4. 4
    Pour the marinated drumsticks out of the freezer bag and arrange on a roasting tin. Roast for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through and sticky.
  5. 5
    Arrange the shredded iceberg lettuce on a serving platter or plate. Place the roasted chicken drumsticks on top.
  6. 6
    Garnish with sliced spring onions, fresh coriander, orange slices and pomegranate seeds.
  7. 7
    Serve immediately.

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Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes until heated through, or enjoy cold as part of a packed lunch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce with steamed rice or noodles on the side. The fresh garnishes—orange slices, pomegranate seeds, spring onions, and coriander add colour and balance the richness of the glaze.

Sticky Asian-Inspired Chicken Chilli Drumsticks

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