Sweet and Sticky Chicken

A delicious oven-roasted recipe for sweet and sticky chicken. This quick & easy recipe will please the entire family and only takes minutes to prepare! Enjoy with a side of easy roasted broccoli.

I can remember several years ago, a family in our church welcomed their second child.

When the coordinator sent out the email for volunteers to make dinners, there was a note included that threw me for a bit of a loop: their 18 month-old daughter was gluten-free.

Now, I wasn’t completely oblivious to food allergies. After all, my daughter has a sensitivity to hybridized wheat, and I can make an amazing gluten-free yellow cake, mini chocolate chip scones that are SO addicting. I even know which are the best gluten-free foods at ALDI.

But none of that will put dinner on the table for this family, and that means digging into the recipe archives and pulling out something that is lip-smacking delicious. Friends, meet your new family-loved favorite: sweet and sticky chicken.

What can you put on chicken to make it taste good?

Have you ever licked your fingers because the sauce was so good? Ever scooped extra vegetables – especially the ones you don’t like – just because they were coated in that sauce?

That’s this dish. The combination of molasses and honey coats the chicken with a sweet and sticky sauce that you wish was slathered on almost everything, and thankfully, – it is!

Layers of vegetables on the bottom, chicken on top and then SAUCE OVER EVERYTHING means every last green bean or potato (or whatever vegetable you decide to use) gets covered with sweet and sticky goodness. A bit of onion and garlic deepens the flavor and if you’re really in the mood, try adding some crushed red pepper to the sauce too. OMG! YES!

This is a hearty and filling dinner that elicits purrs of “mmm’s,” kids asking if they can have more, and husbands rubbing their bellies in delight. I know you will love this recipe as much as my family does!

Sweet and Sticky Chicken

I’m pretty sure the sauce alone will win you over, but just in case you need a few better reasons, it’s also:

• Hearty. This is a super simple dish that definitely pleases the “meat and potato” people!
• Frugal. Chicken drumsticks and thighs are super affordable, and so are potatoes. Use any type of potato you have, but sweet potatoes would be exceptionally good.
• Freezer-friendly. Make a double batch and freeze for another date on your meal plan.

What are the Ingredients for Sticky Chicken?

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Chicken (legs or drumsticks)
• Molasses (sub brown sugar if you don’t have molasses)
• Ketchup
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Italian seasoning (here’s my Homemade Italian Seasoning recipe)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Butter (olive oil for dairy-free)
• Cornstarch & water slurry (optional)

Note: Some people like to use honey garlic sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce and sesame seeds for an Asian-style sticky chicken. You might like to try my Chinese 5-Spice Chicken for a similar flavor, but this sticky chicken dish has a different and totally amazing flavor profile! YUM!

What type of chicken can I use?

I use legs or drumsticks because they are the most affordable cuts of chicken, and they just taste good. If you have boneless skinless chicken on hand, you can use that too. I’d cook the whole breasts over the vegetables, and then cube before serving.

Adjust cooking time accordingly. The chicken may take less time to cook than the vegetables, so you’d want to remove the chicken when it’s done and let the vegetables finish cooking.

How Do You Make Sweet and Sticky Chicken?

1. In an 8×8 oven-proof dish, layer the vegetables.
2. Combine 2 Tbsp each of molasses + ketchup + honey + maple syrup and all seasoning in a medium bowl. Place chicken pieces in a separate bowl.
3. Add the chicken to 1/4 cup of the sauce and stir to coat well. Place saucy chicken on top of vegetables. Place butter on top of chicken.
4. Bake for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining sauce in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Make a corn starch slurry and combine.
5. Add this thickened sauce to the top of the chicken and continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until done.

Can I Freeze Sweet and Sticky Chicken?

Yes! The recipe serves four people in an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish, but you can easily double the recipe and use a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish instead.

By the way, this is a great full meal to freeze, so buy your ingredients in bulk to save money and make two extra pans when you’re making this for dinner one night. These disposable aluminum pans are freezer and oven safe, and they come with a lid so you can easily stack them in your freezer and pull it out whenever you need a meal without much work.

Ps…Typically, I don’t like to freeze full meals and instead freeze meal components. Extra shredded chicken or carnitas are often found in my freezer. Or portions of beans. Use these freezer cooking tips to find out more!

This recipe is featured in these FREE meal plans!

• Spring Eating Plan
• Real Food Dinner Ideas
• Whole Food Recipes

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• Chinese 5-Spice Chicken
• Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
• 15 Minute Kung Pao Chicken with Vegetables
• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Almond Crusted Baked Chicken

Watch How to Make Sweet and Sticky Chicken with Veggies:

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