Turmeric chicken legs with a garlic honey glaze, a simple chicken leg recipe with only 5 ingredients.
The turmeric chicken with honey garlic glaze is the second recipe in this Turmeric Series. This is a repost from 2016.

Like I've told you in my last post – Turmeric Paste for Golden Milk, turmeric is such an amazing spice, “the spice of life” like the people of India call it, something I am striving to include in our diet as much as I can.
I've discovered the recipe for the honey turmeric chicken only about 3 months ago, but I think I must have made it 6 times ever since. My children, especially my daughter, love chicken legs.
Sometimes at the beginning of the year I told my kids that each of them can wish me to cook something that they especially like every other week, one week Bruno and the next week Perla. Bruno is being quite creative when wishing me to cook something he likes, but Perla's first choice is always chicken.
When I say, please, we had that last week, then she would consider something else, most of the times pizza or chicken dumpling soup or zucchini pancakes, but otherwise is chicken.
So I cook lots and lots of chicken legs, mostly baked, that is the way they both like them best, but I try to be creative with the seasoning at least, because it would definitely get boring to serve exactly the same thing over and over again.
Ingredients
I have been using this turmeric honey glaze very often lately.
Not only it tastes absolutely delicious and looks totally appealing due to that wonderful bright turmeric yellow, but it is also soooo easy and quick to make. And it is cheap on top of everything.
You will only need 5 ingredients: chicken legs (thighs and/or drumsticks) + turmeric powder + honey + garlic + soy sauce. Not counting the salt and the one teaspoon oil for greasing the baking tray.
Chicken:
- I use whole legs, which I divide at the joint. You can do that as well, or you can use thighs and/or drumsticks instead.
How to divide chicken legs at the joint?
- Hold the thigh with one hand and the leg with the other hand. Bend the chicken leg until the joint dislocates.
- Cut through the dislocated joint with a sharp knife or use kitchen shears. Remove the excess fat and skin.
How to make?
Honey glaze:
- Grate the garlic. Mix with honey, soy sauce, turmeric and salt.
Roast:
- Place the thighs and legs on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper, which have been slightly greased with oil.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until cooked through. Make sure to check that the meat is perfectly cooked through, pink chicken is not safe to eat.
How to check if the chicken is done?
There are several ways of checking.
-
Check the internal temperature:
This is the best way. Use a meat thermometer, insert it in the thickest part of the thigh. The safe internal temperature for chicken is of 74 degrees Celsius/ 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Skewer:
Insert a skewer in the thickest part of the chicken thigh, the juices should run clear.
-
Cut:
Make a small cut on the underside of the piece of meat, near the bone. The meat around the bone should be white and not pink or bloody.
What to serve with it?
I usually serve the honey turmeric chicken with baked potato wedges and green salad with yogurt dressing.
Other serving suggestions:
Nigerian Jollof Rice + green salad
Plain rice + Zucchini with Pesto
Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes + green salad
Garlic Smashed Potatoes + French Style Green Beans
PIT IT FOR LATER!
Turmeric Chicken with Honey Glaze
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius/ 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Divide the chicken legs at the joint to have 6 thighs and 6 drumsticks (Note). Place them in a shallow and large dish.
- Rub: In a small bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Pour the mixture over the chicken and rub the chicken well.
- Roast: Line a large baking tray with foil or baking parchment. Lightly brush the foil with a bit of oil. Place the chicken parts on it and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Check: To check the doneness, insert a toothpick in the thickest part of the thigh; the juices that run out should be completely clear, absolutely no pink. Make sure to check after 30 minutes of baking time. If the juices are still pink, prolong the baking time and check after every 5 minutes or so.
Notes
- Hold the thigh with one hand and the leg with the other hand. Bend the chicken leg until the joint dislocates.
- Cut through the dislocated joint with a sharp knife or use kitchen shears. Remove the excess fat and skin.
Sissi says
Turmeric has been THE obligatory spice for my baked chicken legs or grilled breasts for many years now, so I'm sure your legs taste wonderful!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh man oh man! Those chicken legs look SO good! They are so beautiful and golden, I could just gobble a plate of them up right now!
Chris Scheuer says
Yum! This looks amazing. I love cooking with turmeric too, it's such a versatile spice.
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Turmeric is my new favorite thing - I have to try this delectable looking chicken!
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
These flavors sound amazing! I love tumrtic but i don't think I cook with it enough, and the addition of honey sounds so good!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
These turmeric chicken legs look so delicious, Adina. That yellow color is making them more appealing. I am sure my family would love these! Thanks for this wonderful share. 🙂
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
This chicken! Oh, my kids would love it! It seems like my kids are very similar to your daughter in their taste. They also love chicken wings (not my favorite). I will have to make this for them. Thanks for the recipe.
Laura Dembowski says
I absolutely love turmeric and how versatile it is. It pairs so well with many vegetables and proteins.