With football season in full swing, you can bet chips, dips and wings are on the weekend menu. I developed this sticky chicken drumstick recipe to sweeten up game time with a more wholesome and hearty version of chicken wings.

Using POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice, this recipe provides extra health benefits because it is powered by antioxidants. The pomegranate is whole-pressed, meaning a unique blend of polyphenol antioxidants from two whole pomegranates – including its fruit, pith and rind – is found in each 8 oz bottle. And guess what–this recipe calls for 8oz of this powerhouse juice. That means a whole lot of antioxidants are coming your way! Plus, pomegranate juice is both tart and sweet, a perfect combination for the base of a reduction.

Because I believe in transparency, I’m adding the disclosure that I received free samples of POM Wonderful mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by POM Wonderful and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Pomegranate Glazed Drumsticks

Serves 2
– 4 chicken drumsticks (about 1 lb)
– kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
– 2 tsp olive oil
– 1 tsp fresh garlic, chopped
– pinch red pepper flakes
– 1 cup POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
– 1 Tbs soy sauce
– 1 1/2 Tbs honey
– 1 Tbs apple cider vinegar
– Optional: 1 lime, half of the lime cut into wedges

Heat the oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the drumsticks on the foil, then salt and pepper both sides. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

While the chicken is baking, heat the oil in a 10-12 inch pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and pepper flakes, and cook until fragrant, about 1-1.5 minutes. Add the POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice, soy sauce, honey and vinegar. Cook for about 10 minutes or until sauce is reduced to appear like a thin syrup, stirring occasionally, then take off the heat.

Remove the chicken from the oven and brush on the reduction. Put back in the oven for 6 minutes.

Remove the chicken, flip the drumsticks, and brush on the reduction. Set your oven to broil and place back in the oven for just 2-3 minutes. For the last time, remove the chicken, flip once more to return to the original side facing up, brush on the reduction and broil for another 2-3 minutes.

Let the drumsticks cool for a minute, squirt the lime juice over the chicken, and serve with a lime wedge as optional. Enjoy!