This Lemon Pepper Wings recipe is filled with bright, zesty flavors and a dash of heat. The wings achieve a perfect combination of crispiness and juiciness, with garlic and onion enhancing their taste profile.
If you enjoy chicken wings, you should definitely try the Teriyaki Chicken Wings and BBQ Chicken Wings recipes as well.
Recipe Details
I love serving these Lemon Pepper Wings because they pack a fantastic flavor punch. The lemon pepper seasoning elevates the overall taste, and the recipe is quite easy to follow.
- TASTE: The inclusion of onion and garlic provides these wings with a wonderful depth of flavor. The lemon pepper seasoning offers a delightful spicy and citrusy kick that you will find irresistible.
- TEXTURE: These Lemon Pepper Wings are wonderfully juicy, accompanied by a crispy outer layer. When brushed with butter, their appeal is heightened.
- TIME: The whole cooking process takes approximately 48 minutes.
- EASE: It’s an uncomplicated recipe! Just mix the ingredients, bake, and apply the lemon pepper butter.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Wings- Opt for bone-in and skin-on wings for best results.
- Olive oil- This helps the seasonings cling to the skin.
- Onion powder, Salt, and Garlic powder- These ingredients enhance the wings’ overall flavor profile.
- Baking powder- This contributes to achieving a crispy texture on the wings.
- Butter- It adds a rich flavor and ensures the seasonings stick.
- Lemon pepper seasoning- This lends a refreshing, peppery taste that isn’t overly spicy.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute other spices- Feel free to try different spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, sage, rosemary, cumin, or curry powder.
- Make it dairy-free- You can switch out the butter with olive oil when applying the lemon pepper seasoning.
- Substitute corn starch- Corn starch can replace baking powder for a crispy wing skin.
- Air fry them- Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the wings for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings
- Toss the chicken and ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken wings with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder. Stir together thoroughly.
- Prep the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the seasoned wings in a single layer.
- Bake them. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, then bake the wings for around 40-45 minutes, flipping once during the cooking time.
Pro Tip: If you lack a large mixing bowl, a gallon-sized ziplock bag can work effectively for mixing the ingredients.
- Create the lemon pepper butter. In a saucepan, melt the butter and mix it with the lemon pepper seasoning.
- Coat the wings with the seasoned butter. Once the wings are baked, brush them with the lemon pepper butter using a silicone brush or toss them in a large bowl. Serve warm, ideally paired with ranch dressing.
Recipe Tips
- Ensure even wing coating- Mix the wings well with the seasoning to achieve a crispy texture on all sides.
- Avoid overcrowing the baking sheet- Space the wings apart on the baking sheet for air circulation, which helps with even cooking and crispiness.
- Add lemon pepper seasoning at the end- Adding the seasoning at the end will enhance its flavor. If baked earlier, some of its potency may be lost.
- Use a silicone brush- While it’s possible to use a spoon, a silicone brush makes it much easier and more effective to apply the seasoning.
Common Questions
The key to crispy wings is baking powder. Coat the wings in it before baking to achieve a wonderfully crispy outer layer.
Classic lemon pepper sauce is made with lemon pepper seasoning mixed with melted butter, and variations may include lemon juice as well.
Other options for additions include lemon zest, hot sauce, and honey.
