How to Make the Perfect Lemon Pepper Wings
American · Easy · 55 min · 4 servings
Bright and zesty chicken wings seasoned with a bold lemon pepper blend and finished with fresh lemon zest. These wings are a tangy and savory alternative to saucy wings.
Why this recipe works
This Lemon Pepper Wings recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 55 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 490 calories with 37g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp coarsely cracked black pepper
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prep and Season the Wings
Pat wings completely dry with paper towels. Toss with baking powder, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make sure every wing is evenly coated for maximum crispiness.
Step 2: Bake Until Crispy
Place wings on a wire rack over a lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 425 degrees F for 45 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point, until deeply golden and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Lemon Pepper Butter
Combine melted butter, fresh lemon juice, cracked black pepper, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until well blended. The butter will carry the lemon pepper flavor onto every wing.
Step 4: Toss the Wings
Add the hot crispy wings directly to the bowl with the lemon pepper butter. Toss vigorously until every wing is fully coated in the glossy lemon pepper sauce.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Transfer wings to a serving platter and garnish with additional lemon zest and cracked pepper if desired. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh lemon juice → bottled lemon juice in a pinch but fresh is strongly preferred
- unsalted butter → ghee for a nuttier richer finish
- cracked black pepper → store-bought lemon pepper seasoning to simplify the recipe
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using pre-ground fine black pepper instead of coarsely cracked pepper which loses the bold peppery bite
- Skipping the wire rack and baking wings flat on a sheet pan which traps steam and makes the skin soft
- Adding lemon juice directly to the dry wings before baking which prevents crisping and adds unwanted moisture
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 490 calories, 37g protein, 2g carbs, 36g fat, 0g fiber.
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