Baked lemon pepper chicken wings are a delightful recipe for chicken wing lovers. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, each bite is balanced with a tangy, peppery flavor that will leave you smacking your lips.
These chicken wings can be made in the air fryer for a delicious, healthier, and oil-free version, like these lip-smacking sticky chicken drumsticks. Serve them with your favorite dip, like my hot honey sauce or mango habanero sauce, or pair them with this next-level creamed corn casserole dish.
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Why should you make this recipe?
Lemon pepper dry rub wings are a fantastic recipe on many different levels. Here is why you should make this recipe more often:
- It is utterly delicious. The rich, lemony, and peppery flavor is otherworldly.
- It is super quick and easy to make.
- It is perfect not only for adults but for kids as well.
- The dish is very versatile. You can enjoy it as a snack, appetizer, or main course.
- Oven-baked chicken wings are easy to make. However, you can make them in an air fryer as well.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for the wings recipe
- Chicken wings: The main ingredient for this recipe is chicken wings. You can buy either fresh or frozen chicken wings. If using frozen ones, thaw them first to remove moisture. I used 4-pound chicken wings, which are about 16 pieces. I left the tips and wings. Feel free to discard the ends and split the wings.
- Olive oil: Olive oil helps the wings cook to perfection. Plus, it also allows the seasoning to stick to the winds. You can also use avocado oil or canola oil for this recipe.
- Seasoning: I used chicken bouillon powder, a seasoning made from chicken stock. It adds a rich, savory flavor to the wings.
- Baking powder: Baking powder absorbs the moisture in the chicken wings and makes them crispier and crunchier.
- Butter: Butter adds buttery goodness to the chicken wings.
- Lemon pepper: Lemon pepper seasoning is the hero of this recipe. It has a citrusy, lemony, and peppery flavor that is very tasteful.
- Garlic is the perfect ingredient to add a depth of savory flavor to the dish.
💭Variations and Substitutions
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Detailed instructions are outlined in the recipe card below, but here are a few steps with visuals to guide you:
Step 1: Preheat the oven, then pat dry the chicken. Transfer to a ziplock bag or bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with seasonings.
Step 2: Seal the bag and toss the chicken well until it is fully saturated with the seasonings.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with parchment or place a cooling rack over the pan. Space out the chicken put it on the middle shelf, bake for 55 minutes, and flip after 40 minutes.
Step 4: Toss the sizzling crispy chicken wings in the buttery lemon sauce. Give it a few tosses, or use a wooden spoon or thong to marry the sauce with the wings.
Lemon Pepper chicken wings two ways
Baked :
To bake chicken wings without frying them, here's what you need to do:
- Pat the chicken wings dry.
- Sprinkle them with olive oil.
- Season the chicken wings.
- Toss the wings in baking powder for a crispy exterior.
- Line them on a baking sheet and bake at 425°F.
Please follow the instructions on the recipe card.
Air fried:
I made these delicious lemon pepper wings in my instant pot air fryer. They turned out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Here's how to make them:
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Season the chicken wings.
- Place the seasoned wings in the basket and air fry for 20 minutes, then flip them and air fry for another 5 minutes.
What to pair with lemon chicken?
Lemon pepper chicken goes so well with:
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables like green beans, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, etc
- Pasta salad
- Creamy potato salad
- Lemon pepper sauce
Storage
Store baked wings in an airtight container and refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in either an oven or an air fryer.
Moreover, once they are cooked and cooled down, place them on a tray and flash freeze for 3 to 4 hours. Now, place them in a plastic zip-lock bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer and enjoy!
👩🏽🍳Maur's Tips
- Don't skip using the baking powder for this recipe. The baking powder helps the wings yield a brown and crispier exterior, like fried chicken. There is no aftertaste, so there is no need to worry.
- If you are feeling bold, zest a whole lemon into the mixture.
📝Recipe FAQS
Cheddar is a classic choice for mac and cheese because it melts well and provides a sharp, tangy flavor. However, multiple types of cheese can elevate your dish. Examples are gouda, gruyere, and parmesan, to mention a few.
Yes, you can make the cheese sauce ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring to maintain a smooth texture. If it thickens, add a splash of milk or pasta water, then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Here is a list of cheeses that complement cheddar and a brief description to guide your decision:
Gruyère: Nutty and melts beautifully.
Gouda: Creamy with a mild, buttery flavor.
Parmesan: It adds a sharp, salty flavor, so hold off on adding salt until the end while adjusting for taste.
Monterey Jack: Mild and extra creamy.
Fontina: it adds a smooth and slightly earthy note and melts well.
You can turn a chicken wing into two by clipping and cutting the wing from the joint. Also, trim excess fat, and you are done.
Lemon pepper seasoning is a versatile seasoning that works well with many ingredients. It is perfect for seasoning meat like chicken, fish, or steak. You can use it as a dry rub or in a marinade. Plus, you can use it in salad dressings to add a citrusy and peppery flavor to your salads.
This party wing recipe is a crowd-pleaser, and I hope it gets all the cheers at your next gathering. Share a bite with us on our social media. If you make this recipe using the hashtag worldlytreat(#worldlytreat), we'd love to join the soirée. Also, don't forget to pin it for later. Chat soon?
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
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📖 Recipe
Baked lemon pepper chicken wings
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 lbs Chicken wings (feel free to discard tips or split wings)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons chicken bouillon powder (better than bouillon is another option)
- kosher salt to taste
- 4 tablespoons Baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted Butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper
- A fist full of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped. (about ⅓ cup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and top with a baking rack. Grease with cooking spray. Set aside
- Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel and transfer them into a bowl or large ziplock bag.
- Add the olive oil, chicken powder, salt, and ground black pepper into the bag/bowl. Give it a good massage to combine. Add the baking powder to the bowl/bag and toss it until all the chicken pieces are coated.
- Line the chicken wings on a single layer over the prepared rack. Bake for 40 minutes, rotate the pans and flip the wings. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the skin is crispy and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a saucepan or large skillet. Add garlic and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the lemon pepper, reduce heat to low, and cook for another minute. Add the chopped parsley and remove it from heat. If using a large skillet, place wings into the pan and toss to coat. You can equally combine in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle it with more lemon pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Lemon pepper Air fryer wings:
- spray the inner basket with cooking spray and heat the air fryer at 400°F.
- Follow the direction above to prepare and season the chicken.
- Next, place the chicken in the basket and bake for 20 minutes; flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Toss in the lemon sauce and serve
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