Ultimate Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
These lemon pepper chicken wings are the best, ever. Baked in the oven yet they have that signature crispiness we all love. Tons of lemony goodness and coated in the most epic lemon garlic butter sauce!
There are truly no words at all to describe my love of lemon pepper chicken wings, y’all. One of my favorite delights ever. I mean, don’t get me wrong- I love me some buffalo, barbecue, and even sweet chicken wings too. However, nothing compares to that good ole lemony, peppery, and puckered taste of lemon pepper.
This post was originally published back in January 2018 and I’m so happy to come back to it. I’ve updated the written recipe and shot some new beauty images just in time for Spring. These bright + zippy wings are giving you everything that needs to be given. We’re obsessed with them so much and hope you will be too!
The Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings, Period
Yahh, we’re claiming it. These chicken wings are so easy to make, baked to perfection (yup, no frying!), and so dang flavorful! Whip up a batch of these wings for nearly any occasion and lick them fingers clean, ha!
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
- chicken party wings (flats and/or drums, as you prefer)
- lemon pepper seasoning (your favorite store-bought, just make sure it contains salt)
- lemon peel seasoning (gives more lemony flavor- you can sub for lemon zest)
- baking powder (since these are baked wings, baking powder ensures crispiness)
- butter (for the sauce- can also sub for ghee)
- garlic paste (fresh minced garlic as alternative)
- lemon zest (holds the highest amount of essential oils, flavor!)
- lemon juice (we’re making lemon pepper chicken wings, lemony taste everywhere)
- black pepper (freshly ground for the ultimate peppery taste!)
Homemade Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete + full instructions.)
- Remove any moisture by pat drying the chicken wings with paper towels.
- Season the wings with lemon pepper/lemon peel seasonings.
- Transfer the wings into the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Transfer the wings into a bowl and coat them with the baking powder.
- Arrange the wings on a large baking sheet.
- Bake them until crispy and browned.
- Make the lemon garlic butter sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked wings and toss together.
- Serve the lemon pepper chicken wings hot and enjoy!
How To Get Crispy Chicken Wings
PAT DRY THE WINGS: In order to get super crispy chicken wings, you need to remove any moisture from them. If you cleanse your meats before cooking, squeeze them into paper towels to blot any excess moisture. Alternatively, if you take them directly out of the packaging be sure to still do the same thing.
DON’T SKIP THE BAKING POWDER: We all love that beautiful crispy coated skin on a chicken wing, well, baking powder will give us that. It helps with browning and that golden color on those wings too.
USE A RACK: Having a rack on top of your baking sheet will help airflow circulate around the chicken wings while they bake. Even airflow means super crispy wings all over, this is the goal.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Lemon Butter Scallops with Spring Risotto
- The Perfect Classic Meatloaf
- Jerk Chicken Wings with Guava Sauce
- Creamy Rasta Pasta
- Southern Style Chicken Salad
- Easy Skillet Lasagna
- Salmon Cakes with Quick Aioli
- Crispy Baked Honey Chipotle Wings
Can I Make These Wings Using An Air Fryer?
Yup! These lemon pepper chicken wings will also crisp up nicely in an air fryer. Prepare the wings the exact same way as directed below. Then arrange them in the air fryer, skin side up, and turn the wings halfway through. Cook the wings until browned and crispy, the total time should take around 20 minutes.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. One of the things I love about the air fryer cooking method is that these lemon pepper chicken wings cook up even faster!
Storing/Reheating Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for freshness. When ready to reheat these chicken wings, simply reheat in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer until heated through. I do not recommend microwaving these wings as they will not regain their original crispy texture.
What To Serve With These Chicken Wings
- Sauces: Ranch is probably the best saucy pairing for lemon pepper chicken wings!
- Breads: Garlic bread, your fave rolls, or my loaded olive cheese bread, yum.
- Sides: Maybe some smoked gouda mac and cheese or collard greens, delish.
- Healthier options: corn, your fave salad, sweet potato fries, and roasted veggies.
This post was originally published on 1/22/2018 and updated as of 4/22/2021.
REMEMBER TO LEAVE A ⭐️STAR RATING⭐️AND TAG ME ON THE ‘GRAM IF YOU MAKE ANY OF MY RECIPES! I ALWAYS LOVE TO SEE IT WHEN YOU DO!
UNTIL NEXT TIME…LOVE AND BUTTER,
Q.
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Ultimate Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These lemon pepper chicken wings are the best, ever. Baked in the oven yet they have that signature crispiness we all love. Tons of lemony goodness and coated in the most epic lemon garlic butter sauce!
Ingredients
- 20 chicken party wings, flats/drums
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning (with salt)
- 1 teaspoon lemon peel seasoning (this is the one I use)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste, or fresh minced garlic
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice from 1 lemon, taken from same zested lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the chicken wings (remove any feathers, etc) and pat dry well with paper towels.
- Place the chicken wings into a large resealable bag or you can use a large container with lid.
- Season the chicken wings with the lemon pepper and lemon peel seasonings. Use your hands (with disposable gloves, if desired) to make sure all of the chicken pieces are coated in seasoning.
- Transfer the bag/container into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken wings. Sprinkle the baking powder over the wings and use tongs to lightly toss together to make sure the baking powder coats all of the wings.
- Using a large baking sheet (you may need to use two) fitted with a wire rack in place, lightly spray the rack. Then place the wings onto the rack, making sure the wings are not touching.
- Bake the wings, skin side up and turning them over halfway through cooking time, until crispy and browned- about one hour long. The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your wings. When wings are almost done cooking, prepare the sauce ahead of time.
- To make lemon garlic butter sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add in the garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir the mixture together until well combined and let the sauce cook for about 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and pour over the chicken wings in a large bowl and gently shake together.
- Serve the lemon pepper wings immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can sub fresh lemon zest for lemon peel seasoning.
- Please read the blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.
Keywords: chicken, chicken wings, lemon, baked
16 Comments on “Ultimate Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings”
These look seriously delicious! I have never had lemon pepper on wings before, pinning to try later this week. Gorgeous photography!
Hi Ruby! You definitely have to try these, lemon pepper wings are so good. Thanks so much for the kind words!
Oh my. That’s a mouth-watering dish. Five stars all the way!!!
★★★★★
Hi Jane! Thanks so much 🙂
This recipe and the pics look mouthwatering!! I want to try them out. Did you start with frozen wings? And what brand of seasonings did you use? I have 3 different brands of lemon pepper seasoning and none of them satisfy me. Anyway, great looking blog also! Looking forward to reading and learning more about you.
Hi Kim! Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it! I didn’t start with frozen wings. I seasoned them and let it marinate overnight. I used fresh lemon juice, traditional lemon pepper seasoning, and lemon peel seasoning (Spice Islands brand). Hope this helps 🙂
Every bit delicious as they look. Better than the ones at your wing joint for sure.
★★★★★
Made these tonight-the rack in the oven changes the game! Great flavor.
★★★★★
Let me tell you….these made people think I can actually cook. Lol. I made these and didn’t have high hopes because generally if it’s not cake, I fail at it. But but but …I surprised myself. Then my mom. Then my boyfriend. Now I’m planning a party and I’m so prepared x
Best oven baked wings recipe I’ve ever tried without question! Followed your note to sub lemon zest since I couldn’t find the lemon peel seasoning and the flavor was perfect. Cannot wait to make them again.
★★★★★
Hi Eileen! Wonderful, I’m so happy you loved these wings 🙂
These were so good! Made for a Sunday snack and really hit the spot. Accidently tossed with cornstarch instead of baking powder, not turned out great in the air fryer!
★★★★★
Phenomenal! Very tasty, the lemon and pepper add such a nice bright flavor, wings are juicy and tender with the right crisp on the outside. A hit with us for sure!
★★★★★
Hi Mike- these wings are my favorite, so glad you + yours loved them, too! 🙂
Hi! I made the lemon pepper skewers and they were amazing. I’m making the wings tonight. Will these work in an air fryer? Also, do you recommend using the sauce you made for the skewers or this one? It was so good. Thanks!
★★★★★
Hi Kim- Glad you enjoyed! You can make these wings in an air fryer (see my garlic parm wings instructions for air fryer wings cooking)…and I recommend the sauce written for this recipe 🙂