I confess; I’m something of a chicken wings fanatic. I love piling my family into the car, grabbing a few friends, and heading to the nearest restaurant for hot wings and cold beverages. There’s something so satisfying about the crispy skin, tangy sauce, and tender, flavorful meat. But you know me, I can’t resist experimenting at home. And this lemon pepper chicken wings recipe is just as good (or better😉) as anything I’ve had in a restaurant. The irresistible combination of lemon and pepper creates high-voltage flavors and a heavenly, follow-your-nose-to-the-kitchen aroma! One taste, and you’ll forget all about restaurant wings!
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Dehydrate Lemon Zest – Prepare a baking sheet with parchment, then set aside. Zest lemons, being careful not to include the white pith. Place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Set the oven temperature to 200℉, and bake for about 20 minutes so the zest dries completely. Mix – Place the lemon zest in a medium bowl with black pepper, garlic and onion powder, celery seeds, and your choice of herbs. Thoroughly mix until ingredients until fully combined. Store in an airtight container (or ziplock bag) and use as desired.Dry the Wings – Pat them dry and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then let them sit in the fridge until ready to use. Don’t cover them, but let them air dry. Prep – When ready to bake the wings, preheat the oven to 400°F/205℃. In a large bowl, salt, and pepper them to taste. Add the lemon pepper seasoning and rub it all over the wings. Bake – Line a baking pan with foil and put a wire rack on top. Arrange chicken wings in a single layer. While the chicken wings are baking, the chicken fat will drip to the bottom of the baking pan. But you can bake them without a wire rack with good results. Bake wings until cooked and skin is crispy (35-40 minutes). Rotate the wings halfway through, roughly 20 minutes. Cooking time will vary according to the wing size. Serve immediately with a bowl of ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
These lemon pepper wings are best served hot and crispy, straight from the oven. But if you need to save some time on game day, you can prep the chicken wings (cut them and leave them in the fridge to dry) the day before. You can also make the seasoning well in advance.
Serving and Storage Instructions
These chicken wings refrigerate and reheat nicely… if you have any leftovers! They will last in the fridge in an airtight container for four days. Reheat them in a 350℉/177℃ oven for 10-15 minutes to keep them crispy and juicy. Or you pop them in the microwave for a quick reheat. Lemon pepper seasoning is good for up to two years in an airtight container.
What to Serve With Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
That will depend on your social event. I like to serve wings for movie or game nights with other finger foods, like pizza rolls and bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers. However, a fresh wedge salad or cucumber tomato salad will perfectly round out your meal if you want to go light.
More Winning Wing Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Crispy, tangy, and tender lemon pepper chicken wings are even more delicious than they are easy to make! What is your favorite wing recipe for tailgate parties? Drop me a comment below!😍
