These Lemon Pepper Wings are incredibly crispy (thanks to one special cooking technique) and bursting with pops of fresh citrus and black pepper. It’s an easy, baked chicken wing recipe perfect as a game day appetizer or any day in between!
Why you’ll love these lemon peppered chicken wings
Takes use of store-bought seasoning! I know we all have a bottle of lemon pepper seasoning tucked inside our pantries (I’m looking at you, Mrs. Dash), which makes this recipe all the more approachable. You can, of course, make your own lemon pepper seasoning, but I find it so much easier to use store-bought. Plus, the pre-made seasonings are packed with lemon, pepper and loads of spicy and savory herbs to really amp up these wings.
Crispy and golden! One small cooking technique provides the crisp crust and juicy center for restaurant-quality wings at home. I know it may sound weird, but coating the wings in baking powder also promotes that crisp, crunchy outer coating.
Less fuss, less mess! Unlike fried chicken wings, there is no waiting for a hot pot of oil to come up to temperature or wondering what to do with all the messy clean-up. All it takes is a hot oven and baking sheet to get these wings in the oven and baked to golden brown perfection.
Ingredients for lemon pepper baked chicken wings
- Chicken wings
- Baking powder
- Olive oil
- Lemon zest
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Kosher salt
How to make lemon pepper wings
- Prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe cooling rack on top. Cooking the chicken on top of a cooling rack will help the wings ventilate and crisp up without frying, so don’t skip this step!
- Prepare chicken wings: Pat the wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle evenly with baking powder and toss to coat.
- Add seasoning: Season wings evenly with olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Bake: Transfer wings to rack on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with kosher salt. Bake for 45-50 minutes, flipping the chicken wings halfway through cooking time. Let wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Chicken wing calories
The complete nutrition info is provided in the recipe card below, but one serving is 335 calories. It’s a great wing recipe when you want something that’s lighter in calories and not super saucy. Although, if you’re into sauce, you should definitely check out peach BBQ chipotle chicken wings.
Tips for making the best lemon pepper wings ever:
- Use a baking rack inside a baking sheet. Baking the chicken wings on top of the baking sheet will allow air to flow and help the wings ventilate. This makes for an extra crispy exterior.
- Coat the wings in baking powder. The cornstarch in baking powder helps dry out the chicken skin. Dry chicken skin and a hot oven mean to-die-for oven baked chicken wings.
- Don’t use too much oil. Use just enough oil to lightly coat the wings. Also remember there is fat in the chicken skin to ensure they crisp up to golden-tender.
- Up the lemon flavor! If you’re really into lemon, finish the wings with a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
Chicken wing FAQ
I used party-style wings, or chicken wings that have been cut into two pieces. I find these cook much more evenly and are certainly much more enjoyable to eat. Plus, it gives your friends the option to choose between drumettes and flats (aka winglets or wingettes). Look for them in the poultry section of most major supermarkets.
These are dry wings, or chicken wings baked with a dry-rub-type seasoning. I have read a number of recipes that finish the wings “wet” with a lemon pepper sauce – a few dabs of butter melted with a tablespoon or two of lemon pepper seasoning then brushed on the wings after cooking. But I find the lemon pepper seasoning to be much more pronounced when coated and baked with the wings.
My wings were ready after 45 minutes in the oven, but they can take a few minutes longer depending on size. As soon as the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, they’re ready!
Answer – Atlanta! A fun trivia question you can share with your friends when enjoying these little guys on game day.
Looking for more game day appetizer recipes? Check these out!
- Steak Fajita Nachos
- The Best Game Day Snack Board
- Crab Fries
- Mini Steak Frites
- Garlic and Basil White Bean Dip
If you make this Lemon Pepper Wings recipe, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!
I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!
Lemon Pepper Wings
ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
kosher salt
instructions
- Prepare baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe cooling rack on top. Cooking the chicken on top of a cooling rack will help the wings ventilate and crisp up without frying, so don’t skip this step!
- Prepare chicken wings. Pat the wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle evenly with baking powder and toss to coat.
- Add seasoning. Season wings evenly with olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Bake! Transfer wings to rack on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with kosher salt. Bake for 45-50 minutes, flipping the chicken wings halfway through cooking time. Let wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
notes
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