Description
These Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are the perfect combination of crispy, juicy chicken with a refreshing, zesty lemon flavor and a spicy kick from black pepper. A simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s easy to make and always a hit at any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12-16 chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Season Wings: In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika. Add olive oil and stir to create a smooth marinade. Toss the chicken wings in the marinade, coating them evenly. Let them marinate for 30 minutes.
- Cook the Wings:
- Baking Method: Arrange the wings in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden brown and crispy.
- Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place wings in the basket in a single layer and cook for 18-22 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Garnish & Serve: Once cooked, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, place the wings on a wire rack while baking to allow air to circulate around them.
- If you prefer a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- You can marinate the wings for up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor. If short on time, 30 minutes is still great!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g