How to Make Delicious Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Looking for an easy and tasty recipe for chicken wings? Look no further than lemon pepper chicken wings! These wings are flavorful, tangy, and oh-so-tender. They’re perfect for game day, picnics, or just a party with friends. Best of all, you can make them in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients.

To get started, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need chicken wings, lemon juice, pepper, and butter. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Then, mix together your lemon juice and pepper in a bowl. Dip your chicken wings into the mixture, making sure to coat each one evenly. Place the wings onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re cooked through. Once they’re done, take them out of the oven and melt some butter in a separate pan. Brush the butter onto the wings and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients

To make lemon pepper chicken wings, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Chicken wings

Choose chicken wings that are fresh and not frozen. You can buy them at the grocery store or butcher and choose the ones that are medium-sized.

Lemon juice

You can use either freshly squeezed lemon juice or store-bought lemon juice. If you’re using fresh lemons, make sure to use a juicer to extract the juice.

Black pepper

Freshly ground black pepper works best for this recipe.

Salt

You’ll need salt to add flavor to the chicken wings.

Paprika

You can use either smoked or sweet paprika. This adds a nice smoky or sweet flavor to the chicken wings.

Garlic powder

Garlic powder adds a nice aroma and flavor to the chicken wings. You can use fresh garlic if you prefer.

Olive oil

You’ll need olive oil to coat the chicken wings before baking them.

Butter

Butter gives the chicken wings a rich, creamy flavor. Make sure it’s melted before using it.

Parsley

Fresh parsley adds color and flavor to the chicken wings. You can chop it finely and sprinkle it on top of the wings.

Hot sauce (optional)

If you like spicy food, you can add a few drops of hot sauce to the marinade.

Marinade

To make the marinade, mix the lemon juice, black pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce (if using) in a bowl. Add the chicken wings and mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the chicken wings will be.

Cooking

When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take the chicken wings out of the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. Coat them with olive oil and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until they’re golden brown and crispy.

Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the rest of the lemon juice and some black pepper. Mix well and remove from heat.

Tossing

When the chicken wings are cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Place them in a bowl and pour the lemon butter sauce over them. Toss well to coat. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve hot.

Variations

You can make different variations of lemon pepper chicken wings by adding different spices and herbs. Here are a few ideas:

Honey-Lemon Pepper Wings

Add honey to the marinade to make these wings sweet and tangy.

Cajun-Lemon Pepper Wings

Add Cajun seasoning to the marinade to make these wings spicy and savory.

Lemon Pepper Garlic Wings

Add minced garlic to the marinade to make these wings garlicky and flavorful.

Conclusion

Lemon pepper chicken wings are easy to make and delicious. They’re perfect for a party or a game day snack. You can adjust the level of spiciness and sweetness according to your liking. Serve them hot with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing. Enjoy!

Spicing Up Your Lemon Pepper Chicken

Lemon pepper chicken wings are undoubtedly delicious, but adding a little extra flavor can enhance the dish. With a few simple additions and spices, you can take your lemon pepper chicken wings to the next level. Here are some ways to add flavor to your lemon pepper chicken wings:

1. Garlic

Garlic and lemon pepper are a match made in heaven. Adding in some fresh garlic or garlic powder can add a savory kick to your chicken wings. Roast some garlic or crush it for a paste that you can add to your marinade for some depth of flavor.

2. Cayenne Pepper

If you like your chicken wings with a little heat, try adding cayenne pepper to your lemon pepper seasoning blend. This will give your wings a spicy kick that will tantalize your taste buds.

3. Paprika

Paprika adds a smoky flavor to your chicken wings that balances nicely with the tang of the lemon pepper. You can use sweet or smoked paprika to suit your taste.

4. Honey

For a sweet twist on your chicken wings, try incorporating honey. A honey glaze can add a sticky, sweet layer to your chicken wings that complements the lemon pepper seasoning.

5. Herbs

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley can add some earthy flavors to your chicken wings. Chop some fresh herbs and sprinkle them onto your wings before serving for some added color and aroma.

6. Soy Sauce

A splash of soy sauce can add a rich, umami flavor to your chicken wings. Mix it in with the lemon pepper seasoning and marinade your wings for an hour before cooking.

7. Vinegar

A dash of vinegar can add some acidity to your chicken wings and balance out the flavors. White wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar can be used for this purpose.

8. Lemon Zest

If you want to amp up the lemon flavor, try using lemon zest in addition to the lemon pepper seasoning. The zest will add some lemony fragrance to your dish that will make your mouth water.

9. Barbecue Sauce

Lemon pepper chicken wings can be delicious with some added barbecue sauce. The sweetness of the sauce can balance out the tang of the lemon pepper seasoning.

10. Cheese

Cheese can add a creamy and decadent element to your lemon pepper chicken wings. Blue cheese, ranch dressing, or parmesan cheese can be used to add some cheesy goodness to your wings.

With these additions, your lemon pepper chicken wings will be even more flavorful and irresistible. Try out some of these ideas to take your chicken wings to new heights.

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Making delicious lemon pepper chicken wings requires high-quality ingredients. Here are the ingredients you need to make juicy and flavorful wings:

1. Preparation
Before starting to marinade the chicken wings, you need to rinse them under cold water and pat them dry using paper towels. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

2. Marinade the Chicken Wings
Take a plastic bag, add the chicken wings, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Once you have all the ingredients in the bag, close it and shake the bag until all the wings are coated in the marinade. Place the bag with the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes or let it marinate overnight for best results.

3. Melt the Butter
Take a saucepan and melt the butter on medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the remaining marinade, and let it cook for 5 minutes until it thickens. Keep stirring the mixture until well-combined.

4. Bake the Wings
Take the marinated chicken wings out of the fridge and place them on the baking sheet. Use a brush to apply the sauce generously to the chicken wings. Bake the wings in the oven for 35-40 minutes until they are crispy and cooked through. Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.

5. Serve
Place the baked lemon pepper chicken wings on a plate and drizzle the remaining sauce on top. You can also serve them with your favorite dipping sauce. Your delicious lemon pepper chicken wings are ready to be served, enjoy!

Now you know how to make crispy and juicy lemon pepper chicken wings with a buttery garlic sauce. It’s a perfect appetizer for parties, game nights, or a night in with your family and friends. Give this recipe a try, and your guests will be amazed by your culinary skills!

That’s How You Make Delicious Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Now that you know how to make these wings, surprise your friends and family at your next gathering with this amazing dish. I hope you enjoyed reading this recipe and found it helpful. Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope you come back soon for more delicious recipes!