Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Crispy baked wings tossed in bright lemon pepper butter. Game day essential.

Edited by Brian Kaplan·Last updated April 12, 2026

1 hr4 servingseasy4.8
📋 Add to Menu📅 Meal Plan
~$2.50/serving

Servings

Est. total: $10.00 · $2.50/serving

Cost estimates are approximate and vary by location, store, season, and brand. Actual prices may differ.

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Ingredients

  • 3 lb chicken wings
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Pat wings completely dry with paper towels.

    3 lb chicken wings

    Dry wings = crispy wings. Don't skip this step.

  2. 2

    Toss wings with baking powder, salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Arrange in a single layer on the wire rack.

    1 tbsp baking powder1 tsp salt1 tsp black pepper1 tsp garlic powder

    Baking powder draws moisture out and creates an ultra-crispy skin.

  3. 3

    Bake for 25 minutes, then flip wings and bake another 20 minutes until skin is golden and crispy, internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  4. 4

    While wings bake, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining 1 tsp black pepper. Stir and remove from heat.

    4 tbsp unsalted butter2 tbsp lemon zest3 tbsp lemon juice1 tsp black pepper
  5. 5

    Toss hot wings in the lemon pepper butter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

    2 tbsp fresh parsley

Pairs With

🍷Sauvignon Blanc$

Crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Citrus notes mirror the lemon pepper seasoning

🍺Wheat Beer$

Belgian-style witbier with orange peel and coriander

Light citrus character complements without overwhelming

🍸Ranch Water$$

Tequila, lime, Topo Chico

Clean and refreshing against the rich buttery wings

Make It Yours

Tap a dietary need to see exactly what to swap.

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Cooking Soundtrack

Classic ComfortFeel-Good Americana

Easy-going rock, country, and the kind of music that pairs with burgers and cold beer.

Zach BryanTom PettyThe LumineersJohn Prine

Nutrition

480
Calories
38
Proteing
2
Carbsg
35
Fatg

Per serving. Estimated values. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice.

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Tips

  • Use a wire rack so air circulates under the wings for even crispiness.
  • For extra lemon punch, add more zest to the butter sauce.

Substitutions

  • unsalted butterghee for dairy-free
  • fresh parsleyfresh chives

Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes to re-crisp.

Leftover Ideas

Shred and add to a Caesar saladChop into fried rice

Nutrition values are estimates calculated per serving and may vary based on brand, preparation method, and serving size. Not a substitute for professional dietary or medical advice. Consult a registered dietitian for specific nutritional needs.

Allergen Notice: Recipes may contain or come into contact with major allergens including milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. Always verify ingredient labels for allergen information specific to the brands you use.

Drink pairing suggestions are for adults of legal drinking age only. Please drink responsibly.

Food Safety: Follow USDA safe minimum internal temperatures: Poultry 165°F (74°C), Ground meats 165°F (74°C), Beef/pork/lamb steaks 145°F (63°C) with 3-min rest, Fish 145°F (63°C). Use an instant-read thermometer — do not rely on visual cues alone. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Ingredient Guides

Learn more about the ingredients in this recipe — where to find them, how to pick them, and what to substitute.