Fall in love with the irresistible taste of these lemon pepper chicken wings. They are juicy, flavorful, and simply addictive.

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Whether you're hosting a party or simply craving a delicious snack, these tasty chicken wings are the way to go. They are versatile enough to be served as an appetizer or can take center stage as a mouthwatering main dish.
The meat is coated in a combination of butter and lemon with aromatic pepper to create a burst of flavors that is both refreshing and addictive. It's sure to become one of your favorite chicken wing recipes.
Reasons to Love
- Bold Flavors: The zesty tanginess of the lemon perfectly complements the heat from the black pepper, creating a harmonious blend of tastes that explode in your mouth with every bite.
- Versatile Delight: Serve them as an appetizer to kick off any gathering on a high note or make them the star of your meal by pairing them with crispy fries and coleslaw. Their adaptability makes them suitable for any occasion.
- Easy-to-Make: With just a handful of key components, you can whip up a batch of lemon pepper wings that will impress even the most demanding food critics.
Ingredients
With just a few essential ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delectable wings in no time.
Here's what you'll need to make the recipe:
- chicken wings
- butter
- fresh lemon juice
- lemon pepper seasoning
- minced garlic
- fresh chopped parsley
- salt and pepper
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Ready to make lemon pepper wings? Once you've gathered the ingredients, just follow these simple step-by-step directions.
Season the wings with salt and pepper to taste.
Place them into a well-greased pan or rack.
Cook for 15 minutes, and then flip and continue to cook for another 15 minutes or until cooked through and crispy.
Melt the butter in a large bowl. Add minced garlic.
Add the lemon pepper seasoning.
Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice.
Place the air-fried or baked wings into the lemon pepper sauce and toss to coat well. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Hint: Make the lemon pepper butter sauce in a large bowl so you'll have enough room to add the wings and toss.
Variations
There are so many ways you can change up the recipe. Here are just a few ideas you can try:
- Honey - Add a hint of honey. The sweetness of the honey complements the tanginess of the lemon. Simply squeeze a little honey in with the lemon juice.
- Spice - Add some heat with chili flakes or hot sauce. The spicy and tangy flavors create a flavor kick to take it up a notch.
- Bake - If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet instead of simply placing them directly on the pan or tray. This allows air to circulate all around the wings, promoting even browning and ensuring they remain crispy throughout. Baked chicken wings just take a little longer to cook.
You can even air fry chicken wings from frozen.
Tips
Top tip: Before seasoning or coating the chicken wings, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the wings cook more evenly and produces crispier skin.
- Use fresh lemon zest instead of pre-packaged lemon pepper seasoning. By using fresh zest, you can control the intensity of the lemon flavor and avoid any artificial additives that may be present in store-bought seasonings. Simply grate some lemon peel directly onto your chicken wings along with freshly ground black pepper for a zingy and aromatic twist.
- Season well: Season the chicken wings with your favorite spices and herbs. You can use a dry rub or marinade them for a few hours (or even overnight) to enhance the flavors.
- Preheat the air fryer: Always preheat your air fryer before cooking the chicken wings. This ensures that the hot air starts circulating immediately and promotes even cooking.
- Don't overcrowd: Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results.
- Shake or flip the wings: Midway through the cooking process, shake the air fryer basket or flip the wings to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Use a cooking spray: Use a light cooking spray to help crisp up the skin and prevent sticking.
- Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken wing. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).
Serving suggestions
To elevate the flavors of your lemon pepper wings, pair them with creamy dips or fresh salads. The combination of zesty lemon pepper seasoning with cool and creamy accompaniments creates a delightful contrast that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Honey mustard or teriyaki sauce are popular dipping choices. For something spicier, try a buffalo wing sauce. For added freshness, serve carrot sticks, celery stalks, or bell pepper strips on the side.
Storage
Once cooled, place the air-fried or baked lemon pepper wings in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the container or bag before sealing it.
For best results, you can also wrap each wing individually in foil before placing them in the container or bag. This will help prevent them from sticking together and preserve their flavor and texture. Store the wings in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you're ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat the wings in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This will help crisp up the skin and warm them up without drying out the meat.
Related Recipes
Looking for a few more tasty appetizer recipes to try? Here are some our of favorites:
- Lil smokies with bacon will be the star of any gathering.
- Carne asada quesadillas will satisfy a craving for Mexican flavors.
- Panko popcorn chicken is crispy and flavorful.
- Air fryer shrimp skewers are quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible.
- Bacon-wrapped pineapple bites combine two delicious flavors.
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Recipe
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice about 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon Lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Fresh chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (or oven to 425°F.)
- Season the wings with salt and pepper to taste, and place into a well greased pan or rack.
- Cook for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes oven), and then flip and continue to cook for another 15 minutes (or 20 minutes oven) or until cooked through and crispy.
- Melt the butter in a small bowl.
- Add in the lemon, lemon pepper seasoning and minced garlic.
- Place the wings into a large mixing bowl, and pour the sauce over them. Toss to coat well.
- Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Sharon
My hubby loves chicken wings so I made these for him last night and they were a hit! Great tip about making sure they have a bit of room between them - they turned out so crispy!
Jessica
I found another family favorite from your blog! This was a winning recipe in my house. I also make your air fryer potato wedges and they never fail to please.
Emilie
Love lemon pepper wings but typically only have made them with a dry rub. The lemon butter sauce is such a nice addition. Thanks for the easy to follow instructions!!
Jenny J
Chicken wings are my favorite in the fall with football season it's one of my favorite foods for tailgating. I love that you use fresh lemon juice on the chicken wings, I will be trying this recipe out this fall!
F McN
these were really good and easy to make !!!
Devy
I love how easy it is to make these wings. Made them when my friend came around as a part of our light lunch. The wings came out so tasty.
Sage Scott
We eat a lot of chicken at our house, and yet I hadn't tried lemon pepper chicken wings until this recipe. What a fast, easy, and delicious way to make an alpha-gal friendly protein-packed dish. Yum!
Sue
Why have I never tried lemon pepper on wings before? These were easy and so tasty! I'm adding this to my rotation for game day meals!
Anne
These were so good, especially with the addition of the garlic. I love how crispy the air fryer makes wings!
Rachna
Lemon pepper is my favourite seasoning that goes so well on wings. loved making them in my air fryer.
Ksenia
I made your lemon pepper chicken wings, and they're amazing! The zesty flavor and crispy texture are a perfect combination. Your instructions were easy to follow. Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe – it's definitely a crowd-pleaser and a new favorite in my kitchen!
Chichi
This was delicious! We doubled the recipe and it turned out so good. Will make this often.
claud
I love all things lemon flavoured and these wings were top notch! they were so crispy yet nice and juicy on the inside. I followed your tip and used honey mustard for the dip which was great for a nice sweet and tangy combo.
Claire
These had so much flavor.
I used some extra lemon zest like you suggested and the wings were amazing!
The kids loved them and I liked the lack of sticky sauce as I am just not a fan.
But this recipe was just perfect 🙂
THANK YOU