Description
Zesty crispy lemon pepper chicken wings bring bold Mediterranean flavors to your table with irresistible crunch. Tangy spices and golden-brown exterior promise a mouthwatering experience you’ll devour in moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 12 chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Liquids and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (optional)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace and gather all necessary equipment for crispy lemon pepper chicken wings preparation.
- Pat chicken wings thoroughly with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring maximum crispiness during cooking.
- Create a vibrant marinade by blending lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and olive oil into a smooth, aromatic mixture.
- Thoroughly coat chicken wings in the prepared marinade, massaging the seasonings into the meat to enhance flavor penetration.
- Allow wings to marinate at room temperature for 25-30 minutes, enabling spices to infuse deeply into the chicken.
- For oven method, arrange wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer without overcrowding, maintaining space between pieces.
- Bake wings at 400F (200C) for 30-35 minutes, rotating the tray midway to promote even browning and crispiness.
- For air fryer method, preheat appliance to 375F (190C) and arrange wings in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry wings for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure uniform crispness.
- Verify wings are fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165F (74C) and exterior appears golden and crispy.
- Transfer cooked wings to a serving platter, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and brightness.
- Accompany wings with fresh lemon wedges to allow guests to adjust citrus intensity according to preference.
Notes
- Ensure chicken wings are completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
- Marinate wings for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to deeply penetrate the meat, enhancing overall taste profile.
- For gluten-free option, verify all spice powders are certified gluten-free and use alternative olive oil if needed.
- Adjust cooking time based on wing size and individual oven/air fryer performance to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (Baking) or 20 minutes (Air Fryer)
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1216
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg