Description
Crispy, juicy baked chicken wings with a tangy lemon-pepper glaze. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality crunch without the grease, using a simple dry-rub technique with baking powder for maximum crispiness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken wings (whole wings, drumette and flat connected)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Pat chicken wings completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Place dried wings in a large bowl and sprinkle with baking powder and salt. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Place wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a wire rack and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange wings on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the wings.
- Continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While wings bake, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Remove butter from heat and whisk in lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and parsley until smooth.
- Remove wings from oven and toss immediately in the lemon pepper glaze while still hot.
- Return glazed wings to the baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and dipping sauce.
Notes
Patting the wings dry is crucial for crispiness. Do not use baking soda as it will leave a soapy taste. If not using a wire rack, flip wings halfway through baking. Glaze wings while they are still hot to help the sauce stick. Avoid microwaving leftovers as it makes the skin soggy; reheat in oven or air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 wings per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: baked chicken wings, lemon pepper wings, crispy chicken wings, healthy takeout alternative, easy dinner, game day food