Description
Crispy honey lemon pepper wings blend sweet, tangy, and zesty flavors for an irresistible appetizer straight from Southern kitchens. Perfectly seasoned wings offer a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken wings
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) honey
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or wire rack to ensure even cooking and crisp wing surfaces.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken wings, removing excess moisture for optimal crispiness.
- Create a vibrant glaze by whisking honey, lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
- Generously coat each wing with the prepared glaze, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Position wings on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between pieces to promote even heat circulation.
- Roast wings in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 40-45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking to ensure uniform browning.
- Reapply additional glaze during midpoint cooking to enhance moisture and caramelization.
- Verify wings are fully cooked with internal temperature reaching 165°F and exterior appearing golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow brief resting period to stabilize juices.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over wings for aromatic garnish and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately with reserved glaze on the side for optional extra dipping.
Notes
- Ensure wings are completely dry before seasoning to achieve crispy, golden-brown skin that locks in maximum flavor.
- Experiment with alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or agave for different dietary needs or flavor profiles.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for a brighter, more vibrant citrus punch that elevates the entire dish’s taste complexity.
- Allow wings to rest for 5 minutes after baking to help retain moisture and prevent the meat from becoming tough or dry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg