Whether for Game Day noshing, or a side entree for dinner, these honey lemon pepper wings are a winner. From the sweet honey combined with zesty and fragrant lemon, to the kick of black pepper - all brought together in crisp, juicy perfection for a finger licking touchdown.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
These honey lemon pepper wings are packed full of lip-smacking flavor that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. The perfect combination of honey, lemon, and pepper make these wings both delectable and unique - plus they couldn’t be simpler to make.
Jump to:
Ingredients
You can use a store bought lemon pepper seasoning blend, or make your own using our recipe for the BEST Lemon Pepper Seasoning. If you make your own, you can control the amount of salt in it, which for some is very important.
For the Wings:
- Chicken Wings - with drumettes and flats separated from the wing tips.
- Cornstarch
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning - We have the BEST Lemon Pepper Seasoning recipe!
- Baking Powder - Be sure to use baking powder, not baking soda!
- Salt
- Vegetable oil - any vegetable oil.
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
- Butter - Melted.
- Lemon Zest - fresh from one lemon. Zest the lemon, then juice the lemon.
- Lemon Juice - use the juice from the lemon you zested.
- Honey - any kind.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning blend - use the recipe linked above or what you already have.
- Garlic powder - or finely minced fresh garlic.
- Salt
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Packed with tantalizing flavors, these honey lemon pepper wings will be the star of any meal, and they couldn't be easier to make. Follow along with our instructions for a platter of delicious wings that is sure to simply disappear!
Season the Chicken Wings
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, or aluminum foil, and spray with non stick spray.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken wing drumettes and flats with paper towels.
- Add the oil to a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken wings and spin them so they get just a light coating of oil on them.
- Add the cornstarch, baking powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and the salt to a gallon size ziplock bag.
- Transfer the wings in the bowl to the bag with the seasonings. Seal bag and toss contents to coat oiled wings.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Spread Wings Out On A Baking Sheet
- Spread the seasoned chicken wings out on the prepared baking sheet. I use a rack on top so the wings get nice and crispy on all side. See equipment notes for the link to a set of two rimmed baking sheets and one rack!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Bake Chicken Wings Until Golden
- Bake wings in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. Check one of the fattest wings with a thermometer to see if the internal temperature of 165 F.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Spin Chicken Wings in Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
- While the wings are baking, prepare the honey lemon pepper sauce by whisking the melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and salt together.
- When the wings are ready, spin or toss them in the honey lemon pepper sauce. Serve immediately with any left over sauce served on the side in a dipping bowl.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
These versatile honey lemon pepper wings can be served as an entrée alongside mashed potatoes and veggies or as a tailgate favorite at your next football gathering - either way they'll delight everyone who takes a bite!
So preheat the oven and get ready to enjoy some heavenly home cooking - it's time for honey lemon pepper wings!
For more game day appetizers and entree's, see our Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Pinwheel Sandwiches, Bonchon Soy Garlic Chicken Wings, Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings , and Buttermilk Ranch Air Fried Potato Wedges.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
If you can substitute chicken legs or chicken thighs for another option, if you'd rather have another type of Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken.
Variations
Enjoy a few sensational variations to this recipe with just a few changes:
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings - See our easy recipe for making Buffalo Chicken wings with your Instant Pot!
- Soy Garlic Chicken Wings - See our easy recipe for making Soy Garlic Chicken Wings.
- Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken - Use this honey lemon pepper sauce recipe for chicken legs, chicken thighs, or even chicken breasts.
- Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs - For a more garlicky blast, add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the bag of cornstarch and lemon pepper seasoning. Add fresh minced garlic to the honey lemon pepper sauce and simmer it on low.
- Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce - Make just the sauce for using on pork chops, or fish!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
Storage
Store any left over chicken wings in a covered container in the refrigerator. Reheat for 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave, or cover with aluminum foil and reheat at 250 F in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
Tips for Success
- The cornstarch and baking powder helps create a crispy finish on these baked chicken wings. It's the secret to crispy!
- If you don't have a thermometer, pierce the fattest chicken wing drumette and make sure the juices run clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toss the wings with seasoning and cornstarch before baking, then spin again after baking with the finishing sauce. Use leftover sauce for dipping.
Coat them in cornstarch, seasoning blend, and aluminum-free baking powder (NOT baking soda). Let them dry out for several hours. Bake them on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.
📖 Recipe
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- 4 lbs Chicken Wings with drumettes and flats separated from the wing tips.
- 4 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon baking powder not baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Honey Lemon Sauce
- 1 cup Butter melted
- 1 lemon zest from one lemon
- 1 lemon juice from the zested lemon
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, or aluminum foil, and spray with non stick spray.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken wing drumettes and flats with paper towels.4 lbs Chicken Wings
- Add the oil to a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken wings and spin them so they get just a light coating of oil on them.2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Add the cornstarch, baking powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and the salt to a gallon size ziplock bag.4 tablespoon cornstarch, 4 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Transfer the wings in the bowl to the bag with the seasonings. Seal bag and toss contents to coat oiled wings.
- Spread the seasoned chicken wings out on the prepared baking sheet. I use a rack on top so the wings get nice and crispy on all side.
- Bake wings in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. Check one of the fattest wings with a thermometer to see if the internal temperature of 165 F.
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
- While the wings are baking, prepare the honey lemon pepper sauce by whisking the melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, honey, garlic powder, and salt together.1 cup Butter, 1 lemon zest, 1 lemon juice, 2 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- When the wings are ready, spin or toss them in the honey lemon pepper sauce. Serve immediately with any left over sauce served on the side in a dipping bowl.
Notes
- The cornstarch and baking powder helps create a crispy finish on these baked chicken wings. It's the secret to crispy!
- If you don't have a thermometer, pierce the fattest chicken wing drumette and make sure the juices run clear.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning - We have the BEST Lemon Pepper Seasoning recipe! You can make it with no salt if you need a salt free lemon pepper seasoning.
- If your store bought Lemon Pepper Seasoning is heavy on salt, hold off on the recipe salt until you taste the baked wings.
Nutrition
Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!
Leave a Reply