If you love lemon pepper wings but wish they had a little more kick, these sticky sweet lemon pepper chicken wings are for you. They start with a bold lemon pepper seasoning and get tossed in a glossy, sweet-and-tangy sauce that clings to every crispy bite.
This recipe is easy to make at home and delivers that crave-worthy wing joint flavor. The wings come out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sauce that balances sweetness with a zesty citrus punch. It’s the kind of appetizer or game day snack that disappears fast.
I use my Typhur Dome air fryer for wings because it has a flat basket and dual heating elements that help the wings cook evenly and super fast. You can get one here: https://bit.ly/4pkDMc6. Use Discount code TYPHDNAS!
Helpful Tips
- Bake or air fry for crispiness: Toss the wings in a little oil and either bake at 425°F or air fry for 25-30 minutes. This gives them a golden, crispy texture without deep frying.
- Use fresh lemon zest: It really brightens up the flavor and gives the seasoning a fresh citrus aroma that bottled lemon juice can’t match.
- Let the sauce thicken: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes to let it reduce slightly. It should coat the back of a spoon before you toss it with the wings.
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon + zest
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Put the chicken wings in a bowl and add the oil, cornstarch, paprika, garlic and onion powders, salt and pepper. Mix together well with your hands until the chicken is well coated.
- Place the wings in the air fryer, spaced out, and spray with cooking oil.
- Air fryer at 385° F for 16-20 minutes, flipping half way through, and spraying again on the other side. Chicken is done when it reaches 165° F internal temperature.
- For the lemon pepper sauce, combine the butter, soy sauce, garlic black pepper, lemon juice, and honey in a pot and cook until it’s slightly reduced and syrupy.
- Garnish with lemon zest and fresh cilantro.
Equipment Needed
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.