Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Chicken wings are a versatile appetizer perfect for any occasion - whether it’s football season, a summer cookout, or a casual movie night. 

And one of my favorite chicken wing recipes is these honey lemon pepper wings. Their tangy-sweet flavor profile offers a unique twist on classic chicken wing flavors.

The key to these oven-baked wings lies in the baking powder coating. It helps achieve crispy, golden-brown skin while keeping the meat tender and moist.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best honey lemon pepper wings, including which ingredients to use, tips for success, and some of my favorite dishes to serve with this easy appetizer recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Crispy- The baking powder coating gives these honey lemon pepper chicken wings a perfectly crispy texture.
• Sweet & Tangy- Sweet honey pairs with tangy lemon for a truly unique chicken wing glaze.
• Ready in 1 Hour- Preparing the glaze while the chicken wings bake means this appetizer is ready in under an hour.
• Great for Parties- Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, summer cookout, or a movie night in, these honey-glazed chicken wings are sure to be a crowd favorite.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Chicken Wings- Choose high-quality, fresh chicken wings for the best flavor and texture. Split the chicken wings into drums and flats and remove the wing tips.
• Baking Powder- Baking powder is the secret ingredient for achieving a crispy texture on the wings. Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid a metallic taste.
• Lemon- Both fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are used in the glaze to give these wings a bright, lemony flavor.
• Honey- Lends a sweet, honey flavor to the wings and gives the glaze a glossy appearance.
• Black Pepper- Opt for freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavor.
• Olive Oil- Cooking the garlic and lemon zest in oil helps release their aromatic oils.
• Garlic- Adds a savory, garlic flavor to the honey lemon pepper sauce.
• Garlic Powder- Seasons the chicken wings and gives them a garlicky flavor. 
• Cornstarch- Used to thicken the glaze.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Save the wing tips to make homemade chicken stock. Freeze them until you have enough for a batch.

Substitutions

• Chicken Wings- Swap bone-in chicken wings for boneless chicken tenders if preferred.
• Baking Powder- Substitute baking powder for up to ½ teaspoon of baking soda or omit it completely.
• Lemon- Use lime juice or orange juice in place of lemon if preferred.
• Honey- Replace honey with hot honey for a spicy version. Or use maple syrup or brown sugar for a different flavor profile.
• Black Pepper- Swap black pepper for cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Olive Oil- Use butter or any neutral-flavored oil you prefer.
• Garlic- Replace the fresh garlic clove in the glaze with ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Seasonings- The garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt in the chicken wing seasoning mix can be substituted with lemon pepper seasoning.
• Cornstarch- Substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch.

How to Make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Here is how to make this honey lemon pepper wings recipe.

Prepare the Chicken Wings

Step 1: Prepare the baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Brush the wire rack with olive oil and set aside.

Step 2: Dry the wings. Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Make the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, whisk together baking powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken wings and toss until evenly coated.

Step 4: Bake the chicken wings. Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on the wire rack. Bake for 40 minutes, turning them halfway through. While they bake, move on to making the glaze.

Prepare the Glaze

Step 5: Prepare the honey-lemon glaze. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and lemon zest, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in honey, salt, and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Thicken the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and lemon juice to make a slurry. Slowly whisk this into the glaze, simmering for an additional 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 7: Coat the wings. Once the chicken wings are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared honey-lemon glaze over the wings and toss until they are thoroughly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Dry the wings thoroughly. Pat dry the chicken wings completely with a paper towel before seasoning to help achieve a crispy texture during baking.
• Use a wire rack. Baking the wings on a wire rack allows air to circulate around them, promoting even cooking and crispiness.
• Line the pan for easy cleanup. Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil before adding the wire rack for easy cleanup.
• Don’t overcrowd the wings. Spread the wings out in a single, even layer on the baking sheet to prevent overcrowding. Overcrowding the wings will prevent them from getting crispy.
• Serve immediately. For the crispiest, freshest wings, serve them immediately after tossing with the glaze.

What to Serve with Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

From game day feasts to backyard summer parties, these crispy honey lemon pepper wings are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re hosting a party for game day, these honey-glazed chicken wings pair perfectly with other appetizers like nachos, buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke dip, cheesy broccoli bites, guacamole, and salsa.

For a cookout, serve these tangy wings alongside summer favorites such as pasta salad, potato salad, grain salad, black bean salad, and Caesar salad. Comfort foods, like macaroni and cheese, cornbread, mashed potatoes, potato wedges, and garlic bread, also pair well with baked chicken wings.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store leftover honey lemon chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer- For longer storage, freeze leftover baked chicken wings in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat

For best results, thaw frozen chicken wings before reheating.

• Oven- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the wings in a single layer on a greased foil-lined baking sheet. Reheat the chicken wings for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Air Fryer- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through. Check the wings every few minutes to ensure they’re not overcooking.
• Microwave- Transfer leftover chicken wings to a microwave-safe plate. Cover them loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave on half power (50%) in one-minute increments until fully warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

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