Description
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are crispy, flavorful chicken wings baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, sweet, and peppery honey lemon sauce. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or party snack, they combine the zest of fresh lemon juice and zest with the sweetness of honey and a kick of black pepper for an irresistible taste experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Wings and Coating
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Oil spray
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1–2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Wings: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) to get it hot and ready for baking.
- Dry the Wings: Thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to achieving a crispy texture during baking.
- Coat the Wings: In a large bowl, mix together potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the chicken wings in this mixture until they are evenly coated on all sides.
- Bake the Wings: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated wings in a single layer, ensuring each wing has space around it for even cooking.
- Adjust Temperature and Continue Baking: Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Bake the wings for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. When flipping, spray the wings lightly with oil again to enhance their crispiness.
- Make the Sauce: While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce by combining honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, butter, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir continuously and let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Set aside some sauce if you want extra for dipping.
- Coat the Wings in Sauce: When the wings are golden and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm honey lemon pepper sauce over the wings and toss thoroughly until they are evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the wings immediately while hot, with the reserved sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Patting the wings dry is key for crispy skin.
- Baking powder helps create a crispier texture without frying.
- Flipping and spraying with oil ensures even crispiness on both sides.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid burning the honey.
- Reserve some sauce if you prefer extra flavor on the side.
- These wings pair well with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
