Description
Zesty hot honey lemon pepper wings bring Southern comfort and bold flavor to your table. Crispy, tangy, and perfectly balanced, these wings deliver a mouthwatering experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 pounds (1.81 kilograms) chicken wings (thawed)
Lemon Pepper Dry Rub:
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) fresh lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 grams) kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) food grade citric acid
Hot Honey Lemon Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) hot sauce (Frank’s Red)
- 1/2 cup (170 grams) honey
- 3/4 teaspoon (3.75 grams) kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) red pepper chili flakes
Instructions
- Create a zesty lemon pepper seasoning by blending lemon zest, black pepper, kosher salt, dark brown sugar, garlic powder, and citric acid in a mixing bowl.
- Thoroughly coat thawed chicken wings with the prepared dry rub, ensuring even distribution of the spice mixture.
- For grilling, brush grates with oil and cook wings at high heat for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165F. Alternatively, bake wings on a wire rack at 400F for 30-40 minutes, achieving a crispy exterior.
- Craft a vibrant hot honey lemon sauce by whisking together melted butter, hot sauce, honey, kosher salt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper chili flakes.
- Generously coat the crispy wings in the prepared sauce, garnishing with additional lemon zest for extra brightness.
- Preserve leftover wings in an airtight container, refrigerating for up to 4 days or freezing for 4 months.
- Revive refrigerated wings by pan-frying with a touch of oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, maintaining optimal flavor and crispiness.
- For alternative reheating, use an air fryer at 350F for 2-3 minutes or oven-bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring wings remain succulent and crisp.
Notes
- Customize the dry rub by adjusting spice levels to suit personal taste preferences.
- Ensure wings are patted dry before applying the dry rub for maximum flavor absorption and crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165F without overcooking.
- Replace hot sauce with milder options like sriracha or sweet chili sauce for those with lower spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 358 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg