Welcome to the party where we've got some crispy oven baked chicken wings with the best lemon pepper seasoning waiting for you! These babies are brimming with lemon pepper goodness, and guess what? They won't break the bank!
These chicken wings are a great appetizer, snack, or even a full-on meal. The homemade seasoning uses fresh lemon zest and is highly flavorful, but of couse you can use store-bought seasoning if you're short on time!
This recipe was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2025 with lots more recipe tips, serving suggestions, and how-tos!
Get ready to wing it with these lemon pepper chicken wings! We're talkin' homemade seasoning, and baked to crispy perfection in the oven.
These wings are so versatile, you can enjoy them solo or dip them in your favorite wing sauce. So sit back, relax, and let's get clucking!
You may know that I love all things lemon. Try these dinner recipes that also use fresh lemons Lemon Garlic Pasta, Lemon Pepper Chicken and Asparagus Foil Packets, and Red Snapper with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce!
Why You'll Love These Baked Wings
This recipe uses homemade lemon pepper seasoning. Lemon zest is the key ingredient and when combined with crushed peppercorns creates a fantastic bold flavor!
Baking is the easiest method for crispy wings! There's definitely less mess and no frying equipment to drag out. And there's no need to hover over the wings while they cook.
Versatile seasoning. I always have enough lemon pepper seasoning left over for later, and I've used it on pork chops as well. These wings are quite addictive!
Ingredients with Notes
Only 5 ingredients are needed for these Crispy Baked Chicken Wings; some you probably already have on hand.
- Wings - you'll need about 4 pounds - remove the pesky tips.
- Lemons - fresh lemon zest is abundant with flavor! It's worth the time to make it from scratch.
- Black peppercorns - you'll grind fresh crushed peppercorns with the dried lemon zest! Short on time? Use pre-ground course pepper!
Ingredient Substitutions
I really want you to try my homemade lemon pepper seasoning! But life happens and you already have store-bought on hand. So, for the store-bought version, use 1-2 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning, and bake as directed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Here's a short summary of the recipe steps. See the recipe card for full instructions! If you're using store-bought seasoning, skip to Step 3!
Step 1: Bake the lemon zest - This can be done a day or two in advance. Remove the zest from each lemon with a citrus zester and spread it in on parchment paper on a baking sheet. You'll bake it for about 45 minutes on the lowest oven temp.
Step 2: Make the lemon pepper seasoning - Add dried lemon zest, salt, and crushed peppercorns to a spice grinder and blend.
Step 3: Toss the chicken wings with olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon-pepper seasoning in a large bowl.
Step 4: Arrange seasoned chicken wings in a single layer on rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Flip the wings and bake for another 20-25 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the wings from oven and serve with sliced celery and blue cheese or ranch dressing, if desired.
Tips for Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Dry the chicken wings thoroughly: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels before seasoning and baking them. This will help the skin to crisp up in the oven.
- Turn the wings halfway through: To ensure even cooking, flip the chicken wings over halfway through the cooking process.
- Broil for extra crispiness: For extra crispy wings, broil them for a couple of minutes at the end of the cooking time, being careful not to burn them.
- Let them rest: Allow the chicken wings to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat and prevent them from becoming dry.
What to Serve with Chicken Wings
Sides
- Crispy Fried Potatoes: Made in a cast iron skillet for a hearty, crunchy side.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try a mix of broccoli, carrots, and Brussels sprouts—light but flavorful!
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and comforting—perfect to balance the zestiness of the wings.
- Celery & Carrot Sticks: A fresh, crunchy classic with ranch or blue cheese for dipping.
- Coleslaw: Tangy and refreshing, it complements the bold lemon pepper flavor.
Dips and Sauces
Here are a few sauces that complement lemon pepper chicken wings without overpowering them:
- Lemon Dill Sauce: Fresh flavor with another delicious layer of lemon flavor.
- Ranch Dressing: Cool and creamy for the win.
- Honey Mustard: Sweet and tangy, a fun twist.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a mild heat and sweetness, making the lemon pepper pop.
Other Cuts of Poultry to Use
This recipe is fantastic with other cuts of poultry!
Drumsticks (legs) and thighs are meatier and preferred by people who find wings too small. Bake drumsticks or thighs at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until the internal temp is 165°F.
Boneless wings or strips for those who want meat only! Toss in the same seasonings, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400°F.
Turkey wings can be fun, too. They will take longer to cook (around 45-60 minutes), but the flavors work beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thawed is the preferred method. But if the wings are frozen, you can thaw them in the refrigerator, in the microwave, or in a bowl of cold water. Here are 3 methods to thaw frozen chicken wings.
Place a little water in the bottom of the baking sheet under the rack to catch drippings, which prevents them from burning.
Reheat wings in a 375°F oven on a wire rack for about 10 minutes to crisp them back up. Skip the microwave unless you’re okay with softer skin.
What to do with leftover lemons after zesting
One large lemon can have 2-3 tablespoons of juice. Since we only use the zest for this recipe, save the juice and use it in your tea or add to your water. Or make a single serving lemonade!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover baked chicken wings in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids (affiliate link) from Bayco.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
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If you tried this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment! I'd love to hear from you.
Recipe
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Equipment
- citrus zester
- spice grinder
- rimmed sheet pan
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Chicken wings, tips removed and patted dry
- 4-5 Large lemons, zested
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to warm (lowest setting). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Wash the lemons and pat them dry. Remove zest from each lemon with a citrus zester. A good zester will remove all the yellow and none of the bitter white layer.
- Evenly spread out the zest on the sheet pan, and place it on the middle rack in the oven. After 20 minutes, remove pan from oven and toss to make sure zest is drying evenly. Return the pan to the oven for about 25-30 minutes until thoroughly dried, then remove from the oven.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Add the dried lemon zest to a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or small food processor. Add the salt and black peppercorns. Grind ingredients until thoroughly blended. Taste test and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon-pepper seasoning.
- Place the wings in a single layer on rimmed baking sheet without overcrowding them. (If desired, line with parchment paper for easy clean up, and use a wire rack on top of the baking sheet for extra crispy wings). Bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn wings over and bake another 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Serve with sliced celery and your favorite dipping sauce, if desired. Ranch or blue cheese are great options!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2025.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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