Description
Achieve perfectly crispy and flavorful baked lemon garlic chicken wings without deep frying! These wings are marinated in a zesty lemon-garlic blend, baked to golden perfection, and then tossed in a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce. An irresistible appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
2 lbs (approx. 1kg) chicken wings (drumettes and flats, tips removed)
2 tbsp olive oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 tsp lemon zest (from 1 fresh lemon)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, then place a wire rack on top. This setup promotes air circulation for crispy wings.
Step 2: Thoroughly pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin. If using whole wings, separate them into drumettes and flats.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the dried chicken wings with olive oil, 3 cloves of minced garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure all wings are evenly coated.
Step 4: Arrange the marinated chicken wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack, ensuring they do not touch. Overcrowding will steam the wings instead of baking them crispy.
Step 5: Bake for 25 minutes. Flip the wings and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
Step 6: While the wings bake, prepare the finishing sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, fresh lemon juice, the remaining 1-2 cloves of minced garlic, fresh minced parsley, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 7: Once baked, remove the crispy wings from the oven. Transfer them to a large clean bowl. Pour the lemon-garlic finishing sauce over the hot wings and toss gently to coat evenly.
Step 8: Serve immediately with extra fresh parsley and lemon wedges for garnish. Enjoy your delicious baked lemon garlic chicken wings!
Notes
For extra crispy wings, consider adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder (not baking soda!) to the dry chicken wings before tossing with olive oil and spices. The baking powder helps to draw out moisture and creates a crispier skin.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg