Are you looking for a tasty and easy-to-make appetizer or main dish sure to impress? Try these delicious Lemon Chicken Wings!
Marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, sake, and brown sugar, these wings are baked to perfection and then coated in a tangy and sweet lemon garlic sauce.
Whether hosting a party or looking for a quick and satisfying meal, these wings will surely be a hit. So fire up your oven and get ready to enjoy this delicious recipe!
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Chicken Wings: This is the main ingredient in the recipe and provides the protein for the dish. The chicken wings are marinated and then baked until crispy and golden brown.
- Kosher Salt: This ingredient is used to season the chicken wings and enhance their flavor. It also helps to tenderize the meat by breaking down its fibers.
- Ground Black Pepper: Like Kosher salt, black pepper is used to season the chicken wings and give them a bit of heat. The Lemon Chicken Wings also has a slightly floral and spicy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the recipe.
For the Marinade:
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is a critical ingredient in the marinade for chicken wings. It helps create a crispy, golden-brown texture on the outside of the wings while keeping them tender and juicy.
- Japanese Sake, Mirin, or Rice Vinegar: These ingredients provide acidity to the marinade. They help break down the proteins in the chicken wings and infuse them with flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a critical component of the marinade. It provides a salty and umami flavor that complements the other ingredients. It helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Granulated Sugar: The sugar in the marinade adds a touch of sweetness that helps balance the saltiness and acidity of the other ingredients. It also helps to create a caramelized, crispy texture on the outside of the wings when baked.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a staple ingredient in many marinades. It adds a savory and slightly pungent flavor to chicken wings. It also has antimicrobial properties that help preserve the meat and prevent spoilage.
For the Lemon sauce:
- Olive Oil or Canola Oil: The oil is used to cook garlic and ginger for the lemon sauce. It also adds a subtle flavor and helps prevent sticking.
- Garlic: Garlic is an essential flavor component in the lemon sauce, providing a savory and pungent flavor. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to boost the immune system.
- Ginger: Ginger adds a spicy and slightly sweet flavor to the lemon sauce. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to aid digestion.
- Red Pepper Flakes: The red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the lemon sauce, kicking it. The amount used can be adjusted to taste.
- Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper is used to season the lemon sauce and add depth to the flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The lemon juice is the star of the show in the lemon sauce, providing a bright and tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the honey.
- Lemon Zest: The zest from the lemons adds a citrusy aroma and flavor to the lemon sauce. It also contains essential oils that can help to boost the immune system.
- Rice Vinegar: The rice vinegar adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the lemon sauce and helps balance out the acidity of the lemon juice.
- Honey: Honey is used to sweeten the lemon sauce and balance out the tartness of the lemon juice. It also helps to create a thick, sticky glaze on the chicken wings.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickener for the lemon sauce. It helps create a smooth and glossy texture and gives the sauce some body.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Wings
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
In a large zip-lock bag, combine chicken wings and all the marinade ingredients. Massage a few times to disperse the marinade evenly. *(Try to squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag.)
Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a baking rack on top. Lightly spray cooking oil on the rack to prevent sticking.
Align the marinated lemon chicken wings on the rack, skin side up. Sprinkle kosher salt and ground black pepper onto the wings. Flip and do the same on the other side.
Place wings on the middle rack and bake at 450 F for about 45 minutes or until fully cooked and charred. *(Finish them off under the broiler for crisper skin).😉
For the Lemon sauce:
While baking the wings, prepare the lemon glaze. In a small saucepan pan, heat oil until warm. Add garlic and ginger. Cook and stir until fragrant. Then, add lemon juice, rice vinegar, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and honey. Cook until simmering.
In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch starch and 4 tablespoons of water until fully dissolved. Then, swirl it into the sauce. Stir to combine and remove the pan from the stove.
When the lemon chicken wings are ready, remove them from the oven and bathe in the lemon garlic sauce. Serve hot. Enjoy!!!😋🍻
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of wings?
You can use chicken thighs instead of wings. However, adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs take longer than wings.
Can I use other types of vinegar besides rice vinegar?
You can use other types of vinegar, such as apple cider or white vinegar, but the flavor may differ slightly.
Can I make the lemon chicken wings in an air fryer?
You can make these wings in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the wings for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through or until crispy.
How can I make the wings spicier?
You can adjust the spice level of the wings by increasing the number of red pepper flakes or adding a hot sauce of your choice to the marinade or the sauce.
Related Recipes:
- Korean Style Spicy Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings
- Chinese Style Chicken Wings
- Baked Peruvian Chicken
Recipe
Easy Chinese Style Lemon Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 3 and ½ pounds of chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt , to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper , to taste
For the Marinade:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup Japanese sake , mirin, or rice vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
For the Lemon sauce:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or canola oil
- 6 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 3 teaspoons ginger , finely minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- zest from 2 large lemons
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- In a large zip lock bag, combine chicken wings and all the ingredients for the marinade. Massage a few times to disperse the marinade evenly. *(Try to squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag). Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Line a large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place a baking rack on top. Lightly spray cooking oil on the rack to prevent sticking.
- Align the marinated lemon chicken wings on the rack, skin side up. Sprinkle kosher salt and ground black pepper onto the wings. Flip and do the same on the other side.
- Place wings on the middle rack and bake at 450 F for about 45 minutes or until fully cooked and a bit charred. *(Finish them off under the broiler for a crisper skin).😉
For the Lemon sauce:
- While baking the wings, prepare the lemon glaze. In a small saucepan pan, heat oil until warm. Add garlic and ginger. Cook and stir until fragrant. Then, add lemon juice, rice vinegar, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and honey. Cook until simmering.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch starch along with 4 tablespoons of water until fully dissolved. Then, swirl it into the sauce. Stir to combine and remove the pan from the stove.
- When the lemon chicken wings are ready, remove them from the oven and give them a bath in the lemon garlic sauce. Serve hot. Enjoy!!!😋🍻
Notes
- To store: Keeping them in a container and wrapped tightly in plastic or aluminum foil is essential. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. When it comes time to reheat the wings, you can use a few different methods depending on your preference.
- To reheat: Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and covering them with a damp paper towel for 1-2 minutes on high. If you have an air fryer, you could also reheat the wings by preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cooking the wings for 5-7 minutes until they are heated through and crispy. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) before eating.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.