Lemon-Pepper Garlic Wings

By James Kimble July 30, 2025 5 mins read 10 Views

Need a delicious chicken wing recipe for your next cookout or game day event? Then these outhwatering Lemon-Pepper Garlic Wings are a must-try!

Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings — derrickriches.com

These grilled lemon-pepper garlic wings are bursting with tangy lemon pepper and savory garlic flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more! Not only are they perfect for parties and cookouts, but they pair well with creamy ranch, buffalo, or tangy blue cheese dressing.

We developed this recipe specifically for a game day party. Let’s just say that these delicious morsels were an instant hit. Since then, we’ve made these lemon-pepper garlic wings for a variety of occasions, including casual weekend dinners.

Chicken wings are versatile and can carry most flavor combinations, but the lemon pepper and garlic combination takes them to a whole new level. We recommend using our Chicken Wing Brine recipe for the best results.

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken wings, flats (wingettes and drumettes)
Fresh lemon juice
Melted butter (sub with olive oil)
Garlic
Dried marjoram
Lemon-pepper
Onion powder
Chicken Wing Brine
Wood recommendations: cherry, apple, and alder wood work well with this recipe.

How long should the chicken wings be brined before grilling?

For best results, brine the chicken wings for 2-3 hours before grilling. Doing this will give them enough time to absorb the brine flavors and produce juicy, delicious wings.

What is a good substitute for garlic?

Garlic has a unique flavor and aroma that can be difficult to replicate, but there are some substitutes you can use if you have an intolerance.

Shallots are part of the onion family and have flavor profiles similar to garlic. They are slightly sweeter and milder than garlic but still have a pungent flavor that can be used in many recipes.
Scallions or Green Onions are also be a good substitute that will add a mild onion-like flavor to these wings.

Making Lemon-Pepper Garlic Wings

Assemble the brine: In a large container, combine brine ingredients. Let stand for 5 minutes and stir. The salt and sugar must be dissolved before use.
Brine the chicken: Submerge chicken wings in the brine. Cover the container, and place it into the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Prepare the grill: Set up a two-zone cooking space on your charcoal or gas grill. If using a pellet grill, aim for a 325 degrees F.
Blot the wings: Remove chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
Season the wings with lemon pepper, onion powder, and marjoram.

Chicken Wings on the Grill — derrickriches.com

Grilling Chicken Wings

Cook the wings: Place onto grill, close the lid, and cook for 30 minutes, or until wings reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Make the garlic-butter mixture: While the wings are cooking, combine lemon juice with minced garlic and melted butter in a large bowl.
Coat the wings: Remove the wings from the grill and place them into the lemon mixture. Toss to coat.
Back on the grill: Return the wings to the grill and cook over direct heat for another 5-7 minutes, turning them as needed until golden brown. If using a pellet grill, increase the heat to 450 degrees F.
Once the internal temperature reaches between 175 degrees F, remove the wings from the grill and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

What is a good substitute for lemon juice?

Lemons have a distinct sour and tangy flavor that can be difficult to replicate, but a few substitutes can achieve a similar taste. Here are some ideas:

Vinegar: Distilled, white, or red wine vinegar are a great substitute for lemon juice. Use an equal measurement of vinegar to lemon juice.
Lime: Lime juice has a similar acidity level as lemon juice and can be used as a substitute in many recipes. So keep in mind that limes have a slightly different flavor profile than lemons.

Air fryer method

If you want to make delicious air fryer chicken wings, it’s important to consider a few things that can affect how they turn out. Think about the size of the wings, how hot your air fryer can get, and how crispy you want them to be. It’s a good idea to air-fry them in batches to make sure they cook evenly. Remember to flip them over halfway through cooking. The whole process typically takes 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees F. It’s important to check that the inside of the wings has reached an internal temperature of 175 degrees F before serving them. Remember that cooking times can vary depending on the type of air fryer you have, so check the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.

Sides for lemon-pepper garlic wings

Grilled chicken wings pair well with most sauces and sides, and offer endless possibilities. Here are some of our favorite go-to recipes:

Tip

Check multiple wings for doneness before taking them off the grill. Flats tend to cook more quickly than drumettes.