Name: Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings (separated, wing tips removed); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons lemon paste; 1 teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons melted butter; 1 tablespoon lemon paste; 1 teaspoon black pepper

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This recipe for grilled lemon-pepper chicken wings is extra lemony, as we’re tossing them in a mixture of black pepper and lemon paste, grilling them to crispy perfection, then finishing them with a peppery lemon and butter glaze. Fire up those grills, my friends!

There’s nothing better than getting that grill nice and hot and cooking up amazing food for a group of people. One meal I LOVE grilling up for a group is Lemony Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken Wings!

Most recipes use lemon pepper seasoning, but lemon paste really transforms a dish without the need for juicing or zesting. Once you try lemon pepper wings with lemon paste, you'll never go back to the seasoning blend again.

Perfect Lemon Pepper Wings

Lemon paste adds real lemon flavor to match the bold black pepper spice. No need for lemon pepper seasoning.
Grilling the wings gives the perfect char for wings that will truly satisfy.

Ingredients for These Lemon Pepper Wings

Chicken Wings. Separated, wing tips removed.
Olive Oil.
Lemon Paste. I'm using Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Paste, though you can use your favorites.
Black Pepper.
Melted Butter.
Salt and Black Pepper.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings on the Grill

First, pat your chicken wings very dry, as dry as you can get them. The dried skins help to make them crispy. Add them to a large bowl.

Next, whisk together some olive oil, black pepper and lemon paste. Pour the mixture over the chicken wings to coat them evenly.

Next, heat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken wings 30-40 minutes, flipping occasionally, or until they are cooked through and the skins are nice and crispy.

When the wings are nearly done, whisk together a bit of melted butter, lemon paste and black pepper. It will look like this.

Glaze for Our Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Brush the wings with the lemony butter-pepper mixture. Make sure they are nicely coated.

Look at how they glisten! So juicy and tender and crispy out the outside. And so very lemony.

I love the combination of the lemon and pepper. This is a no-heat version of the recipe, though you’ll get big flavor from the lemon paste and some spiciness from the black pepper, but if you’re looking for a hotter version, feel free to incorporate some spicy chili flakes or a dash of spicy chili powder.

That’s it, my friends! Fire up those grills!

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings - Ready to Eat

For Perfect Lemon Pepper Wings

Dry the wings like you mean it. Pat them very dry, then let them air-dry on a rack in the fridge 2-12 hours. Drier skin = better grill-crisp.
Target temps, not time. Wings are best when they hit 175-185°F internal (thigh area). The collagen breaks down and they get tender, not rubbery.

Storage & Leftovers

Let the wings cool to room temp (no more than 2 hours), then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container (squeeze out air). They’ll keep their best quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Tip: If the wings are tossed in a lemon-butter sauce, they may soften a bit in storage. For the best texture, store wings plain and add fresh lemon pepper (and a quick butter toss) after reheating.

Check Out Some of My Other Popular Chicken Wing Recipes

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations. Thanks! -- Mike H.

Glazing Lemon Pepper Wings fresh off the grill with a lemon-butter glaze

Grilled Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe

This grilled lemon-pepper chicken wings recipe is tossed with black pepper and lemon paste, grilled crispy, then drenched in buttery lemon sauce.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken wings, hot wings, wings

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Calories: 613kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings:

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5 from 7 ratings

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Ingredients

2 pounds chicken wings separated, wing tips removed

FOR THE FIRST ROUND

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon paste
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt

FOR THE FINAL SAUCE

3 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon lemon paste
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Pat the chicken wings very dry and add them to a large bowl.
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon paste and black pepper, then pour the mixture over the chicken wings. Toss to evenly coat them.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Grill the chicken wings 30-40 minutes, flipping occasionally, or until they are cooked through and the skins are nice and crispy.
Whisk together the melted butter, lemon paste and black pepper.
Brush the wings with the lemony butter-pepper mixture. Make sure they are nicely coated.
Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Heat Factor: MILD. I didn’t add in any spicy elements, as my goal is to focus on the wonderful lemon-pepper combination, though you can easily incorporate your favorite spicy chili powder or some spicy chili flakes to heat things up. It would be a nice addition.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 613kcal Protein: 41g Fat: 48g Saturated Fat: 16g Cholesterol: 197mg Sodium: 531mg Potassium: 353mg Vitamin A: 595IU Vitamin C: 1.6mg Calcium: 30mg Iron: 2.3mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 1/7/26 to include new information. It was originally published on 8/13/18.