Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings
There is something irresistible about a perfectly fried chicken wing. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bold enough to make you lick your fingers without shame. These Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings hit every craving at once. Tangy, peppery, sweet, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting.
The wings start with a lemon pepper buttermilk marinade that tenderizes the meat and layers in bright citrus flavor. After a dredge in a seasoned flour mixture, they are fried until golden and crunchy, then tossed in a lemon pepper infused hot honey that clings to every nook and cranny. It is messy in the best way and completely worth it.
Whether you are making wings for game day, a weekend dinner, or just because you want something really good, this recipe delivers every single time.
Why You’re Going to Love These Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Crispy fried wings with juicy, flavorful meat
- Bright lemon zest balances the richness of the fry
- Sweet heat from hot honey with a peppery kick
- Perfect for parties, game day, or late night cravings
- Easy to prep ahead with a marinade that does the work for you
Ingredients for Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings
Chicken Wings
- Bone in chicken wings
- Canola oil for frying
Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade
- Buttermilk
- Lemon zest
- Coarse black pepper
- Garlic paste or garlic powder
- Ground thyme
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Celery salt
Crispy Breading
- All purpose flour
- Ground thyme
- Onion powder
- Ground ginger
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Celery salt
- Salt
Lemon Pepper Infused Hot Honey
- Honey
- Thinly sliced lemon
- Coarse black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon zest
- Garlic cloves
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings
Marinate the Chicken Wings
In a large bowl, add all the ingredients for the lemon pepper chicken marinade and mix until fully combined. Add the chicken wings and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
Make the Lemon Pepper Infused Hot Honey
In a container with a tight fitting lid, add all the ingredients for the lemon pepper infused hot honey. Stir to combine, then cover and set aside at room temperature for one to two hours so the flavors can fully marry. Stir again before using.
Prepare the Crispy Breading
In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the crispy breading until evenly mixed. Set aside.
Fry the Chicken Wings
Heat canola oil in a large heavy bottom pot to 350F. Working in batches, dredge the marinated chicken wings in the crispy breading, making sure each wing is fully coated. Shake off excess flour and carefully lower into the hot oil.
Fry the wings for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165F.
Remove the wings from the oil and allow them to rest briefly on a wire rack or paper towels.
Toss and Serve
While the wings are still hot, drizzle or toss generously with the lemon pepper infused hot honey until fully coated. Serve immediately with homemade ranch and enjoy every crispy, sticky bite.
Tips for the Best Fried Chicken Wings
- Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady
- Let the wings rest briefly after frying so the breading stays crisp
- Stir the hot honey before using to redistribute the spices
- Serve immediately for maximum crunch
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to three days.
To reheat, place the wings in an air fryer or oven until heated through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it softens the breading. If needed, add a fresh drizzle of hot honey after reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings are the kind of recipe that disappears fast. Crispy, saucy, sweet, and peppery with just enough heat, they bring serious flavor without being complicated. If lemon pepper wings are your thing, this is about to become your new favorite way to make them.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is all about balance and layering flavor at every step.
- The buttermilk marinade tenderizes the wings while infusing them with lemon zest and warm spices
- Coarse black pepper delivers that signature lemon pepper bite without overpowering
- The seasoned flour creates a crispy crust that holds up under sauce
- Lemon pepper infused hot honey adds sweet heat, citrus brightness, and a glossy finish that clings beautifully
- Frying at the right temperature keeps the wings juicy inside and shatteringly crisp outside
Every element builds on the last, so nothing tastes flat or one note.
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- Canola oil for frying
Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade
- 2-3 lbs bone in chicken wings
- 2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic paste or powder
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
Crispy Breading
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp salt
Lemon Pepper Infused Hot Honey
- 1 1/4 cups honey
- 1 large lemon sliced thinly ( about 10-12 slices total)
- 1 tbsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade
- In a large bowl add all the ingredients listed under “Lemon Pepper Chicken Marinade” and mix thoroughly. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Lemon Pepper Infused Hot Honey
- In a container with a tight lid, add all ingredients listed under “Lemon Pepper Infused Hot Honey” and mix to combine. Set aside to allow the flavors to marry for at least 1-2 hours.
Crispy Breading
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients listed under “Crispy Breading” and whisk until everything is combined. Set aside.
Assemble
- Heat a large pot of canola oil over medium heat to 350F.
- Working in batches, dredge the marinaded chicken in the crispy breading. Make sure the entire wing is covered. Shake off any excess flour and slowly slide into the hot oil.
- Let the wings cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and they have an internal temperature of 165F.
- Once cooked, cover in the lemon pepper infused hot honey. Serve with a side of ranch and enjoy!
Notes
Your lemon pepper infused hot honey will keep about 2 to 3 weeks when stored properly.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes, in this case refrigeration is recommended. Here’s why
Because the honey is infused with fresh lemon slices and garlic, those fresh ingredients introduce moisture, which shortens shelf life and makes room temp storage less safe. Best storage tips:
Store in an airtight container or jar
Keep it refrigerated
Let it sit at room temp for 10 to 15 minutes before using so it loosens up
Always use a clean spoon to avoid contamination
If you want it to last longer next time, you can
Gently warm the honey and strain out the lemon slices and garlic after infusion.
Then refrigerate or store it cold for up to 1 to 2 months
That honey is liquid gold though, so realistically… it won’t last that long
