Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings
Crispy, golden fried chicken wings get the glow up they deserve with this Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Wings situation. These wings soak in a tangy, peppery buttermilk marinade that tenderizes every bite, then get coated in a seasoned breading that fries up shatteringly crisp. But the real moment? That lemon pepper infused hot honey. Sweet, citrusy, garlicky, and just spicy enough to make you reach for one more wing without thinking twice.
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
How long does the infused honey lasts:
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
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