Are you ready to try a delicious and easy-to-make Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings recipe? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve assembled a tasty, grilled lemon pepper wings recipe combining smoky flavors with zesty lemon-pepper seasoning. These wings are perfect for any BBQ event or family get-together.
Whether you’re new to BBQ or an experienced griller, this smoked lemon pepper wings recipe is for everyone. Our step-by-step guide is easy to follow and will help you make perfect smoked wings every time.
You’ll need basic tools for this recipe: a smoker (pellet smokers and charcoal smokers work well), a meat thermometer, and a large mixing bowl. If you’re planning to smoke a lot of wings, a wire rack can come in handy too.
I’m all about trying new recipes, sharing tips, and learning from each other. Let’s make these amazing Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings together and enjoy the tasty results!
How to make Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings
Step 1: Preheat the Smoker
Begin by preheating your smoker. Set the temperature to 250°F (121°C) and let it heat up while preparing the chicken wings.
Step 2: Coat Wings with Olive Oil
In a large mixing bowl, add 4 lbs of chicken wings. Pour 2 tbsp of olive oil over the wings and mix them well, ensuring that each chicken wing is evenly coated with the oil.
Step 3: Season the Wings
Now it’s time to season the wings. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of lemon pepper seasoning over the oiled wings, and make sure each wing gets a good seasoning coating. You are free to customize the seasoning by adding black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, hot sauce and other ingredients.
Step 4: Smoke the Wings
Place your seasoned chicken wings on the smoker grates or on a wire rack. Close the lid of the smoker and let the tender chicken wings cook for about 2 hours. You’ll know they’re done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Prepare Lemon Pepper Sauce
While the wings are smoking, you can make lemon pepper sauce. Mix 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter in a small bowl.
Step 6: Remove Wings from Smoker
When the wings have reached the desired internal temperature, carefully remove smoked lemon pepper wings from the smoker. Place the cooked wings in a large bowl.
Step 7: Toss Wings in Sauce
Pour your homemade lemon pepper sauce over the smoked wings. Gently toss the wings in the sauce, ensuring that each wing is well-coated.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
For a finishing touch, sprinkle 2 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley over the wings, if desired. Now your Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings are ready to serve and enjoy!
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings
This zesty and smoky dish deserves a beer companion that can enhance its bright and bold flavors. Let’s explore the top beer pairings that will make your wings experience even more exciting.
Wheat Beer
Wheat beer, with its light and slightly citrusy character, is like a burst of sunshine for your Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings. The beer’s hints of lemon and orange peel beautifully complement the zesty flavor of the dish, creating a delightful harmony that’s simply mouthwatering. Wheat beer’s clean and refreshing taste ensures that every bite of wings feels like a citrusy celebration. This pairing is as refreshing as a summer picnic in the park.
Pale Ale
Pale Ale, with its crisp and hoppy notes, is like a flavor adventure for your Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings. The beer’s hop bitterness enhances the zesty and smoky goodness of the dish, creating a perfect balance that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. Pale Ale’s refreshing character and malt complexity add an extra layer of excitement to each bite, making your wings taste like a flavor journey. This pairing is as exciting as a food truck festival with a plate of wings in hand.
Lager
Lager, with its clean and refreshing profile, is like a refreshing breeze for your Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings. The beer’s balanced sweetness and crisp finish complement the zesty notes of the dish, creating a harmonious and approachable pairing. Lager’s easy-drinking nature ensures that every bite of wings feels like a delightful flavor experience. This pairing is as easygoing as a backyard barbecue with friends, where the wings steal the show.
Related Recipes
Smoked lemon pepper wings recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken wings, separated into flats and drumettes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F (121°C).
- Toss the chicken wings with olive oil in a large bowl to coat them evenly.
- Sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning over the wings, ensuring each wing is well-coated.
- Place the seasoned wings directly on the smoker grates. If you have many wings, you can use a wire rack to fit more wings on the smoker. Close the lid and let the wings smoke for 2 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- While the wings are smoking, prepare the lemon pepper sauce. Mix the freshly squeezed lemon juice and melted unsalted butter in a small bowl.
- When the wings are done smoking, carefully remove them from the smoker and place them in a large bowl.
- Pour the lemon pepper sauce over the smoked wings and toss to coat evenly.
- If desired, garnish the wings with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Wrapping Up Our Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe
And there you have it, a tasty and straightforward Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. We hope you enjoyed following along and that you’re excited to share these delicious wings with your friends and family. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to try this recipe again and make it your own.
We’d love to hear about your experience making these smoked lemon pepper wings and any tips or tweaks you discovered along the way. Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts. And if you’re hungry for more BBQ goodness, explore our other chicken wing recipes and tips on the blog. We are going to publish our new honey lemon pepper wings recipe soon!
Smoked Lemon Pepper Wings FAQs
How long should I smoke my chicken wings?
Smoke your chicken wings for approximately 2 hours at 250°F (121°C) or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How do you get crispy skin when smoking wings?
To achieve crispy skin on smoked wings, try increasing the smoker’s temperature to around 425°F (218°C) for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time or finish them on a hot grill or in the oven.
How long does it take to cook smoked lemon pepper wings on a smoker at 225?
At a lower temperature of 225°F (107°C), it may take around 2.5 to 3 hours for chicken wings to fully cook and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Do you sauce wings before or after smoking?
Sauce your wings after smoking to prevent the sauce from burning during the smoking process. Toss the smoked wings in the sauce for a flavorful, evenly coated finish. You can add honey lemon pepper glaze for additional flavor.
How do you keep smoked wings from getting rubbery?
To prevent smoked wings from becoming rubbery, maintain a consistent smoker temperature, and avoid overcooking. Additionally, brining or marinating the wings beforehand can help keep them moist and tender.
Can you overcook wings on a smoker?
Yes, overcooking wings on a smoker can result in dry and tough meat. Monitor the internal temperature of the wings, and remove them from the smoker when they reach 165°F (74°C).
Should you spray wings while smoking?
While smoking, spraying wings with a mixture of apple or fresh lemon juice together, apple cider vinegar, or water can help keep them moist and add extra flavor.
Do you wrap lemon pepper chicken wings in foil when smoking?
Wrapping wings in foil is unnecessary when smoking, as it can prevent the wings from developing a crispy skin. However, you can use foil to create a barrier between the wings and direct heat if necessary.
Do you put chicken skin up or down in the smoker?
Place the chicken skin side up in the smoker to allow the fat to render and keep the meat moist while developing a crispy skin.
Do you flip chicken in a smoker?
Flipping grilled chicken wings in a smoker is not necessary. However, if you want to ensure even cooking and browning, you can flip the wings halfway through the smoking process.
Do you need a water pan when smoking chicken wings?
Using a water pan when smoking chicken wings can help maintain consistent temperature and humidity, ensuring moist and tender wings.
How do you know when smoked wings are done?
Smoked wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and ensure that the smoked lemon pepper wings are cooked through before serving.