Need a delicious chicken wing recipe for your next cookout or game day event? Try these Lemon Garlic Wings! These perfectly grilled wings are bursting with tangy lemon and savory garlic flavors that will leave your taste buds begging for more! Not only are they a crowd-pleaser, but they pair perfectly with a creamy ranch, buffalo, or tangy blue cheese dressing.
We developed this “secret” recipe some years ago for a party with friends. Let’s just say that it was an instant hit. Since then, we’ve made these lemon garlic wings for cookouts, which never fails to impress. Today, we are sharing this lemon wing recipe with you!
Chicken wings are versatile and can carry most flavor combinations, but the lemon and garlic combination takes them to the next level. We recommend using a brine before grilling these lemon garlic wings. Use our Brine for Chicken Wings recipe for the best results.
Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Wings:
- 3 pounds chicken wings, flats (wingettes and drumettes)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Melted butter (sub with olive oil)
- Garlic (or garlic powder)
- Dried marjoram
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Wood recommendations: cherry, apple, and alder wood work well with this recipe.
For brine:
- 1-quart cold water
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
How long should the chicken wings be brined before grilling?
We recommend brining your 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 don’t have garlic or are allergic to it.
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 Wings:
- In a large container, combine brine ingredients. Let stand for 5 minutes and stir. The salt and sugar must be dissolved before use.
- Submerge chicken wings in the brine. Cover the container, and place it into the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
- Set up a two-zone cooking space on your charcoal or gas grill. These lemon-garlic wings will be cooked indirectly. If using a pellet grill, aim for a 325 degrees F.
- Remove chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
- Season wings with black pepper, onion powder, and marjoram.
Grilling the Wings:
- Place onto grill and cook for 30 minutes, or until wings reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- While the wings are cooking, combine lemon juice with minced garlic and melted butter in a large bowl.
- Remove the wings from the grill and place them into the lemon mixture. Toss to coat.
- 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 175 degrees F, remove the lemon garlic wings from the grill and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite sides.
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 in recipes. Here are some ideas:
- Vinegar: Distilled, white, or red wine vinegar are a suitable substitute for lemon juice in many recipes, like this one. Use an equal ratio 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. But limes have a slightly different flavor profile than lemon. So, the finished product might not taste the same.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Try adding a little lemon pepper or dried lemon zest to the butter mixture.
Air fryer method for wings
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 is, and how crispy you want them to be. It’s a good idea to fry them in batches. To make sure they cook evenly, 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 170 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.
What can I serve with lemon garlic wings?
Grilled chicken wings are a fantastic choice for a meal as they offer many possibilities. They are tasty, adaptable, and can be enjoyed with side dishes, sauces, and more.
Tip:
Check multiple wings for doneness before taking them off the grill. Flats tend to cook more quickly than drumettes.
Lemon-Garlic Wings
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings flats and drummettes
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Simple brine:
- 1 quart cold water
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large container, combine brine ingredients. Let stand for 5 minutes and stir. The salt and sugar must be dissolved before use. Submerge chicken wings in the brine. Cover the container, and place it into the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
- Set up a two-zone cooking space on your charcoal or gas grill. These lemon-garlic wings will be cooked indirectly. If using a pellet grill, aim for a 325 degrees F.
- Remove chicken from brine and blot them dry with paper towels. Season wings with black pepper, onion powder, and marjoram.
- Place onto grill and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until wings reach 165 degrees F.
- While the wings are cooking, combine lemon juice with minced garlic and melted butter in a large glass or plastic bowl. Remove wings from the grill and place them into lemon mixture. Toss to coat.
- Return the wings to the grill and cook over direct heat for 5-7 minutes, turning them as needed.If using a pellet grill, increase the heat to 450 degrees F. before placing the wings back on.
- Once the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F, remove the lemon-garlic wings from the grill and serve.
- Check multiple wings for doneness before taking them off the grill. Flats tend to cook quicker than the drummettes.
