Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Instructions

1. Prepare the wings
   Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve crispier skin during cooking. Place them in a large bowl.
2. Create the marinade
   In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Pour over the wings and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more flavor.
3. Preheat and arrange
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray rack with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack, leaving space between each piece.
4. Bake the wings
   Bake wings for 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through, until the skin is crispy and golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Prepare lemon pepper sauce
   While wings are baking, make the sauce by combining melted butter, remaining olive oil, remaining lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining black pepper, onion powder, thyme, cayenne (if using), and honey in a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
6. Toss and serve
   When wings are done, transfer them to the bowl with the lemon pepper sauce while still hot. Toss gently until all wings are evenly coated. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges if desired.