Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Wings Zesty Game Day Perfection
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook: Are You Winging It Tonight?
Fancy some Slow cooker lemon pepper wings? Honestly, these are the easiest, zestiest wings you'll ever make. Perfect for a lazy Sunday or a rowdy game day.
Oh my gosh, get ready for flavor!
Brief Overview: Winging It, Elevated.
These wings bring that classic lemon pepper flavor, straight from your slow cooker. The Lemon pepper wings recipe is super easy.
Just bung it all in, wait a few hours, then crisp 'em up under the grill. You'll get about 6 servings in roughly 4 hours on low, or just over 2 on high.
Main Benefits: Healthier, Tastier, Easier!
One of the best things is that slow cooking makes the chicken super tender. It is the Easy chicken wing recipe .
This is especially perfect for game day, a party, or even just a quick weeknight dinner, where you can enjoy Crispy slow cooker wings .
Plus, these tangy slow cooker wings are a crowd pleaser.
What Makes these Wings So Good?
Alright, let's get these cooking , shall we? These are no ordinary wings, my friend. This is a Slow cooker chicken wings recipe that’s all about that easy life.
Forget standing over a hot fryer. Plus, the zesty chicken wings are way less greasy.
I remember the first time I tried making wings. It was a total disaster! Burnt on the outside, raw on the inside.
I vowed never again until I discovered the magic of Crockpot lemon pepper wings . Trust me, this is the way to go.
These Lemon pepper chicken wings are a delicious and satisfying meal. The slow cooker ensures that the chicken is cooked evenly and is succulent and flavorful.
They are a guaranteed winner with family and friends, and soon will become a staple at your Game day appetizers .
What's stopping you?.
Let's Get Cooking! Ingredients & Equipment Deets
Alright, mate! Let's talk ingredients for our epic slow cooker lemon pepper wings. Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward, nothing too cheffy, I promise.
I love easy recipes, and these Crockpot lemon pepper wings are just that.
The Stars of the Show: Main Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: 4 pounds (that's about 1.8kg). Fresh or thawed, doesn't matter too much, just make sure they aren't frozen solid.
- Lemons: 2 large ones for juice (you’ll need about 1/3 cup or 80ml) and zest. The zest is super important for that lemony punch.
- Butter: 4 tablespoons (56g), unsalted, melted. Oh my gosh, butter just makes everything better, doesn’t it?
- Salt: 1 teaspoon .
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon , freshly ground if you can.
- Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon . I love the smoky flavour!
Quality wise, try to get fresh, plump chicken wings. For the lemons, give them a little squeeze before you buy them, you want them nice and juicy.
These lemon pepper chicken wings are amazing for game day appetizers , so get the best ones possible!
Seasoning: That's Where the Magic Happens
Okay, so the lemon pepper is a classic combo. But we're adding a bit of magic. The salt and black pepper are essential.
The smoked paprika gives it a lovely depth. For the lemon pepper wings recipe ensure that you have a good amount of lemon pepper seasoning available for basting.
Flavour enhancer? Melted butter. Yup, butter is life, end of story. If you wanna get fancy, a pinch of cayenne pepper will give it a cheeky kick.
And fresh parsley is a must for garnish, makes it look posh! No worries you can always change this for an easy chicken wing recipe.
If you're short on something, bottled lemon juice is okay. Just don't tell my Italian grandma, she'd have a fit! If you want tangy slow cooker wings , don't skip out on the zest!
Gear You'll Need (Nothing Fancy!)
- Slow Cooker: A 6-quart one (or bigger). It is the heart of this recipe!
- Rimmed Baking Sheet: For broiling those bad boys.
- Aluminium Foil: To line the baking sheet and prevent sticking.
- Basting Brush: For getting that lemon pepper goodness all over the wings.
- Meat Thermometer: To check they are done! You need 165° F ( 74° C) , people! Safety first!
Don't have a basting brush? A spoon works fine. No aluminium foil? Just grease the baking sheet really well. The goal with this slow cooker party food is for it to be super simple.
Honestly, this zesty chicken wings recipe is so easy that you'll want to make it every week!. And who could blame you? Especially when you get those wings nice and crispy slow cooker wings afterwards.
Unleash the Flavor: Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Wings!
Okay, let's talk wings! Honestly, who doesn't love a good chicken wing recipe? Especially when it's super easy and packed with flavour.
That is the magic of Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper chicken wings.
These zesty chicken wings are seriously the bomb for game day, parties, or even just a chill night in. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken, bursting with lemon and pepper goodness.
Forget complicated recipes; this one’s so simple, even I can't mess it up!
Prep Steps: Let's Get Organised
First things first. Make sure you've got everything ready. That’s your mise en place, darling!
- Grab about 4 pounds (1.8kg) of chicken wings . Pat 'em dry. Moisture is the enemy of crispy wings!
- Juice 2 large lemons . Zest them too, because that's where the real flavor lives.
- Melt 4 tablespoons (56g) of butter . (Or olive oil if you're feeling virtuous).
- Have your seasonings ready: 1 teaspoon of salt , 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper , and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika . Lemon pepper seasoning too.
step-by-step: Slow Cooking Magic
Alright, here's the super easy part:
- Toss the wings into your slow cooker.
- Pour the lemon juice over the wings. Add the lemon zest, melted butter, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
- Preheat your oven broiler.
- Transfer the wings to a baking sheet lined with foil. Baste with the juices from the slow cooker, and sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Broil for 6- 8 minutes , flipping halfway, until nice and crispy. Aim for an internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) .
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Wings
- Crispy Slow Cooker Wings ? Dry those wings thoroughly. Moisture and crispness are not friends.
- Don't overcrowd the slow cooker. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Watch them like a hawk under the broiler! They can go from golden brown to burnt in seconds. Honestly, a good pair of tongs for flipping is key to success here.
Serve your Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper wings immediately with your favorite dips. These are so good, they don't even need a sauce.
But ranch? Blue cheese? A little aioli? Totally elevates them! So there you have it. Enjoy your game day appetizers or a super easy chicken wing recipe !.
Recipe Notes
Okay, so you've read through the recipe for these Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Wings . Awesome! But before you dive in, let's chat about a few things.
These are little tidbits I've learned along the way making this easy chicken wing recipe
Serving Suggestions: Get Your Plate On!
Presentation matters, right? For these zesty chicken wings , I like to pile them high on a platter. Think game day! A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of green.
Lemon wedges on the side are a must. Honestly, I think they look so good that you don’t need anything
- Plating and presentation ideas Think about arranging the wings around a bowl of blue cheese dressing, or a simple ramekin of homemade ranch!
- Complementary sides or beverages These wings go great with celery sticks and a cold beer. My personal favourite is a crisp lager. I would also make a coleslaw for the extra freshness
Storage Tips: Keep Those Wings Fresh!
If you actually have leftover wings (rare, I know!), don't worry. These crispy slow cooker wings are still great the next day.
- Refrigeration guidelines Store any leftover lemon pepper chicken wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure they cool down completely before popping them in.
- Freezing options (if applicable) I wouldn’t freeze them. They are too delicious to store away, and they might be a little soggy when you thaw them.
- Reheating instructions The best way to reheat them is in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) for about 10- 15 minutes, or until warmed through. You could use a microwave, but I don’t recommend it, they might be a little soggy.
Variations: Mix It Up!
Sometimes, you just want to tweak things, you know? This lemon pepper wings recipe is super versatile.
- 1-2 dietary adaptations To make it gluten-free, just ensure your lemon pepper seasoning is gluten-free. Easy peasy!
- Seasonal ingredient swaps In summer, use fresh, locally grown lemons for the best flavour! For winter, frozen lemon works perfectly fine.
Nutrition Basics: The Good Stuff!
Let's keep it real simple, shall we?
- Simplified nutrition information Each serving is about 450 calories, with 40g of protein. That's a whole lot of muscle fuel for your game day appetizers !
- Key health benefits Chicken is a great source of protein. The lemon pepper adds vitamin C and antioxidants. A total win!
So there you have it! A few extra pointers to make your slow cooker lemon pepper wings experience the best ever. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun. Happy cooking, love!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken wings in this Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper recipe, or do they need to be thawed?
While fresh wings are ideal, you can use thawed chicken wings. Ensure they are fully thawed before adding them to the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and food safety. If using frozen, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly. But honestly, fresh is best, like a proper Full English fry-up!
My slow cooker wings always end up soggy. How do I keep these Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper wings from being mushy?
Ah, the dreaded soggy wing! Patting the wings dry before cooking is crucial. Also, don't overcrowd the slow cooker, as this traps moisture and leads to steaming instead of braising. The final broil is key to achieving that desirable crispiness don't skip it!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? What's the best way to store leftover Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper wings?
You can definitely prep parts of it ahead! Combine the lemon juice, zest, melted butter, and seasonings in a container and store in the fridge. When you're ready to cook, just pour it over the wings in the slow cooker. Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat them in the oven or air fryer for the best results, much better than a soggy microwave job, trust me!
I don't have lemon pepper seasoning, is there a substitute I can use for these Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper wings?
Absolutely! Lemon pepper seasoning is great, but you can easily make your own. Just combine equal parts dried lemon peel (or extra lemon zest), black pepper, and a pinch of salt. You can even add a little garlic powder for an extra kick, like a cheeky Nando's Peri Peri addition!
Are these wings healthy? What are the nutritional considerations for this Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper wings recipe?
While these wings are packed with flavour and relatively lean protein, they do contain fat from the chicken skin and butter. You can reduce the fat content by removing the skin after cooking or using olive oil instead of butter.
Remember to check the nutritional information in the recipe, and always enjoy in moderation, like that last slice of Battenberg cake!
Can I use this Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper recipe for other cuts of chicken, like drumsticks or thighs?
You sure can! The lemon pepper flavour works well with various chicken cuts. Drumsticks and thighs will require similar cooking times as the wings. Just be sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) regardless of the cut you use, nobody wants a bout of the runs!
Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Wings Zesty Game Day Pe
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 5g |