Go Back
the best smoked garlic lemon pepper chicken wings

Smoked Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Difficulty: Easy
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: easy chicken wing recipe, garlic chicken wings, garlic lemon pepper wings, lemon pepper wings, smoked garlic chicken wings, smoked garlic wings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Wings:
  • 2.5 lbs chicken wings drumettes and flats
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning salt-free if possible
  • ½ tsp coarse black pepper
For the Garlic Lemon Pepper Sauce:
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt to taste
  • Optional: ½ tsp honey or hot sauce for a sweet/spicy twist

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken Wings:
  1. Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels. Toss wings in olive oil, then season evenly with kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, lemon pepper seasoning, and black pepper. Mix well to fully coat the wings.
Fire Up the Smoker or Grill:
  1. Preheat your smoker or grill to 325°F using indirect heat. Add hickory wood chunks or chips to build that deep smoky flavor.
Smoke the Wings:
  1. Place the seasoned wings on a wire rack or grill grates over indirect heat. Smoke for 45–55 minutes, flipping halfway through. Aim for an internal temperature of 175–185°F for crispy skin and juicy meat.
Make the Garlic Lemon Pepper Sauce:
  1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes). Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and salt. For a flavor boost, you can add honey or hot sauce.
Toss and Finish the Wings:
  1. Once wings are done, remove from the grill and immediately toss in the garlic lemon pepper butter sauce. Optionally, place wings back on the grill for 2–3 minutes to caramelize the glaze.