Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Wings with Lemon Garlic Aioli ~ TO BE TASTY

Crispy Chicken Wings with Lemon Garlic Aioli and Hot Honey Glaze

Chicken wings are a classic, crispy, and flavorful dish loved by many. Whether served at a gathering or as a snack during a cozy night in, these crispy chicken wings with lemon garlic aioli and a hot honey glaze offer a mouthwatering combination of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that will leave you coming back for more. This recipe includes a perfect balance of zesty lemon, garlicky richness, and a kick of heat from the hot honey glaze. It's a must-try for any wing lover!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Wings:

2-3 lb. Chicken Wings (about 12-15 pieces)
1 tbsp. BBQ Seasoning
1 tbsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. Paprika
2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Flour
3 tbsp. Melted Butter or Olive Oil
Zest of 1 Lemon

For the Lemon Garlic Aioli:

1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
Zest and Juice of 1-2 Lemons (depending on your taste preference)
1 tbsp. Honey
2-3 Garlic Cloves, grated
Salt and Black Pepper to taste
(Optional: Add chili crisp oil for extra heat)

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

1/3 cup Honey
1 tbsp. Sriracha or Hot Sauce (adjust to taste)

Instructions

1. Preparing the Chicken Wings

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 435°F. For best results, set an oven-safe wire rack on top of a large rimmed baking sheet to allow the chicken wings to bake evenly and become crispy on all sides.
Prepare the Coating: In a small bowl, combine the flour, BBQ seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and baking powder. This seasoning mixture will help create a flavorful crust on your chicken wings and give them that irresistible crispy texture.
Coat the Wings: In a larger bowl, drizzle the chicken wings with melted butter or olive oil and toss them well to coat each wing. Then, sprinkle the seasoned flour mixture over the wings and toss again until the wings are evenly coated. Add the lemon zest to the mixture for a burst of citrus flavor that will pair beautifully with the rich aioli later.
Bake the Wings: Place the seasoned wings on the prepared wire rack in a single layer. Bake the chicken wings in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, flipping them every 15 minutes to ensure they bake evenly and get golden brown and crispy on all sides. The wings should be deeply golden and crispy once done.

2. Making the Lemon Garlic Aioli

Combine Ingredients: While the chicken wings bake, make the lemon garlic aioli by mixing together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small bowl. The combination of yogurt and mayo provides a creamy texture that perfectly balances the tangy lemon and rich garlic.
Add Sweetness and Garlic: Stir in the honey to add a touch of sweetness to the aioli, and then grate the garlic cloves into the mixture for that essential garlicky punch.
Season: Taste the aioli and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to your preference. For an extra kick, consider adding a little chili crisp oil for heat and added depth of flavor. Mix until smooth and set aside.

3. Preparing the Hot Honey Glaze

Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the honey and sriracha (or your preferred hot sauce). Stir until smooth and well combined. The sweetness of the honey perfectly balances the heat from the hot sauce, making for a delightful glaze that will coat the crispy wings with a flavorful kick.
Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of sriracha or hot sauce depending on how spicy you want the glaze to be. If you like a milder version, reduce the hot sauce, or if you're a spice lover, feel free to increase the amount for a more intense flavor.

4. Serving the Wings

Drizzle the Aioli: Once the chicken wings are done baking and have reached the perfect crispy texture, remove them from the oven. Working quickly, transfer the wings to a serving plate and drizzle them generously with the lemon garlic aioli. You can use a piping bag for more controlled and artistic drizzling, or simply use a spoon to drizzle the aioli over the wings.
Add the Hot Honey Glaze: Next, drizzle the hot and sweet honey glaze over the wings. The combination of hot sauce and honey adds a sticky, spicy-sweet layer that complements the crispy wings and garlicky aioli beautifully.
Serve with Extra Aioli: For an extra creamy dip, serve the wings with more of the lemon garlic aioli on the side. The aioli works as a perfect cooling complement to the spicy kick of the honey glaze.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Wings

Crispier Wings: To ensure your wings are extra crispy, make sure the baking powder is evenly mixed into the flour mixture. Baking powder helps the skin crisp up nicely, so don’t skip this step.
Flipping the Wings: Flipping the wings halfway through cooking ensures they cook evenly and become golden and crispy all around. Make sure to use tongs or a spatula to carefully turn each wing.
Adjusting the Heat: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of hot sauce in the hot honey glaze. Alternatively, if you like it spicy, feel free to add more sriracha or hot sauce to taste.
Grilled Option: If you prefer grilling your wings instead of baking them, you can follow the same seasoning steps and grill them over medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes on each side, or until crispy and fully cooked through.
Serving Suggestions: These wings are perfect for game day, parties, or as an appetizer for any meal. Serve them with a refreshing drink like iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer to balance out the spiciness of the wings. The lemon garlic aioli also pairs beautifully with a fresh side salad or vegetable platter for a lighter option alongside the wings.

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Wings

These crispy chicken wings are a fantastic combination of flavors that everyone will love. The lemon garlic aioli adds a creamy and zesty element that enhances the crispy wings, while the hot honey glaze adds a delightful sweet and spicy kick. The balance between these two sauces creates a mouthwatering contrast that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Whether you’re hosting a party or making a special treat for yourself, these wings are sure to impress. The golden, crispy texture of the chicken wings is perfectly complemented by the bold flavors of the lemon aioli and hot honey glaze. Every bite delivers the perfect combination of crunch, creaminess, zesty lemon, and spicy sweetness, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Enjoy these crispy chicken wings with lemon garlic aioli and hot honey glaze as the perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion!