Lemon Pepper Wings with Goat Cheese Ranch

Aug 14

Elevate your snack game with crispy, tangy, Lemon Pepper Wings, perfectly paired with Sauvignon Blanc. These wings, marinated in a zesty brine and baked until golden, are a flavor explosion that complements the wine’s crisp notes. Dip into our creamy Goat Cheese Ranch for the ultimate taste experience. Perfect your pairing skills with us—sip, snack, and savor!

Crispy Tangy Lemon Pepper Wings with Goat Cheese Ranch

Servings: 10–12

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50–60 minutes

Print the Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Wings and Brine:

2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
2 cups water mixed with 1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp black peppercorns
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tbsp olive oil
Zest of 2 lemons
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp powdered vinegar
Fresh lemon juice (from the zested lemons)

For the Goat Cheese Ranch:

1/4 cup goat cheese, softened
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Brine the Wings: In a large bowl, combine water, soy sauce, black peppercorns, smashed garlic, salt, and sugar. Add chicken wings, ensuring they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Bake the Wings: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top. Remove wings from brine and pat very dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, lemon zest, ground pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and powdered vinegar until evenly coated.
Crisp the Wings: Arrange wings in a single layer on the wire rack. Bake 35–45 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown.
Finish with Lemon: Once baked, immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the wings to taste.
Make the Goat Cheese Ranch: In a medium bowl, whisk goat cheese, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in garlic, chives, dill, parsley, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.