Recipe: Cajun Lemon-Pepper Wings

Serves 6 | Total time: 45 minutes | Active time: 20 minutes

These grilled Cajun wings are smoky, spicy, and finished with a bright kick of lemon pepper that keeps everyone coming back for more. Not only do they come together quickly, but they also cook entirely on the grill, making cleanup a breeze. As a result, they’re the perfect finger food for game days, backyard cookouts, or casual family dinners. So, fire up the grill and let’s get into it.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds whole chicken wings
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the grill
• 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
• 1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. In a large bowl, coat the wings evenly with oil, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Grease your grill grates and place wings in a single layer. Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until deeply browned and cooked through.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining Cajun seasoning, remaining garlic powder, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Pull the wings off the grill and toss immediately in the lemon pepper mixture until fully coated. Serve hot.

Tips for the Best Grilled Cajun Wings

First, pat your wings dry before seasoning. This simple step helps them crisp up better on the grill and allows the seasoning to stick more evenly.

Additionally, if you prefer extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the lemon pepper mixture before tossing.

For the freshest flavor, always use fresh lemon juice and zest rather than bottled alternatives. After all, the bright citrus notes make a noticeable difference in the finished dish.

Finally, let the wings rest for a minute or two after tossing. This allows the flavors to settle and coat the wings more evenly.

These grilled Cajun wings pair perfectly with a cold drink and good company. Furthermore, they’re easy to scale up for larger gatherings, making them a reliable crowd-pleaser. If you’re building out your backyard cooking setup, a quality grill can make the process even easier and help deliver consistent results every time.

Credit: Recipe courtesy of Eddie Jackson.