Lemon Fire Wings

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Lemon Fire Wings are spicy, sticky, lemony chicken wings with a Thai red pepper and fresh lemon sauce.

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The heat level of these is medium-hot, but it can be easily adjusted based on your heat preference (see tips in Directions). These are great grilled, air-fried, or in the oven, and the chicken wings can also be substituted for chicken thighs.

WARNING: Thai chili peppers are full of spicy capsaicin which will burn if it contacts sensitive skin. Be careful when handling these peppers and wash your hands thoroughly or wear gloves. Citric acid (lime or lemon juice) can help neutralize the capsaicin.

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WHAT YOU'LL NEED (scroll to full ingredient list)

• Skillet or Deep pan

• Mixing Bowl

• Microplane/Zester

• Citrus Juicer

• Air Fryer

• Chicken wings, bone-in

• Garlic

• Lemon

• Olive oil

• Thai red peppers

• Cayenne powder

• Honey

• Butter

• Black pepper

• Salt to taste

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DIRECTIONS

STEP 1: MARINADE

• Add all the marinade ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well.

• Add the chicken wings and fully coat in the marinade.

STEP 2: MARINATE

• Cover the mixing bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours, or at least 30 minutes.

STEP 3: COOK

• Grill over medium heat, flipping every few minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170F (about 15 minutes total).

  • Alternatively, the chicken wings can be cooked at 425F for 12-15 minutes in an air fryer or 20-25 minutes in the oven with a flip halfway through.

STEP 4: LEMON FIRE SAUCE

• Add the olive oil to a preheated skillet over medium heat.

• Add the chopped garlic and cook until it just begins to brown and become fragrant, then turn the heat to low.

• Add the lemon juice, butter, cayenne powder, black pepper, and honey.

• Mix well and then bring to a low simmer until the sauce begins to thicken (5-10 minutes).

• Mix in the sliced Thai peppers and salt to taste.

STEP 5: COAT

• Add the cooked chicken wings to the pan and fully coat it with the sauce.

  • Alternatively, the wings can be added to a large bowl and tossed with the sauce.

• Top with fresh grated lemon zest and chopped parsley.

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INGREDIENTS

Makes 15-20 wings

MARINADE

• 2 lbs chicken wings, bone-in

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1 lemon juiced

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/4 C olive oil

LEMON FIRE SAUCE

• 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

• 1 TBSP olive oil

• Zest of 1 lemon (save half for serving)

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 5 Thai red peppers, sliced

• 1/2 tsp cayenne powder

• 1/3 C honey

• 4 TBSP butter, unsalted

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

HEAT ADJUSTMENTS

The spicy portion of the sauce comes from the cayenne powder and Thai red peppers. This recipe is a medium-hot spicy level. However, you can make a mild version by completely omitting the cayenne pepper and reducing the Thai red peppers to 1. You can always add more Thai peppers later if you prefer.

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