Recipe

Crispy Tangy Lemon Pepper Wings
with Goat Cheese Ranch

Servings: 10-12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes

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:

1. Brine the Wings:
In a large bowl, combine water, soy sauce, black peppercorns, smashed garlic,
salt and sugar. Add the chicken wings, making sure they are all submerged.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

2. Bake the Wings:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
Remove the wings from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels (this
step is very important–The drier the wing, the crispier the result!)
In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil, lemon zest, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and powdered vinegar until evenly coated.

3. Bake the Wings:
Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the wings are crispy
and golden brown, flipping halfway through.

4. Finish with Lemon:
Once the wings are done, immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over them to taste.

5. Prepare the Goat Cheese Ranch:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the goat cheese, Greek yogurt or sour
cream, and mayonnaise until smooth.
Add the minced garlic, chives, dill, parsley, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.