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    Home » Course » Main Course

    Whole30 Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

    Published: Aug 9, 2020 · Modified: Oct 3, 2022 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    This is the best Whole30 chicken wings recipe! These salt and pepper wings are crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside and you will love how easy these are to grill on the barbecue, bake in the oven or cook in an air fryer. You only need three ingredients to make them and these chicken wings are also gluten free, paleo and keto!

    A plate full of cooked salt and pepper chicken wings with a bowl of ranch dip.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • These healthy salt and pepper chicken wings are so tasty! 
    • They are really easy to make. 
    • You only need 3 ingredients to make these keto chicken wings. 
    • They are nice and crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside. 
    • You can make them on the barbecue, bake them in the oven, or cook in an air fryer. 
    • This chicken wing recipe is low carb, keto, paleo, gluten free and dairy free. 
    • They are made with no oil and no sauce! 

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    • Chicken wings - fresh chicken wings are the star of this recipe. If you buy frozen chicken wings, be sure to thaw them first. 
    • Sea salt - sea salt is such a simple delicious spice that gives these paleo chicken wings so much flavour! 
    • Ground black pepper - a little black pepper adds more flavour and a little spice to these simple chicken wings. 

    How to make this recipe:

    To grill the chicken wings:

    Step one:

    First, wash, dry and cut your chicken wings (or just wash and dry if you have pre-cut chicken wings).

    Step two:

    Next, turn your bbq onto high heat and let it heat up. While your barbecue is heating up, sprinkle a baking tray with sea salt and pepper.

    A baking sheet with salt and pepper on it.

    Step three:

    Then place all the chicken wings on your bbq grill. Cook the chicken wings for ~5 minutes and then flip them over. Cook the other side for ~5 minutes. Then repeat this process twice more, so the total cooking time is ~20 minutes until the wings are crisp and browned on the outside. 

    Chicken wings being cooked a grill.

    Step four:

    Lastly, transfer the chicken wings to the pre-seasoned baking tray and rub the wings into the salt and pepper to coat the bottom side. Sprinkle the top with additional sea salt and ground pepper to taste. Then serve and enjoy!

    Cooked chicken wings on a baking sheet coated in salt and pepper.

    To cook in an air fryer:

    Step one:

    Sprinkle one side of the chicken wings with sea salt and pepper. Then lay the wings on the tray or place them in the basket of your air fryer (you want them to be in a single layer, do not pile them on top of each other or they won’t cook properly).

    Step two:

    Cook the wings at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes (the cooking time will depend on the size of the wings and how crowded they are).

    Step three:

    Flip the chicken wings, sprinkle the other side with sea salt and pepper and then cook for an additional 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, until the wings are nice and crisp.

    To bake in the oven:

    Step one:

    First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Step two:

    Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the wings out across the baking sheet. 

    Step three:

    Now sprinkle the chicken wings with salt and pepper. Then bake the wings for 20 minutes. 

    Step four:

    Lastly, remove the tray from the oven, flip the chicken wings over and coat the opposite side with salt and pepper. Then bake them for another 20-25 minutes, until nice and crispy on the outside. 

    Chef's tips:

    • These wings cook better if you dry them completely before grilling.
    • This recipe is very adaptable. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of wings you use depending on how many people you are serving.
    • The drumettes/ drumsticks often take longer to cook than the flat chicken wings so you may have to remove them from the barbecue first. 
    • Keep the lid of the barbecue open when cooking these wings to keep an eye on the wings and ensure they don't get over-cooked. 

    Variations and add ins:

    • Do you like buffalo chicken wings? Simply coat the cooked chicken wings in your favourite buffalo sauce to turn them into Whole30 buffalo chicken wings. 
    • If you like bbq chicken wings, coat the cooked chicken wings in barbecue sauce. 
    • To turn these into teriyaki chicken wings, coat the cooked wings in teriyaki sauce. 

    How to store:

    Store any leftover cooked chicken wings in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

    What to serve with chicken wings:

    • Potato salad
    • Broccoli salad
    • Sweet potato fries
    • French fries
    • Waffle fries
    • Coleslaw
    • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    • Cauliflower Fried Rice
    A plate full of salt and pepper chicken wings with a small dish ranch dressing beside it.

    Frequently asked questions:

    Do these chicken wings make good leftovers?

    Yes! I recommend heating them for a few minutes in your oven or toaster oven to warm them. I also like eating them cold right from the fridge!

    Are chicken wings Whole30 approved?

    Yes, chicken wings are Whole30 approved. All types of meat are allowed on the Whole30 program. Just be sure that if you are adding any sauce to the chicken wings that the sauce is made with Whole30 approved ingredients. 

    Is Frank's buffalo sauce Whole30 approved?

    Franks buffalo sauce is made with vinegar, aged cayenne red pepper, salt, water, canola oil, paprika, xanthan gum, garlic powder, natural flavour and dimethyl silicone. Canola oil and xanthan gum are not recommended to be eaten on the Whole30 program, but the authors do say that occasionally eating it is allowed, so Frank's buffalo sauce would be Whole30 approved, just use it sparingly.  

    How many chicken wings are in a pound?

    4-5 depending on the size of the wings. 4-5 chicken wings is also considered the serving size for chicken wings.

    Other recipes you will love:

    • Air Fryer Pork Ribs
    • Healthy Sloppy Joes
    • Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli
    • Turkey Meatballs with Cranberries
    • Whole30 Salmon Loaf with Dill Sauce

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Whole30 Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

    These Whole30 salt and pepper chicken wings are so good! Crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside you will love how easy they are to make. They are also paleo and keto!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Lactose
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 680kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Ingredients

    • 5 lbs chicken wings
    • sea salt (to taste)
    • ground black pepper (to taste)

    Instructions

    • Wash, dry and cut your chicken wings (or just wash and dry if you have pre-cut chicken wings).
    • Turn your bbq onto high heat and let it heat up.
    • While your bbq is heating, sprinkle a baking tray with sea salt and pepper.
    • Place all the chicken wings on your bbq grill.
    • Cook the first side of the chicken wings for ~5 minutes and then flip them over to the other side.
    • Cook the other side for ~5 minutes. Then repeat this process twice more, so the total cooking time is ~20 minutes until the wings are crisp and browned on the outside.
    • Transfer the chicken wings to the pre-seasoned baking tray and rub the wings into the salt and pepper to coat the bottom side. Sprinkle the top with additional sea salt and ground pepper to taste. Then serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. This recipe is very adaptable. Depending on how many people you need to feed feel free to increase or decrease the amount of wings you make. 
    2. The drumettes/ drumsticks often take longer to cook than the flat chicken wings so you may have to remove them from the barbecue first. 
    3. Keep the lid of the barbecue open when cooking these wings to keep an eye on the wings and ensure they don't get over-cooked. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 680kcal | Protein: 56g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 236mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 478mg | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    More Healthy Main Courses

    • Mango Chicken Curry
    • Paleo Curried Butternut Squash Soup
    • Denver Steak
    • Blackened Mahi Mahi

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristie

      August 17, 2020 at 10:45 pm

      These chicken wings are THE BEST!5 stars

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        August 28, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        They really are!!!

        Reply

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    Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialities in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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