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    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Simple Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings (so crispy!)

    Modified: Mar 29, 2025 • Published: Aug 9, 2020 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • 2 Comments

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    These are the best salt and pepper chicken wings! These wings are nice and crispy on the outside yet juicy and tender on the inside. They are so easy to make and are made with no oil. You only need three ingredients to make them!

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

    This is the chicken wing recipe I grew up eating. I really cannot take credit for it as it was my dad who made these, but they are always such a hit that I couldn't keep the recipe to myself any longer. I hope you love them as much as we do!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make salt and pepper chicken wings (grilling method):
    • Alternate cooking methods:
    • Top Tips:
    • Salt and pepper chicken wings FAQs:
    • Other recipes you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • The flavour! These chicken wings are so tasty! They are nice and crispy on the outside yet moist and tender on the inside.
    • They are really easy to make and only require 3 ingredients.
    • You can make them on the barbecue, bake them in the oven, or cook them in an air fryer. 
    • This easy chicken wing recipe is healthy, low carb, keto, paleo, gluten-free, oil free, dairy free and Whole30 compliant. They are also made with no batter. 
    • These crispy wings make a great appetizer and are also perfect for picnics, barbecues, tailgates, Super Bowl parties, game days, or any weeknight dinner.

    If you love chicken wings you will also want to make my honey lemon pepper chicken wings and air fryer frozen chicken wings.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the exact measurements refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card
    A bowl of chicken wings with salt and pepper next to it.
    • Chicken wings - fresh chicken wings are the star of this recipe. If you buy frozen chicken wings, be sure to thaw them first. To make this recipe even easier I recommend buying pre-cut chicken wings if you can find them.
    • Salt and pepper - the only seasonings you need to season these delicious wings. 

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • To turn them into buffalo wings: coat the cooked chicken wings in your favourite buffalo sauce.
    • To make into bbq wings: coat the cooked chicken wings in healthy barbecue sauce.
    • To turn into teriyaki chicken wings: coat the cooked wings in healthy teriyaki sauce.
    • Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of wings you cook depending on how many people you are serving.

    How to make salt and pepper chicken wings (grilling method):

    A baking sheet with salt and pepper sprinkled on it.

    Step 1

    Turn your bbq onto high heat and let it heat up. While your barbecue is heating, sprinkle a baking sheet with sea salt and ground black pepper.

    A barbecue with uncooked chicken wings on it.

    Step 2

    Place the chicken wings on your barbecue grill. Cook the chicken wings for about 5 minutes and then flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes. Then repeat this process twice more, so the total cooking time is about 20 minutes until the wings are crisp and browned on the outside. 

    A baking sheet with cooked salt and pepper chicken wings.

    Step 3

    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 salt and pepper to taste. Then serve and enjoy!

    Alternate cooking methods:

    • To make in an air fryer: coat the chicken wings with salt and pepper and then place the wings in your air fryer and cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, then flip the chicken wings and cook for another 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, until the wings are nice and crisp.
    • To bake in the oven: preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the wings out across the baking sheet. Sprinkle the chicken wings with salt and pepper and bake the wings for 20 minutes, then 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. 

    Top Tips:

    • Dry the wings completely before you cook them to help them get extra crispy.
    • 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.  
    • These wings are delicious served as is, but you could also serve them with a dipping sauce as buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, bbq sauce, ketchup, honey mustard sauce, or mustard aioli.
    A plate full of salt and pepper chicken wings with a small dish of ranch dressing beside them.

    Salt and pepper chicken wings FAQs:

    How many chicken wings are in a pound?

    6-8 depending on the size of the wings. 6-8 chicken wings is also considered the serving size for chicken wings.

    How should I store any leftover wings?

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

    What goes well with chicken wings?

    You can serve chicken wings with many different side dishes. Some of my favourite sides to pair with these wings include:
    Healthy dairy free potato salad
    Easy healthy broccoli salad
    Sugar free coleslaw
    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    Cauliflower Fried Rice

    Other recipes you will love:

    • Cooked pork ribs on a serving tray with a side of bbq sauce.
      The Best BBQ Air Fryer Ribs (so easy!)
    • A bowl of Whole30 teriyaki chicken and broccoli with chopsticks in it.
      Whole30 Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli
    • Cooked pork belly pieces on a plate with a side of soy sauce.
      Easy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
    • A plate with cranberry turkey meatballs on it with a bowl of cranberry sauce beside the meatballs.
      Oven Baked Cranberry Turkey Meatballs (so easy!)

    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!

    Recipe

    Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

    These 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.
    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 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 336kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Ingredients

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

    Instructions

    • Cut and dry your chicken wings.
    • Turn your barbecue onto high heat and let it heat up.
    • While your barbecue is heating, sprinkle a baking sheet with sea salt and ground black pepper.
    • Place all the chicken wings on your bbq grill and cook the first side of the chicken wings for ~5 minutes and then flip them over to the other side.
    • Cook the wings for another 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 sheet 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. 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. 
    3. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 64.8g | Protein: 31.5g | Fat: 22.4g | Saturated Fat: 6.7g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 478mg | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    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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