Lemon Pepper Chicken | Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Drumsticks

If you're looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal, then you should try making lemon pepper chicken drumsticks in an air fryer. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy crispy and juicy chicken without the added calories and oil from deep-frying.

While You'll Love This Citrus Chicken

• Fast. Flavorful lemon pepper chicken that's done in under 30 minutes.
• Easy. Marinate the chicken drumsticks, toss them in the air fryer, and enjoy!
• Low Carb. Only 1 net carb per serving!
• High Protein. This lemon pepper chicken packs a whopping 14 grams of protein per serving.

With just a few ingredients and 25 minutes in the air fryer, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.

What Is The Secret To Moist Chicken?

There are several different steps you can take to ensure that your chicken is moist, but those steps will vary depending on the cut of chicken you're using, and the dish you are making.

For this lemon pepper chicken recipe, there are two primary tips to use to ensure your chicken drumsticks stay moist. They are:

1. Use a meat thermometer. Overcooking chicken is the biggest culprit of dry meat. A meat thermometer will help you cook the chicken to the perfect temperature without overdoing it. The internal temperature of fully cooked chicken should reach 165°F.
2. Let it rest. Allowing the chicken to rest for several minutes after cooking can help distribute the juices and keep the meat moist.

What Happens When You Add Lemon To Chicken?

Adding lemon to chicken can add bright, tangy, and acidic flavors to the dish. The acidic properties of lemon juice can also help to tenderize and marinate the chicken, making it juicier and more flavorful.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Chicken drumsticks
• Lemon
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Dried basil
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Onion powder

How To Make Lemon Pepper Chicken

If you have just a few minutes, some simple ingredients, and an air fryer you can use the simple steps below to make a dinner that the whole family will love!

1. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, black pepper, salt, basil, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Reserve half.
2. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl and pour half of the lemon pepper mixture over them. Make sure that each drumstick is coated evenly. Allow them to marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
4. Place the coated drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure that they are not touching each other.
5. Cook for 25 minutes, flipping the drumsticks once halfway through and using the lemon and herb sauce that wasn't used to marinate the chicken to brush on top.
6. Once the drumsticks are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165F, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious and crispy lemon pepper drumsticks!

Variations

• Make it spicy. Add a dash of hot sauce to your marinade for a kick of heat to your bite.
• Bulk up the flavor. If you want a bite that packs a bigger punch of lemon pepper flavor, sprinkle some lemon pepper seasoning on your drumsticks when they're fresh out of the air fryer.
• Switch out the cut. Are drumsticks not your thing? No big deal. Use my instructions on how to make air fryer chicken thighs and use the marinade in this recipe for a boneless bite.

What To Serve With Them

Lemon pepper chicken drumsticks pair well with a variety of side dishes, including a few of my favorites:

1. Roasted or steamed vegetables. Try pairing the drumsticks with roasted or steamed vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, carrots, or broccoli.
2. Salad. A fresh green salad can balance out the richness of the chicken and add a crunchy texture.
3. Grains. Serve the drumsticks with grains such as rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up the delicious sauce and add some bulk to the meal.
4. Baked or roasted potatoes. Baked or roasted potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with lemon pepper chicken drumsticks.

How Long Do They Last?

Cooked chicken drumsticks can last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container and if you need to store them longer than that, they can last in the freezer for up to 4 months.

When in doubt, use the smell test to check if the chicken is still good. If it has a strong or sour odor, it's best to discard it.

More Drumstick Recipes

• Blackened Chicken Drumsticks
• Air Fried Chicken Legs with Cilantro Pesto
• Tempero Baiano

Pin It!

If you love this Lemon Pepper Chicken as much as we do, make sure you share the recipe with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make them again soon.