Spicy, smoky, and incredibly juicy, these cajun baked chicken wings are super easy to make with just 2 ingredients in 20 minutes! These cajun wings are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and perfect for dipping in blue cheese or ranch dressing.
Why You’ll Love These Cajun Wings
These 20-minute oven-baked chicken wings have a good kick of heat and a perfect crunch, without having to deep fry them. Here’s why you’ve got to try these:
- Flavorful: Coated in a hearty and savory Cajun spice, these wings have just the right amount of heat to compliment the juicy chicken with crispy skin.
- Quick: Baked chicken wings only take 20 minutes to make. It’s faster to make them at home than it is to order takeout on game day!
- Easy: You only need 2 ingredients to make this baked chicken wing recipe. Just coat the wings in seasoning and pop them into the oven. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
- Mess-free: These wings won’t leave your kitchen a mess. There’s no oil splatter like you get with fried wings, and the only equipment you need is a baking sheet.
If you love making chicken wings at home, try our easy air fryer chicken wings and flavorful lemon pepper chicken wings!
What You’ll Need
You only need 2 ingredients to make finger-licking good baked chicken wings with a spicy and crispy coating. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.
- Chicken Wings: Thawed. Remember to pat them dry before you season them for crispy skin.
- Cajun Seasoning: A spicy and smoky seasoning blend that has cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic, paprika, and many other spices. We love our homemade cajun seasoning, but if you want to use store bought, try this Slap Ya Mama seasoning.
How to Make this Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
These hearty and savory oven-baked chicken wings are so easy to make. Scroll down to the recipe card for full detailed instructions.
- Prep: Preheat your oven broiler to high, and coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
- Season: Dry the chicken wings with paper towels. Then coat them with Cajun seasoning and arrange them on the baking sheet in an even layer.
- Cook: Broil the wings on high for 7 minutes. Flip the wings and lower the broiler to low. Cook wings for about 10 minutes more, until cooked throughout and they reach an internal temperature of 175°F. (Check by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the wing avoiding the bone.)
- Serve: Serve the wings hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Can I Make These In The Air Fryer?
Absolutely! These juicy Cajun wings are easy to make in the air fryer. All you have to do is place the seasoned wings in a 400°F air fryer and cook for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure to cook the wings in a single even layer.
Tips for the Best Baked Chicken Wings
This recipe for baked chicken wings is easy and straightforward, but here are a few tips to guarantee success:
- Extra Hot: Most Cajun seasoning is a mild to medium level of heat. If you want your wings to be extra spicy, add cayenne pepper to taste before roasting. You can also serve them with hot sauce!
- Thoroughly Dry: It is important to dry the wings well with a paper towel before seasoning. The dryer the wings, the better the skin will crisp up!
- Use Foil: This is a mess-free recipe, but you can make it even easier to clean up by using foil! Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil and mist it with nonstick cooking spray before beginning.
- Watch Closely: Anything cooked under the broiler will cook very quickly and can burn if you aren’t paying attention. If you notice the meat getting too dark, you can drop the broiler to low, or move the baking sheet down a level.
- Prep Ahead: If you are having a party, you can prep these party wings ahead by getting them fully ready to go into the oven. Instead of baking them, wrap them tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
- Extra Crispy: Try lining a baking sheet with a wire rack to lift the wings. This helps them get hot air on all sides as they cook, making them extra crispy all around!
Serving Suggestions
We like to keep it traditional and serve these crispy Cajun wings with carrots, celery, and a smooth sauce to dip them in. Here are a few easy dips that pair perfectly:
How to Store & Reheat Leftover Baked Wings
These wings store great as leftovers, especially if you reheat them in the air fryer to get them crispy again.
- Fridge: Store cooled wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat wings is in an air fryer set to 350°F for about 3 minutes, until warmed through.
- Freeze: Place cooled wings in an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from the freezer in a 400°F air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Easy Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- French Onion Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
- Ranch Ritz Cracker Chicken
Yield: 4 servings
Cajun Baked Chicken Wings
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these baked chicken wings are smoky, spicy, and the perfect appetizer or party food. You only need 2 ingredients and 20 minutes to make these irresistible Cajun wings!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing, optional for dipping
Instructions
- Place an oven rack on the second level from your oven's broiler, then preheat the broiler on high.
- Spray a medium-sized baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings completely dry. Coat all of the wings on both sides with the Cajun seasoning and set them on the baking sheet, leaving room between each wing.
- Broil the wings on high for 7 minutes.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and flip the wings over.
- Lower the broiler to low, then put the wings back in the oven. Broil for 10 more minutes, or until the wings reach an internal temperature of 175°F on an instant read meat thermometer.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dip and fresh carrots and celery, if desired.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: The best way to reheat wings is in an air fryer set to 350°F for about 3 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze: Place cooled wings in an airtight freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from the freezer in a 400°F air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes.
Air Fryer: Place the seasoned wings in a 400°F air fryer and cook for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure to cook the wings in a single even layer.
Extra Hot: Most Cajun seasoning is a mild to medium level of heat. If you want your wings to be extra spicy, add cayenne pepper to taste before roasting. You can also serve them with hot sauce!
Thoroughly Dry: It is important to dry the wings well with a paper towel before seasoning. The dryer the wings, the better the skin will crisp up!
Prep Ahead: If you are having a party, you can prep these party wings ahead by getting them fully ready to go into the oven. Instead of baking them, wrap them tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
Extra Crispy: Try lining a baking sheet with a wire rack to lift the wings. This helps them get hot air on all sides as they cook, making them extra crispy all around!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 282kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 92mg, Potassium: 271mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 1904IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 2mg
