Serve up these crispy Cajun chicken wings as a snack, appetizer or entree. The chicken wings are packed with flavor, and oven baked or grilled to crispy perfection.
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These amazing Cajun wings are well seasoned, with juicy meat and crispy skin. They are really easy to make, using either homemade or store bought Cajun seasoning, and taste great.
Wings are often served as an appetizer, but I love to serve them as a snack for game night, or as an addition to the summer BBQ.
Detailed step-by-step instructions and ingredients list can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ingredients
Chicken wings: Use raw, unseasoned chicken wings. You can use frozen wings if you thaw them first.
Seasoning: Cajun seasoning is a combination of different herbs and spices. For this recipe, we will use salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano and paprika. You can also use homemade Cajun seasoning mix, or a store bought Cajun spice packet.
Baking powder: The secret to crispy chicken wings! Make sure to use aluminum-free baking powder. This will not affect the flavor of the wings, but simply help them crisp up nicely.
Vegetable oil: The oil prevents the wings from sticking to the grill or roasting rack
💡 TIP! If you buy whole chicken wings, you might want to separate them into wingettes and drumettes before cooking. Check out my easy guide on how to cut chicken wings to learn how.
Baking instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425 F / 220 C / 200 C fan oven.
- Prepare the seasoning: Combine the baking powder with all the seasoning in a bowl.
- Season the chicken wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel, and place them in a mixing bowl. Coat them in half of the seasoning, and the vegetable oil. Stir until they are coated evenly.
- Bake the wings: Place the chicken wings on a wire rack, or alternatively on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Re-season: Remove the chicken wings from the oven, and place them back in the mixing bowl. Add the remaining seasoning, and stir to coat evenly. Place them back on the wire rack, and bake for another 20 minutes, or until done.
- Serve: Serve the hot Cajun chicken wings immediately with your favorite sides or dipping sauces.
Grill instructions
- Season the wings: Prepare the seasoning as explained above, and coat the chicken wings in all the seasoning and the vegetable oil.
- Grill: Grill the wings on both sides until they are lightly charred, and cooked through. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, depending on how large the chicken wings are, and the temperature in the grill. Turn a few times while grilling to prevent them from burning.
Top tips
Here are my top tips to make the best crispy, juicy chicken wings:
- Baking powder is the secret ingredient to really crispy chicken wings. Don't substitute this with baking soda, as it won't work the same.
- If you're in doubt, you can use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken wings have cooked through before serving.
Serving suggestions
Enjoy your Cajun wings as an appetizer, snack, or entree. Wings are usually served with a dip, or paired with a side dish if you're serving them for dinner. Here are some of my favorite options:
- Healthy homemade ranch dip - Classic ranch is my favorite chicken wing dip. This healthier version is so easy to make!
- Avocado lime ranch dressing - Add a hint of avocado and lime to traditional ranch, and you've made one of Chick Fil A's most popular dips.
- Cajun dipping sauce - If you love the Cajun flavors, why not pair the wings with this creamy dipping sauce.
- Mexican potatoes - These roasted cubes of potatoes are crispy and flavorful. A great alternative to fries.
- Instant pot cilantro lime rice - Rice is so easy to make in your instant pot, and cilantro and lime makes it even better.
Browse my collection of chicken wing recipes for more delicious meal inspiration.
Variations
Spicy: For spicy Cajun wings, double up on the cayenne pepper, or add a little chili powder to the seasoning mix.
Oil free wings: You can cook the wings without added oil. Keep in mind that they could come out a little dry, and they are more likely to stick to the cooking surface if the oil is omitted.
Leftovers
Store leftover Cajun wings in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in an air fryer, oven or microwave, and serve them warm.
I recommend reheating the chicken wings in an air fryer if you have it, as they are more likely to stay crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Cajun seasoning is a spice blend that stems from Louisiana, USA. There are different versions of it, but it generally includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper and oregano.
If you're baking chicken wings in the oven, you should bake them on a wire rack rather than on a baking sheet. The air circulation around them will make them extra crispy.
You might also like these recipes
- Brine For Chicken Wings
- BBQ Baked Chicken Wings
- Honey Sriracha Wings
- Air Fryer Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Legs
- Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!
Recipe
Cajun Chicken Wings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 30 chicken wings (or 15 whole)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the baking powder with all the seasoning in a bowl.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel, and place them in a mixing bowl.
Baked wings
- Preheat the oven to 425 F / 220 C / 200 C fan oven.
- Coat the wings in half of the seasoning, and the vegetable oil. Stir until they are coated evenly.
- Place the chicken wings on a wire rack, or alternatively on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken wings from the oven, and place them back in the mixing bowl. Add the remaining seasoning, and stir to coat evenly. Place them back on the wire rack, and bake for another 20 minutes, or until done.
Grilled wings
- Prepare the seasoning as explained above, and coat the chicken wings in all the seasoning and the vegetable oil.
- Grill the wings on both sides until they are lightly charred, and cooked through. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, depending on how large the chicken wings are, and the temperature in the grill. Turn a few times while grilling to prevent them from burning.
Video
Notes
- Store leftover wings for up to 2 days, and reheat in an air fryer or oven to serve them warm.
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