Description
These Cajun Spiced Chicken Wings are perfectly crispy and packed with bold, smoky, and spicy flavors. Coated in a vibrant blend of Cajun seasoning, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika, these wings are baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh parsley. Ideal for game day, parties, or a flavorful snack, they pair wonderfully with cool ranch or tangy blue cheese dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings
Spice Mix & Coating
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Garnish & Serving
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup easier.
- Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve crispy skin when baked.
- Prepare Spice Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create a well-rounded spice coating.
- Coat the Wings: Add the dried chicken wings to the spice mixture bowl and toss until every wing is evenly coated with the flavorful blend.
- Arrange for Baking: Lay the wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping to promote even cooking and crisping.
- Bake Wings: Place the wings in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they brown evenly and become crispy.
- Rest the Wings: Remove the wings from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes to set the crispiness and make them easier to handle.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the wings to add a burst of color and a fresh herbal note.
- Serve: Serve the hot Cajun spiced chicken wings with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Patting the wings dry is essential for crispiness; skipping this step may result in soggy skin.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level to control the heat intensity.
- Using a wire rack on the baking sheet can further improve crispiness by allowing air circulation under the wings.
- Leftover wings can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crisp texture.
- For a smokier flavor, consider adding a dash of liquid smoke to the spice mixture.
