Name: Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken wings; 1 teaspoon paprika (I prefer smoked paprika); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Laura Lynch

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This post was originally published on A Food Lover’s Kitchen.

These delicious Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings are seasoned with a spicy and flavorful Cajun seasoning then cooked to perfection. They’re so crispy and delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating them.

If you’re a fan of chicken wings, you absolutely must try these Cajun wings. Don’t shy away if you’re not into spicy foods. You can mix up the Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice level and no matter how hot you choose the dry rub is packed with flavor.

I’m a serious chicken wing fan, so I’m always creating new flavors and trying new ways to dress up chicken wings. I have to say that these Cajun chicken wings steal the show and I find myself making them all. the. time.

The seasoning does all the work here. The outcome is amazing. You’re going to love these wings.

For a party, we like to serve these along with BBQ Chicken Wings to give two different flavors for guests to enjoy.

>> Looking for more great chicken wings? You will love these 5 Tasty Sauces for Chicken Wings.

How to Cook Chicken Wings

There are a lot of ways you can cook chicken wings. Two of our favorite ways to cook them are baking and air frying.

Baking leads to a tender and crispy wing, with a lot less fat than deep frying, and it’s an easy way to make them with much mess. It takes about 30 minutes in the oven on 400° F, turning once.

Another great way to cook chicken wings is in the air fryer. If you have one, you’re going to love how quick these are to make. Just pop them in the air fryer for 20 minutes on 400° F. Give the basket a shake halfway through cooking. They’re perfectly juicy and crispy.

How to Make Cajun Dry Rub

Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that originated in Louisiana, particularly the southwestern corner of the state where Cajun culture is most concentrated.

It’s a robust blend of spices:

Paprika
Garlic
Cayenne
Oregano
Thyme
Black pepper
Salt

Grab a bowl and mix together these spices. The amounts are in the recipe card below. This recipe leads to a fairly mild seasoning with not too much heat, because I find that most people like it this way. If you want it more spicy than this, just add more cayenne pepper until it’s the spice level you want.

Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning onto the chicken wings. The amount of seasoning in the recipe is good to cover one pound of wings. I suggest using the entire amount. It might seem like a lot, but it really ensures the flavor reaches every part of the wing.

Once the wings are coated, put them on a baking sheet to go in the oven for 30 minutes at 400° F. After 15 minutes, turn the chicken wings over and continue to bake.

They’ll become nice and crispy and browned. If they’re not quite to that stage after 30 minutes total, leave them in a bit longer. In my opinion, these are so much better when the skin of the chicken has crisped up nicely.

I don’t think these wings need any additional sauce. They’re so super flavorful with the rub alone.

Cooking Temperature for Chicken

To ensure that chicken is cooked safely and properly, it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a food thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone to accurately measure the internal temperature.

Chicken breasts, being leaner and containing less fat, cook relatively quickly and can become dry if overcooked, so you’d want to remove it from the grill when it reaches 160°F, then rest it so it reaches165°F.

On the other hand, chicken thighs have a higher fat content, which means they can be cooked longer without drying out and are often more forgiving in terms of cooking time.

To ensure meat at the bone is no longer pink, you’d want to cook bone-in pieces, like thighs and wings, to 165°F and let it rest to come up to 170°F.

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What to Serve on the Side

For sides, there is an endless array of salads and veggies that would make a good choice. Here are a few of our favorites:

These baked wings are great for parties, picnics, or even backyard barbecues. They turn out perfect every time, and the sauce makes them irresistible finger food!

If you like these, you might want to try our Sweet & Spicy Korean Chicken Wings or go a step further and brine the chicken wings for more tenderness. We also really like this Honey Sriracha sauce on chicken wings.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings

There are quite a few ways to go about reheating chicken wings if you happen to find yourself with some leftovers, but one method really stands out from the rest. We really believe that the best way to reheat chicken wings is with the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 365°F (185°C) for about 5 minutes.
Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through.

Overall, reheating chicken wings in an air fryer is a great option for those who want to enjoy hot and crispy wings fast. It provides consistent results, ensuring that the wings are heated evenly and thoroughly.

That said, it won’t matter if you use an air fryer, a toaster oven, a full oven, or a convection oven to reheat your wings. They will turn out the best when done this way because it allows for even and thorough heating, which helps retain the juicy and tender texture while ensuring they are fully heated. To read through the rest of the reheating options check out the best ways to reheat chicken wings.

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