Oven-baked cajun ranch wings are tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Baked chicken wings are a great party appetizer but they are also delicious for lunch or dinner paired with a hearty salad or your favorite side dishes.

Chicken wings are tasty in their own right, but when combined with cajun seasoning and ranch dressing, they are way more delicious! These wings are marinated for 30 minutes before baking so every bit of the chicken is coated with this bold and spicy sauce.

While marinating is an extra step, it makes all the difference in flavor. Also try my Instant pot turkey wings recipe, so good!

Crispy wings don't have to mean reaching for a deep fryer or a pot of oil. You can make an amazing batch of chicken wings right in your own oven.

Since these cajun wings are baked instead of cooked in a deep fryer, they are healthier and easier to make. There's minimal clean-up, just one sheet pan, and a bowl. Once they're in the oven, just wait until they're crispy and golden, then enjoy them with your favorite sauces and sides!

This simple and delicious recipe is a great dinner option because there aren't any complex steps, fancy ingredients, or special tools required. Just 5 everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry.

Recipe ingredients

Chicken wings. Fresh or thawed drumettes and flats separated or keep the wings whole if you prefer.

Cajun seasoning. A spicy Louisiana spice blend made of cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano.

Ranch dressing. Homemade or store bought dressing. Hidden Valley Ranch is a popular favorite.

Minced garlic. Optional but adds so much garlicky flavor that pairs well with ranch dressing and chicken wings.

Green onions. Used for garnish.

How to make Cajun ranch wings

If your chicken wings are frozen you need to defrost them first. Leave them in the fridge overnight or simply on the counter for a few hours.

If you are planning to make your meal soon but the wings are frozen, you can submerge them in cold water. This way they will thaw much faster.

Place thawed wings (remove extra liquid) into a medium size bowl. Add ranch dressing and Cajun spices. I used a premade Cajun spice mix.

If using garlic, mince it and add to the bowl. You can also use 1 tablespoon of garlic powder instead. Mix wings with dressing and seasonings very well, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

The marinating process will ensure that chicken will soak up that delicious Cajun ranch flavor. Try to prepare it in the evening and keep wings in the fridge overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay baking dish with parchment paper and place wings inside one by one. Leave a little bit of space between each wing. It will ensure proper cooking.

Bake for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to stick meat thermometer away from the bone.
Bone heats much faster then the meat.

Optionally turn the broiler on for the last 5 minutes of cooking time. It will give wings more color but will not make them crispy simply because they are covered in sauce and too wet.

Tips for the best crispy wings

• Use thawed wings. If your chicken wings are frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. This will ensure that the wings can soak up the flavor of the cajun ranch marinade.
• Use parchment paper. This is a must for oven-fried foods. It helps with easy cleanup because it prevents the wings from sticking to the sheet pan.
• Bake at a high temperature. At temperatures under 400F, wings can easily dry out before becoming crispy. Cooking at a higher temperature will ensure that we get the skin golden brown and crispy while maintaining juicy and tender meat.
• Bake in a single layer. Don't stack the wings, otherwise, they will steam inside the oven. Leave a little bit of room around each one so they all get a chance to crisp up evenly while baking.

Substitutions

• Switch up the cut of meats. Instead of chicken wings, use legs or thighs. Just bake the meat a little longer to ensure it's fully cooked.
• Choose a mild seasoning. Some brands of cajun seasoning can be a bit spicy, so if you are cooking for kids, choose a milder seasoning or make your own!

Variations

One of the best things about chicken wings, aside from eating them, is that you can switch up the seasonings any way you like!

• Use buffalo sauce. Instead of cajun seasoning, add a few tablespoons of buffalo sauce to the ranch dressing to create buffalo ranch chicken wings.
• Use lemon pepper seasoning. Lemon pepper has so many delicious flavors that pair wonderfully with ranch dressing.

Frequently asked questions

Serving

I love to serve it over a steamy bowl of white rice. Juices soak into the rice and makes it extra special. Or serve wings on top of creamy mashed potatoes. That must be everybody’s favorite!

Storage

Leftovers. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 6 days. Use an air tight container or a bowl covered with foil or a zip lock bag.

Freezer. You can freeze this dish and eat later. Just place wings in the freezer safe zip lock bag or air tight container and keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Reheat in the microwave for couple minutes. If frozen let it thaw first or microwave for full 3- 4 minutes.

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• Instant pot turkey necks
• Turkey necks in crock pot
• Turkey gizzards recipe

Hope you will like this cajun ranch wings recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you u have any questions or suggestions.