Blackened Chicken Wings with Spicy Cajun Dry Rub

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-27 · Updated 2026-05-27

Juicy chicken wings coated in a smoky, spicy blackened Cajun seasoning, pan-seared until the skin is charred and flavorful. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 3 lbs) chicken wings, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 24 pieces (about 3 lbs) chicken wings
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the blackened Cajun dry rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 24 chicken wings with paper towels. Rub the dry seasoning mixture evenly over all wings, coating each wing thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the wings in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the skin is charred and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and rest 5 minutes before serving.