Southwest Oven Baked Chicken Wings

These oven Baked Chicken Wings are Southwest seasoned, baked not fried, and served with Avocado Ranch for the ultimate party food! Minimal prep and hands-free baking make this chicken wings recipe the perfect game day recipe and party appetizer!

If you're not serving oven baked chicken wings on game day, is it even game day? This ridiculously simple chicken wings recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and less than 60 minutes of hands-free baking…woohoo! While the wings bake, you can whip up my Avocado Ranch for the ultimate dipping sauce. When these Southwest-seasoned wings hit that zesty green sauce, the Tex Mex vibes are off the hook!

Southwest Chicken Wings Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients in this chicken wings recipe include salt and pepper, a splash of oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin. It's not spicy but definitely has a Southwest feel. You could easily add some cayenne or chipotle powder to bring some heat to it. Also, if you're a rookie to game day recipes, these super simple baked wings will get you into the game!

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How to buy chicken wings for a recipe

You can buy fresh chicken wings retail-packed in the meat department or by the pound at the butcher counter (ask them to remove the wing tips for you).

Frozen chicken wings are usually called chicken wing sections or party wings and are typically labeled 'first and second sections’ which include drumettes and wingettes. You might also find the drumettes, but it's not as common.

** Note: When buying frozen wings, make sure you’re not buying pre-seasoned wings if you're working from a chicken wing recipe.

How to prep wings for baking

• You can bake chicken wings frozen or thawed. I like to thaw chicken wings so I can season them (because seasoning doesn't stick to frozen wings). I'm convinced that thawed wings cook more quickly and evenly, and there's less moisture to inhibit the fat-rendering process, which makes them juicier. However, if you have an air fryer, here's an air fryer chicken wings recipe that can be cooked using frozen chicken wings.
• Before seasoning chicken wings, pat dry with paper towels. You want the skin super dry. You can even place wings on a cooling grid over a baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered up to 8 hours. This isn't required, but it does help dry the skin nicely, which can help make them crispier.
• If adding seasonings, lightly coat the wings with oil first, then seasonings.

How to bake chicken wings

1. Once excess moisture is removed, toss wings in a little oil and seasonings (or skip the oil and do a dry rub with the seasonings).
2. Place wings on an oil-sprayed cooling grid over baking sheet with a baking mat or foil in between for easy cleanup.
3. Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes, then broil until crispy (broiling times will vary depending on your crispy preference).

How long to bake chicken wings at 400°F

I find 45 minutes to be the sweet spot for oven baked chicken wings at 400°F to avoid overcooking, especially if you broil them at the end for crispier skin. Since oven times vary, it's important to always insert a meat thermometer in the center of the wings and confirm 165°F minimum internal temperature before eating.

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Do you need to flip chicken wings when baking?

Not always. When you bake chicken wings on a baking rack (cooling grid), you don't need to flip them since there's plenty of air circulation.

If you bake wings on a baking sheet without the grid, it's definitely a good idea to flip them at the halfway point to avoid overcooking one side.

What temperature are chicken wings done?

165°F is the minimum internal temperature of baked chicken when a meat thermometer is inserted in the center next to the bone. These chicken wings are no different than my Baked Chicken Legs or Baked Chicken Thighs ... or any cooked chicken when it comes to internal temperature and food safety.

Can you bake frozen wings without thawing?

It is not recommended to bake chicken wings from frozen, or even partially frozen. Doing so can cause the wings to be undercooked on the inside and overcooked on the outside. If you need to speed up the thawing process, submerge the wings in cold water and keep refrigerated until thawed (about 30 - 60 minutes).

How to get crispy chicken wings

I find the easiest way is to get crispy chicken wings is to bake them on baking sheets with cooling grids and broil on high flame until crispy. As the wings bake, the cooling grid prevents them from sitting in fat and allows hot air to circulate, which helps crisp them. Once baked, the broiler hits the surface with super high heat, which also crisps them. It happens fast, so check on them every minute while under the broiler.

Recommended Tools

• mixing bowls
• whisk or fork
• tongs
• 2 half-sized baking sheets with cooling grids (or 1 full-sized sheet)
• cooking spray
• aluminum foil, parchment, or baking mat
• meat thermometer

What to serve with chicken wings

• Avocado Ranch (for dipping)
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Loaded Potato Salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Baked Smashed Potatoes

More game day recipes

• BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
• French Onion Dip
• 5-Minute Homemade Salsa

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