This chicken taco seasoning recipe is an easy and flavor-packed homemade Mexican spice blend that you can put together in just a couple of minutes. It's so easy and so good, you won't want to buy another packet of taco seasoning ever again!
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Why make your own taco seasoning?
- Easy: Homemade chicken taco seasoning is as simple as scooping a few items from your spice cabinet into a jar and mixing them together. Keep it on hand for taco Tuesday (or any taco night, of course), or using in your favorite recipes.
- Cheaper: Save cash by making your own spice blend. It's practically effortless, and it tastes way better than what you can buy at the grocery store.
- Healthier: Store bought taco seasoning blends are usually high in sodium and often contain sugar, anti-caking agents, cornstarch, artificial flavors, and other ingredients, (even vegetable oil). This homemade taco seasoning is free from MSG, preservatives and additives, and naturally gluten-free.
- Customizable: You can make your own seasoning blend as spicy, or not spicy, as you like. You can control the amount of salt, too. Omit the salt for a low-sodium taco seasoning, or use more if you prefer a saltier blend. Adjust any of the individual spices for your preferences.
- Versatile: I developed this taco seasoning mix recipe for chicken tacos, and it's delicious with both ground chicken tacos, or shredded chicken tacos. However, I also use this taco seasoning for any taco meat, including ground beef, shredded beef, ground turkey, and even shrimp tacos, taco casserole, or fish tacos. And don't stop at tacos, either! I use this taco seasoning anywhere I want Mexican flavors, like quesadillas, burrito bowls, chili, (like my crock pot chicken chili), fajita seasoning, or salsa (try my roasted chili corn salsa). I sometimes even make a dip with this seasoning blend. Just add some to a combination of mayonnaise and sour cream.
What you need to make taco seasoning
Exact ingredient quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chili powder: In the USA and Canada, chili powder is a blend of spices with very little heat. Everywhere else, chili powder is just pure dried and ground chiles and it's definitely hot. This recipe is using American chili powder.
- Paprika: Use smoked paprika if you like a smoky flavor in your taco seasoning.
- Garlic powder: You will need dried garlic powder for this recipe.
- Onion powder: I sometimes use dried minced onion.
- Cumin: An essential seasoning in Mexican dishes, cumin adds a warm, lemony flavor.
- Oregano: Use dried oregano for chicken taco seasoning, and if you can find Mexican oregano, it would be perfect, but not essential.
- Salt and black pepper.
- Red pepper flakes: For a little hint of spice.
How to make chicken taco seasoning
Its so simple! Simply whisk all of the spice ingredients together.
Put the blended seasoning mix in an airtight container with a lid (a mason jar works great). Store in a cool dark place such as a pantry, drawer, or cabinet.
How to use your homemade spice blend
This flavorful spice mix makes the best chicken tacos! I make chicken tacos with either ground chicken, or I use boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, cubed.
I also use shredded chicken breasts. Just put boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crockpot with one cup of canned diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), and two tablespoons of chicken taco seasoning. Cook for 6-8 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high. Shred the chicken with a fork and fill corn tortillas, flour tortillas, or hard taco shells.
This seasoning blend is just as good on turkey. I use it for turkey tacos, and turkey nachos.
I use this versatile Mexican spice for chicken enchiladas, and even seafood enchiladas.
Other favorite ways to use it are on eggs, like my baked huevos rancheros, and bacon and egg breakfast tacos.
What to serve chicken tacos with
Mexican fried rice is a perfect side dish for tacos. My roasted chili corn salsa can be served as a side dish or taco topping.
Serve with your favorite toppings, like avocado slices, shredded lettuce, coleslaw, halved cherry tomatoes or tomato slices, sour cream, lime juice, or red onion.
And don't forget the hot sauce! Two of my homemade favorites are Mango Habanero Hot Sauce and Cayenne Pepper Sauce.
More homemade seasoning blends
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!
Recipe
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Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chili powder *
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the spice ingredients.
- Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container, such as a mason jar with a lid.
Jenny
This is my favorite seasoning. In addition to chicken tacos, I have used it to season a whole pan of chicken thighs, potatoes, and wings! It never disappoints!
Colleen
Those are great ways to use taco seasoning, Jenny. Thanks for sharing!
Veronika
Love making my own spice blends! So much better and cheaper than the store bought ones! This was delicious on our chicken tacos.
Colleen
Hi Veronika, I'm so happy it was delicious for your tacos. Thanks for commenting!
Jacqueline Debono
I can't buy ready made taco seasoning here in Italy. So, I usually make my own. This has become one of my go-to homemade seasoning recipes. Thank you!
Maddy
I love this homemade taco seasoning- it's the perfect combination of spices to make the perfect taco flavor.
Colleen
Hi Maddy. I'm so happy that you love this seasoning blend. Thanks for sharing!
Kristina
This is my go to recipe for homemade taco seasoning. I probably use it once a week for all sorts of dishes. It's wonderful!
Colleen
Hi Kristina, this is great to hear! Thank you for commenting.
Tammy
Homemade seasoning is so easy to make and makes cooking a lot easier when you have everything mixed together and ready to go. Love the sound of this! Perfect for a variety of dishes.
Lauren
This taco seasoning worked out perfectly in taco bowls I made for dinner. It's so easy to just make your own seasoning - thanks fo rthis recipe!
Colleen
You're welcome, Lauren! So happy it worked well for your taco bowls!
Elaine
I used this recipe on my taco last night and i loved the blend of the flavors, it came out so perfect!
Colleen
I'm happy to hear that your taco recipe turned out perfect, Elaine!
Bernice
An excellent blend of fresh spices and herbs. Tried it on our last BBQ chicken dinner and it was delicious. So glad I doubled the recipe so we could have tacos the next day.
Colleen
Hi Bernice. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this spice blend. Thank you for commenting!
Marta
I love how simple and flavorful this chicken taco seasoning blend is. I also appreciate that it allows me to customize the spices to add more of what I like.
Colleen
So glad you love it, Marta!
Sky
I made a batch of this last night and used it for some chicken tacos. Loved the flavor! I will definitely be keeping this on hand for future recipe! Thanks for sharing!!
Colleen
Hi Sky, I'm happy that you loved the flavor of this taco seasoning blend. Thanks for your feedback!
Donalyn
Everyone needs a few mixes like this in the cupboard and I love this one! Great blend of flavors.
Colleen
Hi Donalyn, It's great to hear that you love the taco seasoning blend. Thanks for your feedback!
Nathanaelle Yoshimura
THANK YOU for posting this! I like being able to buy the spices individually from brands I trust. I've gotten celiac reactions before from taco seasoning. Gonna try it with our chicken taco bowl this week!
Colleen
You're so welcome, Nathanaelle! The great thing about making your own blends is knowing what's in it, especially with celiac or allergies. Enjoy the chicken taco bowl!
Fay
Great seasoning! Love it!
Colleen
I'm glad you love it, Fay!
Cathleen
First of all, the spoon in your photos is so cute, where did you get it (or did you make it??)
Second of all, why have I never thought to make this at home? This is perfect!
Colleen
Hi Cathleen, I'm pretty sure the spoon in the photos is one of my thrift store finds! I hope you like the taco seasoning!