This easy and flavorful chicken taco seasoning is your go-to blend for delicious, perfectly spiced chicken tacos. Made from pantry staples, this homemade spice mix is healthier and more customizable than any packet from the store. For taco night or meal planning for the week, this blend will give your chicken a bold, zesty taste in minutes.
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What is Chicken Taco Seasoning?
This recipe is perfect for those seeking bold yet balanced taco seasoning recipes for chicken. It’s made with a classic mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika—plus oregano and black pepper for an herby, slightly peppery bite. Unlike store-bought packets, this blend skips fillers and preservatives, so you get pure flavor every time.
This homemade taco seasoning for chicken is great for more than just tacos. Use it to season grilled chicken, sprinkle over nachos, or stir into enchiladas and black beans for an instant flavor boost. It also works well with ground turkey or shrimp if you’re switching things up. Store your seasoning in a mason jar and you’ll always be ready for your next taco night!
Why We Love These Taco Seasoning Recipes for Chicken
There are several reasons why this homemade spice mix is better than the packaged varieties.
- Easy to make.
You likely have all the ingredients in your pantry to make chicken taco seasoning in minutes. - Less expensive.
Making chicken taco seasoning is usually more affordable, since you can make a larger batch of it relatively inexpensively. - Customize this recipe to your own taste preferences.
For example, you could leave oregano out of the recipe if you don’t like it.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Dehydrated onion: These are little flakes of dried onion. You can also substitute with ground onion powder.
- Dried oregano: We like using Mexican oregano.
- Crushed red pepper: You can add more or less according to your heat preferences.
You can easily customize these taco seasoning recipes for chicken to your own taste preferences. For example, you could leave cumin out of the recipe if you don’t like it.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
- Zesty citrus: Mix in a bit of dried lime zest or finish cooked chicken with fresh lime juice for a bright kick.
- Smoky flavor: Use smoked paprika in place of regular for a subtle smoky depth.
- Low-sodium: Reduce or omit the salt if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Sweeter touch: Add a pinch of brown sugar for a slightly sweet, Tex-Mex twist.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices! For example, you could add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or cayenne pepper or chipotle powder for a bit of heat.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Small bowl
- Airtight container
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning for Chicken
- Mix chili powder, dehydrated onion, ground cumin, sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
- Once the spices are combined, store the homemade chicken taco seasoning in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a label or mark the container so you remember what you’ve made later.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Make a big batch of this chicken taco seasoning and store it in a sealed mason jar for up to 6 months. Be sure to label it with the date and name—it’s a total time-saver for quick meals, especially when prepping for your next taco night!
How to Use Taco Seasoning for Chicken
- There are many different ways to use this homemade taco seasoning for chicken. One of the most popular is simply rubbing it onto easy sauteed chicken before cooking.
- You can also add it to ground beef or turkey before cooking it. It’s a great way to add flavor to burritos or a healthy taco salad, too.
- This may also be rubbed on chicken thighs or breasts and then baked in the oven or pan fry.
- Another popular way to use it is in a slow cooker. Add all the ingredients for your favorite chicken slow cooker recipe together, then sprinkle the seasoning mix on some of the mixture. You can always add more at the end if needed. (We absolutely love slow cooker recipes!)
Serving Suggestions
This seasoning blend works perfectly in the best chicken tacos using grilled or shredded chicken and corn tortillas. Add classic toppings like chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream—or go fresh with pico de gallo and avocado slices. Serve with sides like cilantro rice, refried or black beans, and a refreshing agua fresca or margarita. For dessert, try churros, flan, or fruit salsa with cinnamon chips. Make a big batch of your own taco seasoning so you’re ready for every craving!
Love Mexican-inspired recipes? Try our wonton taco cups for an easy and tasty appetizer. These crunchwraps on Blackstone or chicken fajitas Blackstone recipes are definitely fun dinners, especially when you’re hosting. And our Instant Pot Pozole can be made in the Instant Pot for a quick and simple weeknight dinner that’s bursting with flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use it as a dry rub. Combine the spices in a bowl and mix them together. Then rub the mixture onto your protein before cooking.
Some people like to add water, but we think it’s unnecessary. The spices will release moisture as they cook, so there’s no need to add water.
If you want to add water, we recommend adding it a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
In addition to using it as a dry rub or in a slow cooker, it can also be used to make homemade taco shells. Combine the spices in a bowl and mix them together.
This blend of taco spices will last up to six months if stored in a cool, dark place.
We recommend storing this seasoning in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. This will help keep the spices fresh and prevent them from losing flavor and caking together.
More Easy Pantry Must-Haves to Love…
If you tried this homemade taco seasoning for chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Chicken Taco Seasoning
Equipment
- small bowl
- airtight container
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dehydrated onion can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon dried onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano I like using Mexican oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, dried onions, cumin, salt, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper.
- Add to ground chicken after browning or to chicken tenderloins, cutlets, or thighs before cooking.
- Once the spices are combined, use immediately use the spice blend or store the spice mix in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a label or mark the container with "chicken taco seasoning."
- Double or triple the recipe and store it in a spice jar to use for chicken tacos. Use 3 tablespoons per pound of chicken meat.
Notes
- Spicy version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
- Zesty citrus: Mix in a bit of dried lime zest or finish cooked chicken with fresh lime juice for a bright kick.
- Smoky flavor: Use smoked paprika in place of regular for a subtle smoky depth.
- Low-sodium: Reduce or omit the salt if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Sweeter touch: Add a pinch of brown sugar for a slightly sweet, Tex-Mex twist.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices! For example, you could add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or cayenne pepper or chipotle powder for a bit of heat.
- This blend of taco spices will last up to six months if stored in a cool, dark place.
We recommend storing this seasoning in a glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. This will help keep the spices fresh and prevent them from losing flavor and caking together.
Nutrition
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Michelle says
Love how flavorful this seasoning is and so versatile too! I’ve used it so many times now it is a staple in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Kushigalu says
Simple and delicious taco seasoning. Thanks for the recipe.
Shelby says
This chicken taco seasoning is the best! Made a big batch so we always have some on hand for Mexican night.
Karlie says
I have been guilty of loving the taco bell seasoning packets… but they’re SO packed with sodium that I needed a replacement. This was perfect, and great on anything (not just chicken!)
Lauren says
This taco seasoning worked perfectly on our chicken tostadas tonight. Everyone loved the flavor – will use again!