Our homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe is quickly becoming one of my favorite seasonings. And trust me when I tell you, it’s not just for tacos!
The earthy, robust flavors of this delightful blend is a delicious way to elevate a plain chicken breast to a mouthwatering status, whether used as a sandwich, topping for a salad, or chicken tacos.
I know it’s called chicken taco seasoning, but trust me when I tell you it’s great on beef and pork as well. I’ve even used it on grilled shrimp!
For a quick and delicious dip, combine it (to taste) with equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Add a squeeze of lime, and you’ve got a delicious dip, sauce, or salad dressing.
But seriously, let’s get back to talking about tacos. Our chicken taco seasoning is made with easy-to-find spices that you probably already have in your pantry. And it makes the best chicken tacos!
If you love creating homemade seasoning blends made with simple ingredients, make sure to try our chili powder and our regular taco seasoning recipes.
Ingredients
Let’s start by gathering the necessary ingredients to prepare the best homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe. Culinary professionals refer to this as mise en Place, which means “everything in its Place.”
Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.
Can I change up the seasonings?
Of course you can. Although we’ve masterfully crafted the seasoning mix to our liking, and what we believe the general public will appreciate. That doesn’t mean the recipe is set in stone.
If there’s a particular seasoning you’re not fond of, such as chili powder or oregano, leave it out. If you prefer a milder flavor, try using sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika.
If you want your guests to exclaim ‘Aye Carumba,’ try adding a little bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mix. You can also increase the amount of chili powder.
And it’s okay to add more or less of any of the spices in the recipe to achieve a flavor profile that suits your taste.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make our chicken taco seasoning in your home kitchen.
- Add the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
- Mix the spice blend thoroughly to combine.
If you have a mortar and pestle set, you can use that to blend the seasonings together.
Wouldn’t our chicken taco seasoning make your next taco night extra flavorful? To make authentic, crispy shell tacos without the beef, add our homemade taco seasoning to ground turkey or ground chicken. It’s also a great way to add flavor to rice and black beans.
Store the seasoning blend in a glass jar or an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from heat and humidity for up to 6 months.
Recipe FAQs
Trust me when I tell you this seasoning blend isn’t just for tacos. It’s perfect for many of your other favorite recipes, including quesadillas, burritos, nachos, taco bowls, taco salads, or any other dish you’d like to add zesty Mexican flavor to.
Plan on using 2 to 3 tablespoons per pound of chicken. If you’re cooking bone-in chicken, go a little heavier because some of it will fall off during the cooking process.
Our recipe isn’t overly spicy or hot to the taste. However, if you’re looking for a milder version or more heat, you can easily adjust the recipe.
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Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Add the seasonings to a small bowl.
- Mix to combine thoroughly.If you have a mortar and pestle set, you can use that to blend the seasonings together.
Dee says
Tried it with chicken and beef for a crowd of 20 and everyone loved the taste. Will try heating it up a bit with cayenne as Chef Dennis suggested next time.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thank you so much for letting us know you enjoyed the seasoning. We use it regularly on chicken, beef and pork.