Chicken Taco Seasoning is an easy homemade seasoning blend with magical powers to transform the blandest chicken to full-on fiesta-worthy. Mix up a big batch to spice up your favorite recipes on busy weeknights or taco Tuesday.
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This homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe is so delicious, easy to make, and waaaaayyyy less expensive than those store-bought packets.
Seriously, in just a few minutes, you can mix up a batch of your very own taco seasoning mix, customized it to suit your taste preference!
This zesty spice blend will liven up chicken taco meat for all your favorite dishes like shredded or ground chicken tacos, taco salads, or burritos.
You can also use it in ground beef or ground turkey tacos or any of your favorite recipes that call for taco seasoning like Walking Taco Casserole, Chicken Taco Hashbrown Casserole, Taco Dip, or Rotel Dip.
This small batch recipe makes about the equivalent of one packet of taco seasoning, enough to season one pound of chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or ground chicken or turkey.
But I often make a double batch -- or triple -- and store it in a mason jar so I always have some for a last minute taco night.
Why You're Going to Love This
Make your own seasoning blend with simple ingredients from your spice cabinet
Perfect seasoning blend to liven up your favorite chicken recipe
Super easy recipe to customize with different spices
Ingredients
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground coriander
- Oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper and/or crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Recipe Variations
Add more or less. See a spice you think there should be more of? Try adding a little bit more! Not a fan of so much *something*? Use less! This is YOUR spice blend. Make it your own!
Salt. If you're watching your sodium intake, feel free to reel back the salt.
Heat. Go bold and add more cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. Or if you prefer mild flavor, leave them out.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
In a small bowl or jar, mix together all of the ingredients.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
This recipe yields about 3 tablespoons of chicken taco seasoning. Use 2 tablespoons for each pound of chicken taco meat.
For bolder, spicier flavor, use 3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
How to Season Chicken for Tacos
Sauteed or grilled chicken. Use on its own or add to marinade before grilling or sauteeing boneless skinless chicken breast meat or chicken thighs.
Slow cooker shredded chicken. Add to raw chicken with lime juice and salsa for slow cooker shredded taco chicken meat.
Ground chicken. Brown ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef in a tablespoon of olive oil until almost cooked through (no longer pink). Add chicken taco seasoning and ½ cup water, low-sodium broth, or tomato sauce. Simmer until the liquid has evaporated. For "meatier" flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons chicken bouillon with the taco seasoning.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken for Tacos
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is tender and juicy and comes together with just 4 ingredients, including this yummy taco seasoning.
It's a great make ahead recipe to stash in the fridge for fast and easy dinners like shredded chicken tacos, taco salads, and quesadillas. It also freezes well.
Success Tips
For best flavor, make sure your spices are fresh. How do you know? Ground spices and herbs can last as long as 1-3 years. If you're not sure, give it a smell. If it smells like nothing, it's time to toss it.
Tweak your homemade taco seasoning mix to fit your tastes. Use more of the stuff you like, less of the ones you don't, or add something you think would make it *just right*.
Make a big batch and stash it in your spice cabinet, or give it away as gifts!
FAQs
Chicken taco seasoning is a blend of spices used to flavor chicken meat for tacos.
This homemade recipe contains chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper. For a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Use the seasoning mix to coat chicken before grilling, sauteeing, browning, or slow cooking. You can also mix it into a marinade.
Yes! You can use this spice blend on beef, pork, or turkey.
It depends on the specific ingredients you use. Some brands of chili powder are spicier than others. If you prefer milder flavor, be sure to taste your chili powder and adjust it to your tastes. If you are a heat-seeker, add some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
Stuff I Use
8 oz. mason jars with lids make great big batch spice canisters.
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Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper and/or red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Add all of the chicken taco seasoning ingredients to a small bowl. Stir until combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
- This recipe yields about 3 tablespoons of chicken taco seasoning. Use 2 tablespoons for each pound of chicken taco meat. For bolder, spicier flavor, use 3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
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