• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Money
  • About

Midwestern HomeLife

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes » The BEST Chicken Taco Seasoning

    Published: Apr 17, 2023 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    The BEST Chicken Taco Seasoning

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    chicken taco seasoning in a mason jar
    white plate of chicken taco seasoning and a spoon full of chicken taco seasoning over a mason jar of seasoning
    chicken taco seasoning on a white plate
    spoon full of chicken taco seasoning over a mason jar of seasoning

    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. 

    spoon full of chicken taco seasoning over a mason jar of seasoning
    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going to Love This
    • Ingredients
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
    • How to Season Chicken for Tacos
    • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken for Tacos
    • Success Tips
    • FAQs
    • Stuff I Use
    • More Easy Recipes
    • Let's Stay in Touch
    • Chicken Taco Seasoning

    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.

    crock pot chicken tacos next to a bowl of shredded salsa chicken

    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

    chicken taco seasoning on a white plate
    • 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. 

    chicken taco seasoning in a mason jar

    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

    shredded salsa chicken in a white bowl

    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.

    Get the recipe here. 

    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

    What is chicken taco seasoning?

    Chicken taco seasoning is a blend of spices used to flavor chicken meat for tacos.

    What spices are in chicken taco seasoning?  

    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. 

    How do I use chicken taco seasoning? 

    Use the seasoning mix to coat chicken before grilling, sauteeing, browning, or slow cooking. You can also mix it into a marinade. 

    Can I use chicken taco seasoning for other types of meat?

    Yes! You can use this spice blend on beef, pork, or turkey.  

    Is chicken taco seasoning spicy?

    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. 

    More Easy Recipes

    • shredded salsa chicken in a white bowl
      Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
    • Chicken Taco Hash Brown Casserole (Oven Recipe)
    • taco ring covered in toppings with guacamole in the center on a wooden cutting board
      Easy Taco Ring Recipe (with Video)
    • walking taco casserole with fritos in a skillet
      Walking Taco Casserole with Fritos

    Let's Stay in Touch

    Follow Midwestern HomeLife on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe via email to receive all of the latest recipes!

    chicken taco seasoning on a white plate

    Chicken Taco Seasoning

    Cara Lanz
    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. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 15 kcal

    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. 

    Notes

    For best flavor, use fresh spices. 
    Tweak your homemade taco seasoning mix to fit your tastes -- like more or less heat, salt, cumin ... whatever!
    Make a big batch and stash it in your spice cabinet, or give it away as gifts!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 15kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 326mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 657IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs (Boneless or Bone-in) »
    • Facebook

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

    This is where I share my recipes, tips, and inspiration for a happy home.

    Dig in!

    More about me →

    Easy Spring Dinners

    • air fryer bbq chicken thighs on a white platter next to bowl of bbq sauce
      Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs (Boneless or Bone-in)
    • Parmesan panko cod on a white platter
      Parmesan Panko Crusted Cod
    • English pea salad on a white plate on a white countertop
      English Pea Salad
    • strawberry goat cheese salad on a white platter
      Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

    Spring Desserts

    • side view of piece of strawberry pie topped with whipped cream and a strawberry
      No Bake Strawberry Pie with Jello
    • piece of lemon poke cake on white plate with bowl of lemons and plates of cake in background
      Lemon Poke Cake
    • piece of Lemon jello pie on a white plate with a fork resting on it
      Easy Jello Pie (No Bake)
    • piece of no-bake cheesecake with cherry topping
      No-Bake Cheesecake with Cool Whip
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 MIDWESTERNHOMELIFE Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme