Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

Chicken taco seasoning is a quick way to add flavour to your favourite dishes. There is no need for store-bought packets when you can make your own with maximum flavour and freshness! Whether it’s taco night or you’re looking for a way to enhance a soup, salad, casserole, or sauce, this seasoning blend is the answer!

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Better than Storebought – Skip the McCormick and El Paso seasoning packets at the grocery store. Save a few dollars while also skipping extra additives and preservatives when you make your own taco seasoning from scratch for the best tacos.
Easy to Make – use what you already have stocked in your kitchen to make a whole new seasoning in less than 5 minutes. It really is that simple to make homemade taco seasoning!
Customizable – want less sodium? Want a spicier seasoning mix? Don’t want to include onion powder? Swap, omit, or multiply the ingredients in order to make your perfect spice blend.
Versatile – chicken taco seasoning is for more than just chicken tacos! I’ll share some delicious ways to use your homemade seasoning blend.

What is Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a spice blend used to flavour everything from tacos to casseroles. There are many variations but most taco seasoning recipes include chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika and salt. Jalapeño pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes and even cocoa powder are other common ingredients.

Regular taco seasoning is most often used to season beef but can be used to season a variety of foods.

a bowl of chicken taco seasoning ingredients.

Can You Use Taco Seasoning on Chicken?

Absolutely! Taco seasoning is a super versatile spice mix (blend) that can be used on chicken, beef, pork, and all kinds of other meats.

How to Use Chicken Taco Seasoning

Shredded chicken or shredded chicken tacos
Boneless chicken thighs or boneless chicken breasts
Grilled veggies
Ground chicken/ground beef/ground turkey
Sauces and dips
Tacos/burritos/quesadillas/nachos/taco salads
Seasoning rub

What’s Needed to Make This Recipe (Kitchen Tools and Equipment)

Small Mixing Bowl – use this to mix everything together before transferring it to a jar.
Empty Spice Jar/ airtight jar/mason jar – to contain the seasoning.

individual seasoning jars for taco seasoning.

Ingredients and Ingredient Notes

Chili Powder – this imparts a warm, earthy flavour. It’s essential to any taco seasoning recipe.
Ground Cumin – for a savoury, pungent flavour. It also has subtle citrus notes.
Ground Coriander – this has a light, refreshing tart taste.
Smoked Paprika – use this for a smoky flavour.
Garlic Powder – this adds a familiar deep, savoury taste. Use about 1 teaspoon, same for the remainder of the ingredients.
Onion Powder – for an oniony flavour.
Oregano – this has a strong aromatic quality and slightly bitter taste with minty notes.
Cayenne Pepper – this adds a spicy quality. Adjust as desired.
Salt – you can leave this out if you’d like to add salt separately.
Black Pepper – this has a pungent, piney taste with woody undertones.

Check the recipe card for exact measurements.

How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning

Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix until evenly combined. Transfer to an empty spice jar or airtight container and store in your spice cabinet or a dark cool place.

How to Season Chicken for Tacos

Apply the chicken taco seasoning directly to the raw chicken before baking or grilling it. Nestle the cooked chicken between toasted tortillas (flour or corn) and add a spritz of lime juice. Enjoy a homemade taco!

Recipe Substitutions and Tips

Low Sodium Taco Seasoning – use less salt or omit it entirely. You still get plenty of flavour.
Spicy Taco Seasoning – use more or less chili powder and cayenne pepper, depending on how hot you like your mix.

Recipe Notes and Tips for Success

Ensure your ingredients are fresh. Most spices last at least 6 months but if you are using old or expired spices, your mix won’t last as long or taste as good.
Mix well before using.
Double or triple the ingredients to make a bigger batch.

Storage Instructions

Store the jar in a cool dark place like a cupboard or the pantry. If it is particularly hot or humid where you live, store it in the fridge. When properly stored, chicken taco seasoning lasts up to 6 months.

When Should You Throw Away Spices?

Ground Spices – have the shortest shelf life, and don’t usually remain as fresh past the 6 month mark. It’s best to give your spices a whiff and if the smell is muted or not a pungent it’s time to toss it.

Whole Spices – are typically good anywhere from 3 to 5 years. Once ready to use, toast, grind, grate etc. them to bring the flavour and aroma to life.

As a general rule of thumb, spices should always have a strong smell, taste potent, and be rich colour and vibrancy.

Where to Put Your Kitchen Spice Rack

As mentioned above, the best place to store your spices are in a cool dark space. Most commonly, in a kitchen cabinet or cupboard, a pantry if you have one available, in a drawer, on the counter, hanging behind a door or on the wall.

seasonings for chicken tacos in a wooden bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is chicken and beef taco seasoning the same?

Chicken tacos tend to have a more mild spice level than most beef taco seasonings. Although the Mexican spice blends are not exactly the same, they are often used interchangeably.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! This blend lasts up to 6 months when properly stored. So make a big batch and store for future use!

What can I use instead of taco seasoning?

If you have chili powder and cumin, you can use those spices as a taco seasoning replacement.

Where to Put Your Kitchen Spice Rack

The best place to store your spices are in a cool dark space. Most commonly, in a kitchen cabinet or cupboard, a pantry if you have one available, in a drawer, on the counter, hanging behind a door or on the wall.

What does Old El Paso taco seasoning have in it?

It’s a spice blend of cornstarch, maltodextrin, sugar, chili pepper, salt onion powder, and other ingredients.

Interested in more Flavourful Recipes? Check These Out!

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Chicken Taco Seasoning

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