Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe (So Easy!)

Who needs taco Tuesday for an excuse to make tacos? With this homemade taco seasoning mix your busy weeknights just became a little easier. Make a big batch of this amazingly flavorful chicken taco seasoning to keep on hand whenever that taco craving hits!

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Why This Chicken Taco Seasoning Is The Best!

I am sharing with you the best homemade chicken taco seasoning. I have tweaked this recipe over the years to perfect the flavor to make ground chicken tacos, grilled chicken tacos as well as other Mexican inspired dishes.

Making fresh taco seasoning tastes so much better than the store-bought packets. You have complete control over the spices and can change things according to your tastes. If you like things a little more spicy, add some extra cayenne pepper! Like it milder or are cooking for little ones, then dial back a bit on the spice.

Also there are no mystery ingredients added, like silicon dioxide which is an anticaking agent. Or if you are if you are watching your sodium intake you can completely omit the salt from the recipe.

I also like making my own chicken taco seasoning because it is actually cheaper in the long run. Most of these spices are in my pantry so it makes sense to use what I have on hand and skip a trip to the grocery store.

What Is Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a blend of different spices to add flavor when making tacos. The typical spices found in taco seasoning are paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and salt.

Taco seasoning is actually a great seasoning for more than just tacos. Use this spice mix to flavor chili, chicken fajitas and grilled chicken.

Where's The Chili Powder?

Okay, some of you may read this and say where is the chili powder? Did you forget an ingredient? The answer is no, I intentionally left that out of this mix. The reason is because chili powder is a mixture of spices. It actually contains paprika, garlic powder and salt, just to name a few. So it never made sense to me to add that if I was already using those spices. I think you will find this blend super flavorful without the chili powder.

Key Ingredients

paprika- is a spice made from dried and ground peppers. It has a mild flavor and is typically not spicy. Paprika can be made from a variety of different peppers so it can vary in flavor from brand to brand.

smoked paprika-comes from smoking the peppers over oak logs to give a smoky flavor. This flavor is great to add to food to give that smoked flavor to food without having to actually smoke or grill the food. If you do not have this you can substitute with more regular paprika.

cumin-is a very popular spice that is used in many different dishes around the world. It is a seed that is typically ground into a powder and used to flavor soup, chili, marinades and more. Ground cumin adds an earthy depth of flavor to any dish.

cayenne pepper- comes from dried and ground cayenne peppers. It has more heat and is used to make homemade hot sauce and add flavor and heat to other dishes. You can always adjust the amount of spice in this recipe to suit your taste.

red pepper flakes- are dried and crushed red peppers. They do add some heat so you can add more or less for your tastes.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Measure out the ingredients and add the spices to a clean sealable container. There really is not much to making your own homemade chicken taco seasoning. The great part of making your own is that you are in control of the level of spice. You can add more or less of any of these spices to make this recipe your own.

How To Use Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

There are a couple ways you can make chicken tacos with this seasoning mixture. If you are using ground chicken, brown the meat in a skillet over medium heat, then add 2 tablespoons of the spice mixture to the cooked meat and stir to coat. I do not add any water (the packets recommend water) because I find it too soupy. If the chicken needs a little moisture, a couple of tablespoons of salsa works great!

The second method (my favorite way to make chicken tacos) is to marinate 3 chicken breasts (or 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs) with 2 tablespoons of the chicken taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons lime juice and a tablespoon of olive oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes (a couple hours is better) then cook chicken on the grill or stove top. When the chicken is cooked through, cut it in small cubes to make tacos.

Whichever method you choose, you can then add your chicken taco meat to taco shells, flour tortillas or corn tortillas and top with your favorite toppings. You can even go low carb and make taco salads.

Storage Recommendations

Store in an airtight container (mason jars work great) in a cool place for up to 6 months.

What Is The Difference Between Chicken Taco Seasoning And Regular Taco Seasoning?

Chicken taco seasoning and regular taco seasoning are actually very similar. They contain many of the same spices and can be used interchangeably. Chicken taco seasoning is a bit milder because chicken is less flavorful than beef.

How Long Does Taco Seasoning Last?

When kept in a cool dry place (kitchen cabinet or pantry) your taco seasoning will last for up to 6 months. Keep it in an airtight container such as a mason jar, for best results.

Is Chicken Taco Seasoning The Same As Fajita Seasoning?

Taco seasoning and fajita seasoning are very similar. Fajita seasoning usually is less spicy and has more cumin added to the seasoning blend. This homemade recipe works perfectly for fajitas too!

How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning Equals One Packet?

A store-bought packet of taco seasoning has about 2 tablespoons of spices. If you are using homemade chicken taco seasoning use 2 tablespoons per pound of meat.

This recipe makes a little over 6 tablespoons so you can use it for a few taco recipes.

Can I Use Chicken Taco Seasoning For More Than Chicken Tacos?

Yes! You can use this seasoning for ground beef tacos, steak tacos, ground turkey tacos, grilled chicken tacos, shrimp tacos, quesadillas and even as a substitute for chili powder in chili!

Add a teaspoon or two to rice or black beans for an extra flavor boost.

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!