This homemade chicken taco seasoning is so easy and delicious – it will quickly become your favorite Mexican spice blend!
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Rather than worrying about running to the store to buy a premade packet of taco seasoning, make your own! It’s better (like way better), cheaper, and so easy. Just measure a few spices into a jar, and in only a couple of minutes you’ll have the best taco seasoning.
Taco Seasoning Ingredients
This recipe includes:
- Chili Powder
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Coriander
- Smoked Paprika
- Fine Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
Some other common ingredients that would also taste wonderful in this recipe are garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano).
Traditionally, garlic powder and onion powder are reserved for fajita seasoning. That’s because you normally cook taco meat with both garlic and onions.
You can also add a bit of cornstarch, potato starch, or arrowroot powder as a thickening agent if you’d like your sauce to thicken.
How to Cook with Chicken Taco Seasoning
This recipe is the correct amount for 1 lb of meat. If you’re not grilling the meat, combine it with ½ cup of tomato sauce for the most authentic flavor.
Most store bought taco seasoning packets contain tomato powder to imitate the tomato sauce used in Mexican restaurants, so it’s an important addition if you want to get the flavor right.
Alternatively, you could use Ro-Tel, or even tomato soup if you’re in a pinch, in place of the tomato sauce.
Try pairing your tacos with a drizzle of my super popular Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce! You’ll love the combination.
Can I Use this Seasoning on Beef?
Definitely! This seasoning blend tastes amazing on ground beef, beef, chicken, or even ground turkey.
I prefer it on chicken, and it’s how I usually use it. My favorite way to use it is on cubed chicken. Cutting the chicken into small cubes gives you so much surface area to cover with seasoning, and it makes the final result so flavor!
Be sure to check out my popular Ground Turkey Taco Meat Recipe if you’re looking for more ways to cook delicious taco meat.
Crock Pot and Instant Pot Tacos
This recipe tastes incredible with shredded chicken. I typically make shredded chicken by cooking chicken breasts on High Pressure in the Instant Pot for 10 – 15 minutes (depending on the size of the chicken breast), and then letting it naturally release for 10 minutes.
Next, I check the temperature to make sure it’s reached an internal temperature of at least 165 F before popping it into the bowl of my stand mixer and using the paddle attachment to make the easiest shredded chicken ever.
If you want to make shredded chicken in the crock pot, I’d recommend also adding in a bit of chicken broth and either a block of cream cheese or a packet of ranch dressing. Either way you’ll end up with such flavorful and incredible tacos for dinner.
Substitute for Cumin
If you don’t have any cumin on hand, I’d recommend replacing it with half the amount of additional ground coriander.
Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
I love making my own seasoning because it allows me to control things like this. Since this is a homemade seasoning blend, all you have to do to make a low sodium taco seasoning blend is either omit or lessen the salt to your desired amount!
Gluten Free Taco Seasoning
This recipe doesn’t contain any gluten or fillers, so as long as you use gluten free spices, it will be naturally gluten free.
Chicken Taco Seasoning
This homemade chicken taco seasoning is so easy and delicious - it will quickly become your favorite Mexican spice blend!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- ½ Tablespoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small container, mix all ingredients together.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one year.
Notes
American chili powder is very different from the type of chili powder you’d find in Europe. The US variety is a mixture of spices that only contains a small amount of dried ground chilis. European chili powder is just dried ground chilis. If you were to make this with the European variety of chili powder, it would be way too spicy.
The salt in this recipe is really up to your taste preference. I normally include quite a bit more, but it’s best to start with ¼ teaspoon and season it to your liking.
This recipe is only for the spice blend, but for a traditional flavor, combine it with ½ cup tomato sauce to cook the chicken. I’d also recommend a squeeze of fresh lime juice on the tacos just before serving.
This is the correct amount of seasoning for 1 lb of meat.
This recipe makes a small batch (which is perfect if you don’t want to store a big jar of a spice blend). If you want to make more to have extra on hand, this recipe multiplies beautifully.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
one batchAmount Per Serving: Calories: 40Total Fat: 1.8gSaturated Fat: 0.3gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 754.5mgCarbohydrates: 5.7gNet Carbohydrates: 2.5gFiber: 3.2gSugar: 0.6gProtein: 1.7g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
If you try this recipe, please let me know what you thought in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
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Skip the store and make the best chicken taco seasoning you’ve ever had at home! You’ll love making this DIY spice mix and will be amazed at how quickly it becomes your new favorite Mexican spice blend.
9 thoughts on “Chicken Taco Seasoning – BEST Easy Spice Blend”
This is by far THE BEST chicken taco seasoning I have ever tasted. Added the 1/2 cup of tomato sauce you suggested and it was even better. Thank you!
Hi Nicole, So happy to hear you liked the taco spice blend so much! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback. -Alexa
Making chicken tacos tomorrow and will be using this recipe. Never thought about using tomato sauce. Excited to try this!
I make multiple batches and keep in a mason jar in my cupboard at all times. I sprinkle on chicken breasts along with a bit of chicken broth and cook in the slow cooker then use the cooked, shredded chicken in tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas. My family LOVES it!! As do I
Our house could not function without your Creamy Green Sauce! and so many others.
Having a taco party and asking how to make your taco seasoning “less spicy” for a friend.? Appreciate your advice!!
Hi John, I’m so happy to hear that you love the creamy green sauce so much! To make this taco seasoning less spicy, I’d omit the crushed red pepper flakes. You could also lower the chili powder to 2 teaspoons if it’s still too spicy. Hope that helps! -Alexa
Used this tonight. Used some leftover rotisserie chicken; boiled some water, turned off and added the chicken and sprinkled with the seasoning. Simmered. Made some nachos with cheese, topped with the chicken, cheese, shredded lettuce jalapeños and sour cream. It was delicious!
And black beans!
I love this recipe. I add all the extras you suggest too, the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, tomato sauce, chicken broth, cream cheese, and ranch packet all in the Instapot. I also shred my chicken with my Kitchenaid. I’ll never make chicken tacos any other way!! The leftovers definitely get eaten up too!!