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Chicken taco seasoning is an easy homemade spice blend that gives chicken bold taco flavor with pantry spices you can measure in a few minutes. It is a great option when you want the flavor of a taco seasoning packet, but want to keep a jar on hand and control what goes into it.
Once it is mixed, you can use it to season diced chicken, shredded chicken, or ground chicken for meals like Mexican Shredded Chicken, Baked Chicken Tacos, Chicken Quesadillas, and Chicken Nachos. It is one of those small recipes that makes dinner feel easier later because the flavor part is already handled.
Why This Blend Works So Well for Chicken
- It gives chicken the full taco flavor it needs: Chicken has a milder flavor than beef, so the seasoning has to do more of the work. This blend gives chicken more of that familiar taco flavor.
- It is easy to mix with pantry spices: You can make it with common spices you may already have at home.
- It works in more than one kind of meal: Use it for tacos, quesadillas, nachos, bowls, wraps, and salads.
- It is easy to adjust: You can make it smokier, spicier, or milder depending on what sounds good.
Ingredients That Build the Flavor
Grab the exact amounts from the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Salt-free chili powder: This is the base of the blend. Using salt-free chili powder gives you more control over the final flavor.
- Ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano: These are what give the seasoning that classic taco flavor. The cumin adds warmth, while the smoked paprika adds a little depth.
- Fine sea salt and black pepper: Fine salt mixes more evenly into the blend, so each spoonful tastes balanced.
- Cayenne pepper: This is optional, but it is an easy way to add heat.
- Cornstarch: This helps the seasoning cling to the chicken and can help thicken the juices a little as it cooks. You can leave it out if you want to.
- Brown sugar: A small amount helps round out the spices and balance the blend.
How This Blend Works on Chicken
Chicken has a milder flavor than beef, which is what a lot of people picture when they think about taco meat. That means the seasoning needs to do a little more of the work to give the chicken that full taco flavor you expect.
This blend uses chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to give chicken a bold, balanced taco flavor. It also includes cornstarch and a little brown sugar, which help round out the blend. The cornstarch can help the seasoning cling to the chicken and lightly thicken the juices as it cooks, while the brown sugar helps balance the spices.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Homemade chicken taco seasoning is quick to mix and easy to store.
Add Everything to a Jar or Bowl
Add all of the spices, cornstarch, and brown sugar to a small jar, spice container, or bowl.
Mix Until It Looks Even
Shake the jar well or stir everything together until the color and texture look evenly mixed. You do not want pockets of salt or cayenne in one spot.
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Store It Until You’re Ready to Cook
Seal the jar tightly and keep it in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use it.
How Much to Use Per Pound of Chicken
I use 2 tablespoons per pound of chicken. That is usually enough to season the meat well without making it too salty or too heavy. If you are cooking the chicken with salsa, broth, or another sauce, you can start with half if you’d like. This way, you can add a little more after cooking if you want the final result more flavorful.
The Best Ways to Use It
This seasoning is most helpful when you use it to turn chicken into easy meals.
- For shredded chicken: Use it in Mexican Shredded Chicken for tacos, bowls, salads, or meal prep.
- For taco night: Add it to the filling for Baked Chicken Tacos.
- For quesadillas: Season the chicken for Chicken Quesadillas so the filling has plenty of flavor.
- For nachos: Use it on chicken for Chicken Nachos.
- For bowls, wraps, and salads: Use this to season chicken, then add the seasoned chicken to your base with toppings like Guacamole, Avocado Cream Sauce, Peruvian Green Sauce or Mango and Peach Salsa.
Tips That Help It Taste Its Best
- Use fresh spices if you can: Since this recipe is all about the seasoning, fresh spices make a big difference.
- Shake before using: The ingredients can settle over time.
- Keep the cornstarch if you want a saucier finish: It helps when the chicken cooks with a little liquid.
- Adjust the cayenne to taste: Leave it out for a milder version or add more for extra heat.
- Label the jar: It makes it easier to grab on busy nights when you are moving fast.
Easy Ways to Change the Blend
- For more heat: Add more cayenne.
- For a milder version: Leave the cayenne out.
- For more smoky flavor: Add a little more smoked paprika.
- For less sweetness: Reduce the brown sugar slightly.
- For other proteins: This seasoning also works well with ground turkey or shrimp.
Chicken Taco Seasoning FAQs
Most chicken taco seasoning blends include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. This version also includes cornstarch and brown sugar to help with balance and texture.
They are very similar, but chicken taco seasoning is usually balanced with chicken in mind. Since chicken has a milder flavor than beef, the seasoning needs to bring enough flavor to the meat without tasting harsh or overpowering.
Start with 2 tablespoons per pound of chicken, then adjust to taste.
Yes. Add more cayenne for extra heat, or leave it out for a milder blend.
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it keeps its best flavor for up to 6 months.
Yes. It works well for quesadillas, nachos, bowls, wraps, salads, and other easy chicken dinners.
How to Store It
Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Chicken Taco Seasoning
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Chili Powder, salt-free
- 1 tbsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano, regular or Mexican work
- 4 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- 2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper, adjust for heat, optional for spicy version
- 1 tbsp cornstarch, optional
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar, regular or a brown sugar alternative work well here
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to an airtight container
- Mix the spices until incorporated
- Store for up to 6 months
SAVE THIS RECIPE
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Recipe Notes
- Use fresh spices if you can: Since this recipe is all about the seasoning, fresh spices make a big difference.
- Shake before using: The ingredients can settle over time.
- Keep the cornstarch if you want a saucier finish: It helps when the chicken cooks with a little liquid.
- Adjust the cayenne to taste: Leave it out for a milder version or add more for extra heat.
- Label the jar: It makes it easier to grab on busy nights when you are moving fast.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
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