Chicken Taco Seasoning
This easy Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe is one of my favorite ways to add flavor fast. Pantry staples are all that you need to create this flavorful mixture. You can make this for ground chicken or easily add it to your favorite cut of chicken.
The great part about making taco seasoning at home is that you are cutting down on the artificial additives and ingredients added to the packed mixtures at the grocery store. Plus, it’s easy to make your own seasoning and really does add a ton of flavor.
We have tacos at our house all the time aka Taco Tuesday (or Wednesday or Thursday), and this homemade chicken taco seasoning blend is our go-to recipe. It makes the best chicken tacos we’ve tried. All the seasonings and herbs that are a part of the recipe are ones that I keep in my spice cabinet at all times.
Speaking of delicious tacos, be sure to check out my Keto Chicken Tacos for a fun low carb and keto-friendly spin on taco night. (And yes, even the kids will love these!)
Ingredients
Onion powder – Onion powder adds an onion flavor to dry seasonings.
Garlic powder – For this recipe, garlic powder works better than fresh garlic.
Smoked paprika – The smoky flavor is delicious. This is one of my favorite spices and I use it frequently. If you don’t have smoked paprika you can sub in regular paprika.
Cumin – I love how cumin helps to mesh all the flavors together perfectly.
Chili powder – Chili powder is not spicy and adds a lot of flavor.
Oregano – Fresh oregano or dried is fine.
Salt – You can easily change the amount of salt to your preference. The amount I list is a guideline.
Black pepper – Pepper balances the other flavors without adding much heat.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Step One: Mix together all the seasonings in a small bowl. Add more to taste if you want to change up the flavor. You can double or triple the recipe and make a big batch. Just store it in an airtight container or mason jar.
You can use this for grilled chicken breasts, ground chicken tacos, and more.
Cook up some chicken, add this spice mix, and your next taco night will be amazing. Serve in corn tortillas, flour tortillas, try my Cheese Tortilla Recipe, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Variations
Spices – You can alter this seasoning mix easily. Some options are red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili pepper flakes, or anything else that you want. You can also increase the addition of ground cumin and other ingredients, too.
Fresh ingredients – Since this seasoning is for tacos, have fun with it. Cook fresh garlic with your chicken. Or once you add the seasoning to the ground chicken, add some lime juice and fresh cilantro.
Make dip – You can also use this to make a Mexican dip. Simply mix equal parts mayo and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and season to taste.
Common Questions
Here’s the deal. Taco seasoning isn’t just for tacos or your taco chicken recipe. Sure, it’s great with meat and taco shells, but it’s also perfect to use with your other favorite recipes for quesadillas, burritos, nachos, dips, in a taco bowl, in taco salads, or anything else that you want to add Mexican flavor and taste, too.
Remember that seasoning recipes like this can also be used with ground beef, ground turkey, boneless skinless chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled vegetables, mixed into black beans, and more. Just pair it with your favorite protein or vegetarian main.
I can say for certain that this gluten-free chicken taco seasoning mix is just bursting with Mexican style flavors. Sometimes, I feel that the premade ones at the store are high in sodium, and low in flavor.
I love that I can use simple spices and herbs and make a seasoning that is simple and flavorful. There are no preservatives, no additives, just natural flavor from the pantry.
Once the taco seasoning is made, it’s best to store it in a mason jar or airtight container in a cool dark place. This ensures that it will stay fresh and not have the flavor altered, either.
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Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
Spice Mix
- Mix together all the seasonings. Store in an airtight jar or container.
How to Use
- Use 2 tablespoons for every pound of chicken. Add more to taste. If you like your tacos spicy add more crushed red pepper.
Nutrition
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Originally Published February 2, 2023. Revised and Republished July 26, 2025.
This is such a quick and easy seasoning recipe without all the yucky fillers from store bought jars. I love being able adjusted to my family’s needs.(less heat for the littles)
Great base recipe that can be adjusted for reach dish you cook.
This was perfect and I had all the spices on hand. Thanks for sharing!
Works great every time. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Simple to make, had all the seasonings to make delicious 😋 chicken tacos, definitely saving this recipe!
Love this, perfect and easy