Easy Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

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a mason jar labeled taco seasoning on a blue and white plate

I’ve been creating so many spice blends lately and I just couldn’t leave out my absolute favorite blend of them all: Taco seasoning! If you’ve ever looked at the back of a seasoning packet, you know they are filled with strange ingredients that aren’t spices. Or they’re way too salty! My chicken taco seasoning is made with easy spices, and spices alone! You are going to love it.

a spoon holding a scoop of seasonings

What Makes This Recipe Great

This easy, homemade chicken taco seasoning uses simple spices to create an amazing, flavorful spice blend! Even better, there are no added junk or weird preservatives that come in taco seasoning packets. Just real spices that turn bland chicken into flavor-packed in no time!

Use this seasoning for more than just tacos. Make Mexican-inspired dishes like chicken fajitas, enchiladas, taco salads, and more! 

If you love homemade seasonings, try my amazing ranch seasoning

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients labeled and in nesting bowls

This spice blend is a combination of the following spices you probably already have in your kitchen! 

  • Chili Powder
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Ground Black Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Oregano
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

Recipe Step by Step

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a wide-mouth mason jar. Shake to combine. Store in the pantry for the lifespan of the spices. About 7-8 months. 
  2. Use 2 1/2-3 tablespoons per pound depending on how much spice and flavor you like. I always add 3 or a little more with 1/3 cup broth or 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce per 1 lb. of meat. 
layers of spices in a mason jar

Mac’s Pro Tips

  • Make a Big Batch: If you want to make a lot so you always have some on hand, see the instructions in the recipe card to make a big batch!
  • Make a Small Batch: If you have just one 1 taco seasoning packet worth, make the small batch in the recipe card below. 
  • Spice Level: You can customize the spice level based on your preferences. Omit the red pepper flakes for a milder spice level. If very sensitive to spice, cut the chili powder in half. If you want to add extra spice, add a little cayenne pepper!
  • Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Make the big batch so you always have some on hand when you need it. It stores well in an airtight container or mason jar in your spice cabinet. 
  • Give as a Gift: I love giving homemade spice blends as gifts. Get mini mason jars, fill them with chicken taco seasoning, and tie them with a bow for a cute and easy gift. 

Serving Tips

Ways To Use This Spice Blend

  • 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of the big batch replace 1 store-bought taco packet.
  • The small batch recipe replaces 1 store-bought taco packet.
  • Use to season any chicken, turkey, or even beef!
  • Make chicken tacos, enchiladas, chicken nachos, chicken fajitas, and more. 

Easy Chicken Tacos

To make easy chicken tacos follow these steps!

  1. Cut 1lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into cubes. 
  2. Place your cubed chicken in a zip-top bag with olive oil, lime juice, and 2.5 tablespoons of seasoning. Shake to coat.
  3. Over medium heat, saute your seasoned chicken in olive oil.
  4. Once cooked, remove from heat and add to warmed corn tortillas
  5. Top with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, cilantro, tomato, lettuce, and more!

Easy Beef Tacos

You can even use this seasoning for beef tacos! Here are the steps. 

  1. Saute 1lb of ground beef over medium heat.
  2. Once cooked, drain the fat and return to low heat. 
  3. Sprinkle in 1 packet (2.5 tablespoons) of taco seasoning with 1/3 cup of water or broth.
  4. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes adding more water if needed. 
  5. Remove from heat and serve over your favorite tortillas with toppings! 
a spoon holding a scoop of chicken taco seasoning over a white and blue plate

Storage Tips

  • If you make the big batch, store your leftover seasoning in a mason jar with the lid tightly closed in a cool, dark, dry place like your spice cabinet. Use it when you need taco seasoning! 

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between regular taco seasoning mix and chicken taco seasoning? 

The main difference is the spice level. Typically, chicken tacos are more of a mild spice level. But they can be used interchangeably! Use this seasoning for ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or even shredded chicken! 

Can I use this taco seasoning for beef?

Yes! It’s super easy to use with any meat! You could even saute veggies with this seasoning to give them a fun kick. Check out my simple beef taco recipe in the tips above. 

Easy Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

By: Ashley McCrary
An easy homemade chicken taco seasoning that takes easy kitchen staples and turns them into a delicious spice blend! 
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients  

BIG BATCH (Makes about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 3 1/2 Tablespoon cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 Tablespoon finely ground pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • OPTIONAL 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes for spice

Small Batch (Enough for 2-2 1/2 lbs ground turkey/beef) 

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoons oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoons pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes OPTIONAL

Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a wide-mouth mason jar. Shake to combine. Store in the pantry for the lifespan of the spices. About 7-8 months. 
  • Use 2 1/2-3 tablespoons per pound depending on how much spice and flavor you like. I always add 3 or a little more with 1/4 cup broth or 1 8 oz can of tomato sauce per 1 lb. of meat. 

Video

Notes

Mac’s Pro Tips

  • Make a Big Batch: If you want to make a lot so you always have some on hand, see the instructions in the recipe card to make a big batch!
  • Make a Small Batch: If you have just one 1 taco seasoning packet worth, make the small batch in the recipe card above. 
  • Spice Level: You can customize the spice level based on your preferences. Omit the red pepper flakes for a milder spice level. If very sensitive to spice, cut the chili powder in half. If you want to add extra spice, add a little cayenne pepper!
  • Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Make the big batch so you always have some on hand when you need it. It stores well in an airtight container or mason jar in your spice cabinet. 
  • Give as a Gift: I love giving homemade spice blends as gifts. Get mini mason jars, fill them with chicken taco seasoning, and tie them with a bow for a cute and easy gift. 

Serving Tips: Ways To Use This Spice Blend

  • 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of the big batch will replace 1 store-bought taco packet.
  • The small batch recipe replaces 1 store-bought taco packet.
  • Use to season any chicken, turkey, or even beef!
  • Make chicken tacos, enchiladas, chicken nachos, chicken fajitas, and more. 

Easy Chicken Tacos: To make easy chicken tacos follow these steps!

  1. Cut 1lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into cubes. 
  2. Place your cubed chicken in a zip-top bag with olive oil, lime juice, and 2.5 tablespoons of seasoning. Shake to coat.
  3. Over medium heat, sauté your seasoned chicken in olive oil.
  4. Once cooked, remove from heat and add to warmed corn tortillas
  5. Top with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheese, cilantro, tomato, lettuce, and more!

Easy Beef Tacos: You can even use this seasoning for beef tacos! Here are the steps. 

  1. Saute 1lb of ground beef over medium heat.
  2. Once cooked, drain the fat and return to low heat. 
  3. Sprinkle in 1 packet (2.5 tablespoons) of taco seasoning with 1/3 cup of water or broth.
  4. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes adding more water if needed. 
  5. Remove from heat and serve over your favorite tortillas with toppings! 

Storage Tips

  • If you make the big batch, store your leftover seasoning in a mason jar with the lid tightly closed in a cool, dark, dry place like your spice cabinet. Use it when you need taco seasoning!

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @healthylittlepeach or tag #healthylittlepeach!

About Me

Mother, wife, cookbook author, recipe creator an open book

Welcome to Healthy Little Peach. I’m Mac, the lady behind the recipes. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle that consists of a mix of healthy whole foods, and full-fat comfort meals. Life is too short not to enjoy good food while maintaining a healthy body and mind. Here you will find gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto, and even full-fat comfort recipes. Let’s have fun in the kitchen together!

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