Introducing our homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning(5 minute recipe)! Season your chicken with this spicy, smoky blend, grill it, and toss it into tortillas with your favorite toppings. And enjoy effortless tacos bursting with charred and smoky flavors.
My recipes always use simple ingredients(as much as possible); this chicken taco seasoning is no exception. Check your pantry—you might already have everything you need to make it today!
Simply mix all the ingredients together(like this Cuban seasoning and the spicy turkey rub), and your perfect seasoning is ready to use. Skip store-bought seasonings and make it at home for a fraction of the cost.
Best of all, this chicken taco seasoning is super easy to make with pantry staple ingredients. It's cost-effective, packed with flavor, and can be customized to suit your preferences.
This spiced seasoning delivers savory, smoky flavors with just the right amount of spice. Its fine texture ensures even distribution for perfect seasoning every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️Quick and easy.
⭐️Smoky and savory.
⭐️Homemade and budget-friendly.
Ingredients
- Chili Powder: I used regular chili powder, but if you prefer a bolder flavor, dark chili powder is a great option.
- Ground Cumin: I always have homemade cumin powder in my pantry. Making it at home is simple—just dry roast cumin seeds and grind them into a fresh, aromatic powder in seconds. If you prefer store-bought, that works too!
- Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky flavors to the mix. Feel free to substitute it with hot varieties that suit your taste.
- Garlic Powder: A key ingredient that perfectly complements the flavor of chicken.
- Onion Powder: Adds a mild sweetness, blending beautifully with the garlic powder.
- Dried Oregano: You can substitute this with thyme if you prefer.
- Cayenne Pepper: An optional ingredient that can take the spice level from mild to hot. Adjust the amount or skip it based on your preference.
- Sugar: Another optional ingredient that balances the acidity and heat in this recipe. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
How To Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
- In a small bowl, add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, ground black pepper, and sugar. Stir thoroughly until blended.
- And mix well until all the ingredients are combined well together. And transfer to an air-tight container to use for up to a month.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This chicken taco seasoning has a gentle heat, primarily from the cayenne pepper and slightly from other spices like chili powder.
To control the spice level, you can skip or adjust the amount of cayenne pepper. Not sure how much you need? Add cayenne pepper a little at a time until it matches your preferred heat level.
For moderate heat, increase the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper.
The Leftovers
Use leftover chicken taco seasoning to season the roasted vegetables, chili, and soups, or even sprinkle it on chips for extra flavor.
Store at room temperature for up to one month. Refrigerate and use within three months. Or freeze for up to six months for more extended storage.
Always store the seasoning in an airtight container to prevent flavor loss.
When you are ready to marinate, no thawing is necessary! Simply use the seasoning directly on chicken or other ingredients.
How To Use
- Cut chicken breasts or thighs into small, bite-sized cubes.
- Sprinkle the chicken taco seasoning evenly over the chicken and toss well.
- Let the chicken marinate for about 20 minutes.
- Grill, bake or cook the chicken in a skillet until fully cooked and slightly charred on the edges.
- Add the cooked chicken to the tortillas and other toppings like chili lime mayo, veggies, or cheese.
FAQ
Chicken taco seasoning is a special blend of spices designed to create smoky, flavorful chicken filling for the tacos.
Absolutely! While this seasoning is crafted for chicken, it works beautifully with other proteins like beef, turkey, fish, shrimp(like this Cajun shrimp tacos), or pork. You can even toss it over tofu or chickpeas for incredible flavor.
Yes, you can easily modify the spice level by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper and chili powder in the recipe. Refer to the detailed section above for more tips on customizing the heat to your preference.
More Seasonings To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste for spice level
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar optional, for a slight balance
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Season chicken with this chicken taco seasoning. Then grill or cook until charred and juicy., and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings and veggies.
- Adjust cayenne for the desired spice level.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature (1 month), refrigerated (3 months), or frozen (6 months).
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