This Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning recipe is made by combining a perfect blend of pantry spices you already have on hand. Use it to make all Mexican chicken dishes, with no added preservatives or fillers. You will never buy Mexican seasoning mix from the store again!
5 STAR REVIEWS
From Ralph: "I don't normally leave replies but I wanted to let you know, this seasoning blend it outstanding. Well balanced and rich in the center. As a professional chef I loved it" ★★★★★
From Sarah Joyce: "This is our favorite taco seasoning for chicken! The kids love it and so do the adults! Thank you!" ★★★★★
Once you try this homemade chicken taco seasoning, you'll never go back to store-bought packets! It's quick to make, budget-friendly, and packed with bold flavor.
Best of all, you control the ingredients—no fillers, preservatives, or excess salt. It’s been a reader favorite for years, and for good reason!
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Reasons to love it
Why make chicken taco seasoning at home when store-bought packets are so convenient? Here’s why it’s totally worth it—and might just change the way you season tacos forever:
- Customizable: Make it just the way you like it! Adjust the salt, turn up the heat with extra cayenne, skip the cumin—it's all up to you.
- Quick and Easy: This DIY taco seasoning takes less than a minute to mix together using simple pantry spices you probably already have on hand.
- Budget-Friendly: Homemade Mexican seasoning costs far less than store-bought packets—and you get way more for your money.
- Great for Meal Prep: Whip up a big batch and store it in an airtight container. It stays fresh for months and saves time on busy weeknights.
- Perfect for one pound of chicken: This recipe is ideal for seasoning 1 pound of chicken, but it’s easy to double or triple if you're cooking for a crowd.
Ingredients you'll need to make chicken taco seasoning at home
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder gives the seasoning its signature warmth, mild heat, and reddish color, adding depth and classic Mexican flavor.
- Paprika: Paprika adds color and a touch of sweetness to balance the spices. You can use regular, sweet, or smoked paprika—smoked paprika will lend a deeper, more robust flavor, especially great if you want a slightly smoky, grilled taste without a grill.
- Cumin Powder: Cumin brings a warm, earthy aroma and a rich depth that's essential in authentic Mexican cuisine. It’s one of the defining flavors in taco seasoning.
- Coriander Powder: Though not always found in taco seasoning, coriander adds a bright, slightly citrusy note that pairs especially well with chicken. It’s a subtle but tasty addition that rounds out the spice blend and adds a layer of complexity.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder adds mild sweetness and savory depth, mimicking the flavor of cooked onions without the texture.
- Oregano: Oregano contributes a mild herbal note, but it’s entirely optional—leaving it out won’t drastically change the flavor. If you have it on hand, toss it in; if not, skip it without worry.
- Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne gives the blend a spicy kick, but it’s easy to adjust or omit based on your heat preference.
Uses for chicken taco seasoning
Once you’ve made your own Mexican chicken taco seasoning, you’ll find endless ways to use it! Here are some easy and delicious ways to use it in your kitchen.
- Tacos: Brown 1 pound of ground chicken, 1 tablespoon of oil and the spice mix. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Add ⅓ cup of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 2-3 minutes. Serve in taco shells or charred soft corn tortillas along with your favorite toppings.
- Grill or Pan Fry Chicken: Season 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs with the taco spice mix, 1 teaspoon of oil, and a splash of lemon juice. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes before grilling or cooking in a skillet for juicy, flavorful chicken.
- Burritos: Chop the cooked chicken thighs and use them to build flavorful burritos with all your favorite fillings and toppings.
- Fajitas: Marinate chicken with the seasoning for flavorful fajitas.
- Vegetables: Sprinkle on roasted vegetables like potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Quesadillas: Use seasoned chicken as a delicious filling for quesadillas or enchiladas.
- Taco Salads: Add to taco salads for a boost of Mexican flavor.
Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, use as per your taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon Mexican oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together, use right away or store in air tight jar for later use.One recipe makes about 2 tablespoons or equivalent to 1 packet. It is also the perfect amount to season one pound of meat.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Homemade vs Store-bought
Homemade taco seasoning is a healthier and more flavorful alternative to store-bought mixes. It contains no preservatives, fillers, MSG, or added sugar, and you know exactly what’s going into it. Plus, it’s fully customizable—adjust the salt, spice level, or swap ingredients based on your pantry staples or personal preferences. It’s also more budget-friendly, especially if you cook a lot of Mexican chicken dishes at home.
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Frequestly asked questions
A standard packet of taco seasoning—like McCormick or other popular brands—contains about 1 ounce, which equals approximately 3 tablespoons. If you're using homemade taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons is typically enough to replace one store-bought packet and season 1 pound of chicken. Keep in mind that packet sizes may vary slightly by brand, so always adjust to taste!
Use about 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning recipe for one pound of ground chicken. You can use more or less depending on your preference.
Both chicken taco seasoning and regular taco seasoning share many of the same ingredients and can often be used interchangeably. However, regular taco seasoning typically has more cumin and chili powder, giving it a bolder, smokier flavor. Chicken taco seasoning tends to use less cumin and often includes ground coriander, which adds a bright, slightly citrusy note that pairs especially well with poultry.
Easy Mexican Chicken Recipes
Storage
Homemade Chicken taco seasoning will last 6 months stored in a cool, dry place like your pantry. I usually make a triple batch so it’s ready to go whenever I need a little taco mix!
Tip: Use a small kitchen funnel to help you transfer the chicken taco seasoning to the jar without spilling.
Variations
- Reduce or skip salt based on your dietary needs.
- Make it mild and skip cayenne pepper powder.
- Increase the heat in homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe by adding more cayenne and red pepper flakes.
- Use smoked paprika instead.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
I love Mexican food too! And this is a great recipe to have on hand..Homemade seasoning is always more flavorful than store bought ones!
Maria Doss
Thank you Deepika:)
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
I think I have all these spices in my pantry already! I love that you can make your own taco seasoning, so it’s specific to what you like. Spicy please!!
Maria Doss
Right? And, I make mine SPICY!! Thanks Kelly:)
lyla smith
yeah this recipe is so good i love spicy stuff and so does my family. it's probably the best taco seasning i've ever had! 🙂
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! Wishing you a very happy holidays - Maria ♡
Ralph Shane
I don't normally leave replies but I wanted to let you know, this seasoning blend it outstanding. Well balanced and rich in the center. As a professional chef I loved it.
Maria Doss
Aww... that is so kind. Thank you so much, so glad that you loved it:)
Sarah Joyce
This is our favorite taco seasoning for chicken! The kids love it and so do the adults! Thank you!
Marianna Fleming
Perfect, thank you, so much better than buying the little store packets with those unwanted additives.
Tracy
These ingredients sound wonderful. Can't wait to try this recipe. How much of each ingredient do you use? Thank you!
Tracy
Sorry, when this first appeared on my screen for some reasons the measurements did not appear. I see them now so my earlier question regarding measurements can be ignored. Sorry about that.
Louise
I thought this was delicious! The only alteration I will make next time is I will cut the salt down quite a bit. I found that the salt was the first thing I tasted.
Maria Doss
Sounds good to me:)
Jenne Murphy
If I don't have mexican oregano, do I just leave it out, or try to substitute something different?
Maria Doss
Just leave it out and go ahead with the rest:)
Tony
Regular oregano works just fine
jasmin
@Jenne Murphy, it taste just as good with regular oregano!!
Peter Perry
First time I've cooked with Taco spice. Used it on a Keto Mexican chicken thigh recipe. It was truly wonderfully delicious!!!
Tony
My favorite Mexican seasoning. My wife is sensitive to the preservatives in the packets and this is the perfect alternative
Maria Doss
That sounds wonderful:)
Reena Bansal
They were great. Will make again
Elise
Had to come back to leave a review. After our grocery store stopped carrying McCormick Chicken taco seasoning I panicked as it was a staple. I looked up online how to make CHICKEN taco seasoning and came across this. It was so good and so much better than McCormick! We add 1.5-2lbs of boneless chicken thighs to the crock pot. Then we add 1/2 cup of water, a minced garlic clove, and a can of total diced tomatoes. Cook on high for 4 hours and then shred. Serve with flour tortillas, Monterey Jack cheese, white diced onion, diced tomato, shredded lettuce, and serve refried beans and Mexican style rice on the side. Don’t forget the guacamole. Best. Dinner. Ever.
Elise
And I meant to add in addition to this seasoning. And I meant Rotel Diced tomatoes, 10 oz can.
Rochelle Bjornson
Can I substitute dried cilantro leaves for the coriander?
Maria Doss
Hi Rochelle, Ground coriander is one of the main ingredient in this recipe. Dried cilantro might not work exactly the same way, however it might also not be a bad substitute, Maria
Rochelle Bjornson
Thank you. I'm going to give it a try since I have that and not the coriander
Emily Williams
I love this taco seasoning and I use it almost everytime I'm cooking chicken, it may be a taco mix but it is a wonderful all round seasoning.
Dominick
Coriander Powder. OK, I'll try it. Best Chicken Taco Seasoning I've found. Tested today w/ 1lb. chicken breast. Perfect!
Maria Doss
Glad you enjoyed it, Maria
Patricia
Since I discovered this recipe, it is the only recipe I use when I make chicken tacos. Delicious!
Maria Doss
Happy to hear, Have a fabulous week hun - Maria
arel
I tried this recipe, and it was really good, but I have questions I want to ask; how can I reach you?
Maria Doss
Glad to hear. You can write here or reach out to me at kitchenathoskins@gmail.com or Instagram - Maria