This easy Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe is made with a perfect blend of pantry spices you likely already have on hand. Perfect for all your Mexican chicken dishes—whether it's ground chicken, breasts, or thighs, it adds bold, delicious flavor.
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 blend, you won’t want to go back to store-bought packets! It’s quick, budget-friendly, and bursting with bold flavor.
The best part? You’re in control—no fillers, preservatives, or extra salt. Just simple pantry spices that come together in minutes to create something seriously delicious.
This taco seasoning recipe has been a reader favorite for years, and it’s our go-to for everything from taco night to seasoning grilled chicken. It makes some of the best chicken tacos you'll have!
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♡ What you’ll love about this recipe:
✔ 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
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.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Just mix all the spices in a small bowl — that’s it! You can easily double or triple the recipe to make a big batch. Store it in an airtight container or mason jar, and you’ll always have flavorful Mexican chicken taco seasoning recipe ready to go. It is versatile for so many easy meals!
Chicken Tacos - Brown 1 pound of ground chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the taco seasoning and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Stir in ⅓ cup water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 2–3 minutes. Serve in taco shells or soft corn tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Chicken Fajitas - Marinate sliced chicken with the seasoning blend for bold, flavorful fajitas. Cook in a hot skillet with peppers and onions.
Grilled or Pan-Fried Chicken - Season 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs with the taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon of oil, and a splash of lemon juice. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then grill or pan-fry for juicy, flavorful results.
Chicken Quesadillas - Use your seasoned chicken as a delicious filling for quesadillas — add cheese and grill until golden and melty.
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Variations & Substitutions
Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste or use what you have on hand. Here are some easy swaps and flavor upgrades:
Smoky Twist: Add a little extra cumin, or even try a touch of smoked paprika for an added layer of flavor.
Use Fresh Ingredients: For a richer, more vibrant flavor, replace dry spices with fresh alternatives. Try sautéing minced garlic instead of using garlic powder, or chopped onion in place of onion powder.
Adjust to Taste: Don't be afraid to tweak the measurements! Want more heat? Increase the cayenne. Prefer it mild? Leave it out entirely.
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.
Frequently 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.
Taco seasoning is incredibly versatile and can be used far beyond just tacos. Try stirring it into cooked rice or quinoa for a flavorful side dish or burrito bowl base. It also adds a delicious kick to scrambled eggs or omelets, and makes roasted vegetables or potatoes. Use it as a dry rub or mix it with olive oil and lime juice to marinate chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef before grilling or baking. Sprinkle it into quesadillas, burritos, or enchilada fillings for an easy flavor boost, or stir it into soups and chili to give them a Southwestern twist. You can also mix it with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or mayo to make a quick creamy dip or salad dressing. For snacks, try tossing it with popcorn and melted butter, or adding it to a homemade snack mix. It even works well in meatballs or meatloaf for a fun twist, and can turn basic mac and cheese into a Tex-Mex inspired when stirred in with a handful of black beans or salsa. The possibilities are endless!
Easy Mexican Chicken Recipes
- Chicken burrito bowl is vibrant and packed with flavor! Customizable to your taste, it features juicy Mexican-spiced chicken, homemade cilantro lime rice, and all your favorite burrito bowl toppings.
- Instant pot Mexican chicken and rice is a quick, easy, and cheesy one-pot meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- This air fryer chicken tacos is made with deliciously seasoned Mexican chicken, pico de gallo and avocado.
- Chicken rice bowl is packed with seasoned ground Mexican chicken, cilantro lime rice, black beans along with your favorite burrito toppings.
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.
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