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Home » Recipes » Low Carb Recipes

5-Minute Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix

Modified: Jun 27, 2025 by Kori Butler · Published: Sep 22, 2022

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Homemade chicken taco seasoning is one of those spice blends I can’t live without. It’s smoky, a little spicy, and full of bold flavor—and it’s ready in 5 minutes with pantry staples you already have. You’ll never need a store-bought packet again.

Chicken taco seasoning in a small mixing bowl with a bowl of chicken taco soup behind itPin
Jump to:
  • The backstory.
  • It's a must-make.
  • Let’s talk texture and flavor.
  • What you'll need.
  • Customize it your way.
  • Flexible dietary swaps.
  • How to make chicken taco homemade seasoning.
  • How to use it.
  • Kori's tips.
  • FAQ's
  • 📖 The recipe.
  • Keep the good eats going.
  • 💬 What readers are saying.

The backstory.

I’ve tested more taco seasonings than I can count, and let me tell you—this one has earned permanent status in my spice drawer. I wanted something with the perfect balance of chili powder, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder, but without any weird fillers or added sugar. This homemade taco seasoning is it. Bonus: it’s low carb, flexible, and works for everything from skinless chicken breast to roasted veggies and ground beef.

xoxo Kori

It's a must-make.

This chicken taco homemade seasoning recipe is a total staple for easy, flavorful weeknight meals.

  • Made with real spices you already have
  • So much better than store-bought packets
  • Naturally gluten-free, low carb, and sugar-free
  • Works with chicken, pork, beef—or veggies!

This stuff turns plain chicken into taco magic.

Let’s talk texture and flavor.

This spice blend hits all the right notes: smoky chili powder, earthy cumin, sweet paprika, and a dash of cayenne for a little heat. The onion and garlic powder add savory depth, while the oregano brightens everything up just enough. The texture is a fine, evenly mixed powder that clings beautifully to chicken or mixes seamlessly into a sauce.

What you'll need.

Ingredients needed for making chicken taco seasoning.Pin

Here’s what you’re going to need to make your own taco seasoning for chicken:

Seasonings

  • Chili powder: Adds smoky flavor and deep color
  • Ground cumin: Earthy and warm
  • Paprika: Use smoked paprika if you love a bold, smoky flavor
  • Garlic powder: A must for savory depth
  • Onion powder: Balances out the bold spices
  • Ground black pepper: Just enough bite
  • Cayenne pepper: Adjust for heat (I go with ¼ tsp for mild, ½ tsp for medium)
  • Kosher salt: Always balances the spice
  • Sugar or sugar substitute: Optional, but a touch adds balance
  • Cornstarch or xanthan gum: Optional thickener for saucy taco fillings

Herbs

  • Dried oregano: This brings in that classic Mexican-inspired flavor

If you love making your own spice blends, there’s a whole world of chicken seasoning recipes to explore! For Tex-Mex nights, try my smoky chipotle seasoning or this fajita seasoning that adds bold flavor with just the right amount of heat. Craving sizzling skillet meals? A homemade copycat Montreal chicken seasoning blend brings that zesty, savory kick perfect for chicken strips and veggies. For cozy comfort food, my white chicken chili seasoning is a must—warm, balanced, and made without any added junk. And when you're grilling or roasting, nothing beats a classic chicken dry rub for rich, crave-worthy flavor. They're all simple to make, endlessly useful, and way better than store-bought!

Customize it your way.

This chicken taco homemade seasoning recipe is easy to tweak:

Want to mix it up? Try adding:
• Red pepper flakes for extra heat
• A pinch of smoked chipotle powder for a deep smoky flavor
• A splash of lime zest to brighten it up (add just before cooking!)

Need it even bolder? Double the chili powder and cumin for a more intense seasoning blend.

Flexible dietary swaps.

Here are some healthy alternatives for this seasoning mix:

• Sugar-free – Use a granulated sugar substitute instead of regular sugar
• Gluten-free – Skip the cornstarch or use xanthan gum as a thickener
• Low sodium – Reduce or omit the kosher salt and season your dish later
• Vegan – This spice blend is already plant-based and perfect for vegan tacos

How to make chicken taco homemade seasoning.

Just a few easy steps to flavor-packed seasoning:

Mixing the chicken taco seasoning mix together in a clear glass bowl.Pin

Mix

Mix all the seasoning ingredients together in a bowl.

Mixed chicken taco seasoning in an airtight clear glass container.Pin

Use or store

Use in chickan tacos or store in an airtight container.

How to use it.

Two ways to use chicken taco seasoning, in baked chicken tacos and 7 can chicken taco soup.

This chicken seasoning for tacos is your flavor MVP:

  • Use it to season chicken breast, thighs, leftover chicken, or ground chicken
  • Make baked chicken tacos
  • Or, make this 7 can chicken taco soup
  • Sprinkle over roasted cauliflower or zucchini for a veggie taco twist
  • Add to pulled pork or ground beef for a smoky, savory punch
  • Mix with water and simmer to make a saucy taco filling
  • Toss it with shrimp or salmon for Mexican-inspired seafood tacos

Kori's tips.

  • Use the freshest dried spices for max flavor—check those expiration dates!
  • Make a double (or triple) batch and keep it in a jar with a label—you’ll use it often
  • For a dry rub, skip the thickener and apply directly to meat
  • ¼ tsp cayenne = mild, ½ tsp = medium, ¾ tsp or more = bring on the heat!

FAQ's

What is the best way to store it?

Keep it in a sealed, airtight container in a cool, dark spot. Use within 6 months.

Can I use it for more than chicken?

Yes! It works great on ground beef, pork, shrimp, and veggies—super versatile.

Is chicken taco seasoning the same as regular taco seasoning?

They’re close, but this version is a bit milder and made to complement the flavor of chicken without overpowering it.

📌 Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later!

Pinterest pin with a white bowl of chicken taco seasoning. Pin

Can I ask you a favor?

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

5-Minute Seasoning for Chicken Tacos

A delicious and healthy homemade chicken taco seasoning mix. Only 5 minutes to make! You'll never buy store-bought packets again.
Use 1 recipe per pound of chicken. 1 recipe = 1 store-bought seasoning packet.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dressing, Sauces, and Seasoning
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 12 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your liking)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or sugar substitute)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch or ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum used as a sauce thickener

Instructions
 

To make chicken taco seasoning:

  • Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Store any extra in an airtight container.

To make tacos:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon oil. Add 1 pound ground or cubed chicken breast and cook until done. Once the chicken is done cooking, drain the grease. Add seasoning mix along with ¾ cup of water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the water reduces and the mixture thickens to your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Serve in taco shells, wrapped in lettuce, or over a chaffle.

Kori's Tips

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • VARIATIONS: This recipe has a mild to medium spice level. Adjust spiciness to your taste preference.
  • TOP TIPS: Make extra and store in an air-tight container up to 6 months; Use ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for a mild seasoning mix, ½ teaspoon for medium, and approximately ¾ to 1 teaspoon for hot. Always start with less and add more to taste.
  • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Can be used in any taco recipe with beef, chicken, pork, or seafood. For tacos, use 1 recipe per 1 pound of ground beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 411mgPotassium: 63mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 478IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

Keep the good eats going.

Here are some more seasoning blends and marinade recipes I think you'll love:

  • Homemade Pot Roast Seasoning Recipe
  • Vegetable Seasoning Mix
  • Seafood Seasoning Blend
  • Marinade For Lamb
  • Chicken Thigh Marinade Recipe
  • Vegan Miso Tofu Marinade
  • Best Recipe for Taco Seasoning
  • Lamb Seasoning Rub Recipe
  • All Purpose Easy Marinade for Steak
  • Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
  • Citrus-Garlic Soy Salmon Marinade Recipe
  • Crab fried rice served in a white bowl with basil and lime wedges.
    Thai-Style Crab Fried Rice Recipe
  • Mexican fried rice in a white bowl.
    Easy Vegetarian Mexican Fried Rice
  • A white square bowl of salmon fried rice.
    30-Minute Salmon Fried Rice
  • Seafood seasoning in a clear glass jar with a salmon fillet in the background.
    Citrus and Herb Seafood Seasoning Recipe

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Image of Kori Butler Seeking Good Eats Founder

Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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