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.
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.
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:
Mix
Mix all the seasoning ingredients together in a bowl.
Use or store
Use in chickan tacos or store in an airtight container.
How to use it.
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
Keep it in a sealed, airtight container in a cool, dark spot. Use within 6 months.
Yes! It works great on ground beef, pork, shrimp, and veggies—super versatile.
They’re close, but this version is a bit milder and made to complement the flavor of chicken without overpowering it.
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📖 The recipe.
5-Minute Seasoning for Chicken Tacos
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
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
Keep the good eats going.
Here are some more seasoning blends and marinade recipes I think you'll love:
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