Why buy a generic seasoning full of fillers and mystery ingredients when you can make this delicious homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe with ingredients you already have? For a meat-free alternative, you can use it to make these chicken of the woods tacos!
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Taco night just got a whole lot tastier! This homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe is smokey, spicy, citrusy, and really encapsulates all those delicious South American flavors you'd expect at any good Mexican restaurant.
This spice mix is great on ground chicken, ground turkey, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and more! You can also use it to make pollo asada, green chicken enchiladas, soups, salsas, etc.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Smoked paprika: I wouldn't recommend substituting with hot paprika, as you'll lose that bold smokiness.
- Onion: Granulated onion flakes work too!
- Cumin: I use ground cumin, but you could use whole cumin seeds if you prefer.
- Cinnamon: This adds a slight warmth and balances the smokiness.
- Oregano: Mexican oregano is ideal, but you can use regular oregano as well.
- Cayenne (optional): Adds a bit of heat. Feel free to increase the quantity if you want it hotter, or omit it if you want less heat.
- Citric acid (optional): Alternatively, you can squeeze some fresh lime juice over your tacos just before eating.
- MSG (optional): No need to fear this savory secret ingredient! Check out this article by UW Medicine about the "MSG scare" and why it's totally safe to eat (and will instantly make any savory food taste even better!)
*See recipe card for full list of ingredients.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Step 1: Combine smoked paprika, oregano, sea salt, chipotle powder, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, MSG, cayenne, and citric acid. Mix until consistent.
Pro Tip: When possible, use fresh, quality spices for optimal flavor.
How to Use Chicken Taco Seasoning
This versatile seasoning blend can be used in a multitude of ways! Use it to season a walking taco casserole, nachos, taco salads, Mexican rice bowls, etc.
Use it as a dry rub or mix with oil and lime juice for a delicious marinade for Mexican chicken fajitas. You can also stir some into soups and stews like this Mexican bean soup, or use it as a substitute for the taco seasoning in this Mexican refried bean dip.
Chicken tacos are great in these sourdough discard tortillas and pair beautifully with this green tomato salsa, Mexican pickled carrots, Mexican Spanish rice, elote in a cup, or this Mexican black beans recipe.
FAQs
Beef taco seasoning tends to be bolder and more robust, while chicken taco spices are usually lighter and more balanced. Taco seasoning for chicken also tends to incorporate more citrusy and sweet flavors, whereas taco seasoning for beef usually requires heavier use of chili powder, cumin, cayenne, etc.
Yes, you can absolutely make this seasoning in bulk! That's one of the many reasons why making your own taco seasoning is always better than buying it at the store.
Simply omit the salt and MSG. When cooking the chicken, you can add salt with more precision and control, if you wish.
Pro Tips
- Store leftover seasoning in a mason jar or an airtight container in the pantry for up to a year.
- You can season and freeze raw chicken in meal-sized portions so it's ready to go when you need a last-minute dinner.
- Mix seasoning with 4 tablespoon olive oil and the juice of one lime to create a quick, flavorful marinade.
- You can grind the spices with a mortar and pestle, a coffee grinder, or a small food processor if you want your seasoning to have a finer grain.
More Seasoning Recipes
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Recipe
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Ingredients
Method
- Combine smoked paprika, oregano, sea salt, chipotle powder, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, MSG, cayenne, and citric acid. Mix until consistent.
Nutrition
Notes
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- When possible, use fresh, quality spices for optimal flavor.
- Store leftover chicken taco seasoning in a mason jar or an airtight container in the pantry for up to a year.
- You can season and freeze raw chicken in meal-sized portions so it's ready to go when you need a last-minute dinner.
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- Mix seasoning with 4 tablespoon olive oil and the juice of one lime to create a quick, flavorful marinade.
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- You can grind the spices with a mortar and pestle, a coffee grinder, or a small food processor if you want your seasoning to have a finer grain.
Hilda Sterner says
We hope you enjoy this recipe!
Terry Smith says
I tried your home made taco seasoning, it was great. After that, I read the label on my store bought taco seasoning and it had bioengineered ingredients in it and other stuff that I could not pronounce, so I threw it away. Thanks for the recipe. I now have a glass jar of it to use whenever. Terry
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Terry! So glad you liked it. Really appreciate the review!
Nena Sterner says
We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!