This Chicken Taco Seasoning recipe is so quick and easy to make! You can adjust the heat level to suit your family's taste preferences, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
And it isn't just for chicken! Sprinkle it over veggies or add it to your rice. I even make a delicious dip for french fries from it!
This homemade spice blend is so much better than those packets of seasoning you can buy at the grocery store, plus making it at home works out cheaper!
Ingredient Notes
These notes are here to help make this recipe a success; they cover some but not all ingredients. For a complete ingredient list, check out the recipe card below.
Smoked Paprika: I buy the sweet smoked paprika, but if you want to add heat, you can use hot smoked paprika. (although this is much harder to find)
Dried Oregano: If you can find it, Mexican oregano is perfect, but regular oregano will work just great too!
Ground Sage: This isn't traditional in taco seasoning, but it works so well with the chicken and adds an additional depth to the seasoning blend.
Red Pepper Flakes: Also known as chilli flakes, these add heat to the blend. I usually go for 1 teaspoon when I am making this for the kids, but increase or reduce the amount depending on your family's love of heat.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Taco Seasoning
- It is extremely versatile; you can use it with ground chicken/chicken mince, add it to a marinade for chicken breasts, or use it on chicken thighs to make the juiciest chicken taco filling.
- It is easy to adapt; you can reduce the salt and sugar to taste.
- It makes a fun homemade gift. Store it in little jars and make a cute label for a fun gift or hostess present.
Recipe Adaptations
These are all just suggestions and things that have worked in our test kitchen, but it is your dinner, so adapt it to suit your family. That is the beauty of cooking; we can all create our own delicious meals.
- Add extra heat: Add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to increase the heat.
- Add citrus: Add dried lemon or lime zest.
- Add extra herbs: Dried cilantro leaves are a great addition to the blend.
- Reduce the salt and sugar: Feel free to leave these out of your blend if you prefer to add them as you cook.
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How to use Taco Seasoning
- Sauce Chicken Tacos: Check out my Creamy Chicken Tacos and my Spicy Chicken Tacos. Both use this chicken taco seasoning.
- Add to ground/minced chicken for tacos: Use 2 tablespoon per pound/500g of ground/minced chicken.
- Make a marinade for chicken breasts: For 4 people, mix 2 tablespoons of chicken taco seasoning with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Dry rub for chicken thighs: Rub 1-2 teaspoons per portion into your chicken thighs before cooking.
- Make flavored butter: Add 1 teaspoon of seasoning per tablespoon of softened butter and mix well. Use this flavored butter to put on top of cooked chicken, pork, or fish. Or toss through cooked rice.
- Make a dip: Mix ¼ cup of mayo with ¼ cup sour cream and add 1 tablespoon of seasoning (taste and adjust).
- Sprinkle over vegetables: Sprinkle over your vegetables or potatoes before you roast them. Use 1 teaspoon per portion of veg.
Other seasoning blends to try:
Enjoy x
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Get the Recipe
Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1½ tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- ½-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - adjust to your taste)
Instructions
- Mix everything well and store in an airtight jar.2 tablespoon ground cumin1½ tablespoon garlic powder1½ tablespoon onion powder1 tablespoon paprika2 teaspoon salt2 teaspoon smoked paprika1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon sugar½ teaspoon ground sage½-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Shake or stir the contents of the jar each time before using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
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