Perfect for 2 pounds of chicken breasts! This Chicken Taco Seasoning will help you make the best chicken tacos! The spice blend is smoky and flavorful, and super easy to throw together. I also included instructions for cooking chicken breasts so they always come out juicy!
Why You'll Love This Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Spice Blend Made Just for Chicken: This blend was made with chicken in mind and will season your chicken perfectly. It's a quick and easy way to add flavor to your chicken tacos.
- Cost: You likely already have the ingredients in your spice cabinet; they are just waiting to be used! There is no need to buy store bought packets of taco seasoning mix when you can make your own taco seasoning.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chili Powder: The base of the spice mixture. It will give your chicken that classic taco flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika is a super easy way to give your chicken a slightly smoky flavor. If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or sweet paprika. However, smoked paprika is the way to go! I love using it in all my Tex-Mex recipes and highly suggest buying a jar of the stuff if you don't have one.
- Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, nutty flavor to your chicken tacos. There isn't a substitute for cumin, if you don't have it, or don't like cumin, you can omit the spice or half the amount for less cumin.
- Table Salt: You can also use 1¼ teaspoons of kosher salt or one teaspoon of fine sea salt. Different types of salt have different levels of "saltiness," which is why there is some variation in the amount of salt used. If you are watching your sodium intake, try this low-sodium ground beef taco seasoning.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Both add savory umami to the seasoning, making your chicken taste amazing!
- Oregano: Add subtle herbal notes that work well with chicken. There are different variations of oregano, all of which work in this recipe. Mexican oregano is stronger, more citrusy, and anise-like; Greek oregano is more earthy, pungent, and slightly bitter; regular oregano you find in the store typically falls in between the two.
Mexican seasoning blend quantities and instructions for cooking chicken are on the recipe card below.
Tip
Ground spices lose their potency over time. They are best within the first three months of bottling but retain most of their flavor for 2-3 years.
The easiest way to tell if you need a new jar of spices is to check the expiration date and smell them. If they don't smell strong, it might be time to replace them.
How to Make Chicken Taco Seasoning
Small Batch: This recipe is perfect for two pounds of chicken. Make the recipe and use it as much as you need.
To Make a Big Batch: If Taco Tuesday is a weekly event at your house, you might want to make a larger batch of this seasoning. Make as much as you think you'll use in 3 months. The spice mix can last several months if stored in an airtight container away from heat and moisture.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts
Oven:
- Place chicken on a baking sheet. Cover with the seasoning, then drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over the chicken.
- Bake at 425F for 25-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Transfer the chicken to a large plate or cutting board. Shred with two forks.
- Keep in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Stovetop:
- Season chicken breasts with the spice blend.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
- Once the oil is hot, add chicken. Sear on each side until the chicken begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ¾ cup of broth or water to the skillet. Cover and cook on medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 165F, about 12- 15 minutes. Add an additional ¼ cup of liquid if it evaporates.
- Transfer the chicken to a large plate or cutting board. Shred with two forks.
- Keep in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Crock Pot
- Mix 1 ¼ cup of salsa and the homemade taco seasoning together in a slow cooker. Add 1 ½ pounds of chicken breast.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return it to the slow cooker.
Common Questions
This seasoning has a milder flavor and spice level than that of traditional taco seasoning. This blend also has more oregano, which pairs well with chicken.
Store your homemade seasoning in an airtight container (like a mason jar or spice jar) in a cool, dry, dark place. Properly stored, it will stay fresh for up to 6-12 months, but flavor is best within the first 6 months.
This seasoning is mild. If you want to add heat, try one of these:
Cayenne Pepper: Start with ⅛ teaspoon for mild heat or ¼ teaspoon for noticeable spice.
Chipotle Chili Powder: Add ¼ teaspoon for a gentle kick or ½ teaspoon for more heat.
Guacamole, Diced Red Onion & Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, Sour Cream, Salsa, and Cilantro
Can I Use This With Ground Chicken?
You can also use this taco mix for ground chicken tacos. Use a whole batch of seasoning for 1 pound of ground chicken. After browning the chicken in a skillet, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and ½ cup of water along with the seasoning, and let the taco meat simmer for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
Taco Sides
- Rice - Mexican Rice and Cilantro Lime Rice are always a great addition to chicken tacos.
- Dips- Everyone loves a side of queso and guacamole with their tacos.
- Drinks - And we can't forget the drinks. To make it a fun night in, pair your tacos with a Texas Margarita or a Hibiscus Margarita!
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Mix all of the spices together. One batch makes 2 tablespoons of seasoning and is good for 2 pounds of chicken. Use 1 tablespoon for each pound of chicken breast and 2 tablespoons for each pound of ground meat. See notes for how to cook chicken!
Notes
- Place the chicken breast on a baking sheet. Cover in 1 tablespoon of oil, then season the chicken.
- Bake at 425F for 25-35 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Transfer the chicken to a large plate or cutting board. Shred.
- Season chicken breasts with the spice blend.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken. Sear on each side until the chicken begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ¾ cup of broth or water to the skillet. Cover and cook on medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 165F, about 12- 15 minutes. Add an additional ¼ cup of liquid if it evaporates.
- Transfer the chicken to a large plate or cutting board. Shred with two forks.
- Keep in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
- Mix 1 ¼ cup of salsa and the homemade taco seasoning together in a slow cooker. Add 1 ½ pounds of chicken breast.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return it to the slow cooker.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Kristi Clemans says
Megan what method of cooking do you use?
Megan Torres says
I like to bake chicken in the oven. That's what I did for these photos.
NH says
Wonderful spice recipe! Made chicken using this tonight for Chicken tacos yum! Next time I'll reduce the amount of salt as a bit salty for my preference, but still really tasty! Thanks for sharing!