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About This Recipe
If you haven’t started making your own homemade seasonings yet, this is your sign to do so! It’s seriously so easy and will take your recipes to the NEXT level!
The perfect recipe to start with? This Homemade Chicken Taco seasoning! This flavor blend of spices can be thrown together in less than 5 minutes and I promise you probably already have some (or ALL) of these ingredients in your spice cabinet! No extra grocery store trip required!
The best part about making your own spice mix? It’s gluten-free, msg free, preservative free, and can even be organic if you want to use organic spices! Even better, it’s WAY cheaper and you never have to worry about getting halfway through your recipe and realizing your forget to grab a packet at the store!
As if all of those reasons weren’t enough, another benefit of making your own taco seasoning is that you control the spice level, salt level and flavor profile? Hate cumin? Skip it! Want some added spice, throw in some extra spicy chili powder like cayenne. Making your own seasonings is especially great for those watching their salt intake or just guaranteeing that the salt used to make this blend is good quality, sea salt (and not the bleached table salt).
This seasoning really does add the best flavor to any Mexican-inspired recipe that calls for taco seasoning and will take your next taco Tuesday to the next level! And it stores great. Make a double batch or triple batch and store in a large mason jar for up to 6 months! Never go without the best homemade chicken taco seasoning again!
You can use this taco seasoning blend in my chicken tacos, sheet pan chicken fajitas, cottage cheese queso, chicken enchiladas or any recipe that calls for a packet of taco seasoning!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Taco Seasoning
- Cost effective! Way cheaper than buying individual packets of taco seasoning.
- Make a big batch of this delicious spice blend to have any time you need it!
- You know what’s in it! Doesn’t have any fillers or artificial ingredients like store-bought seasoning mixes.
- You have control of the ingredients and spice level! Want less sodium? Skip the salt!
- Last up to 6 months when stored properly.
- Chili powder: use regular chili powder.
- Paprika: regular (or sweet paprika). For a more smoky flavor, try smoked paprika.
- Cumin: I really like the savory profile the cumin gives this chicken taco seasoning. If I’m making this taco seasoning for beef tacos, I’ll typically use a little less cumin and add some brown sugar but for these chicken tacos I really like the additional cumin.
- Garlic powder
- Salt: I highly recommend using a good quality salt like Redmond’s sea salt or kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Oregano: regular oregano or mexican oregano work
- For added spice level, add 2 teaspoons of red chili flakes or use a spicier chili powder (like cayenne).
- For more smoky flavor, substitute chipotle chili powder for some or all of the chili powder or use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- If you’re watching your sodium intake, omit the salt (or half the amount of salt)! Either way works!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add all the spices to a small bowl or mason jar.
2. Whisk (or shake) together. Use immediately or store at room temperature for about 6 months.
More Ways To Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
There are so many ways to use this homemade taco seasoning!
- Use it for these recipes: high protein chicken tacos, sheet pan chicken fajitas, cottage cheese queso, chicken enchiladas, mexican elote street corn pasta salad, mexican mac and cheese, mexican cauliflower rice dip, Doritos pie casserole, 7 layer bean dip, air fryer chicken taquitos
More creative ways to use this seasoning:
- Sprinkle on top of popcorn for a slight kick!
- Use it to season black beans, pinto beans or refried beans
- Sprinkle taco seasoning of crispy, roasted things like tater tots, roasted potatoes or chickpeas
- Add to sour cream or greek yogurt for an easy dip for tacos or nachos
- A quick and easy way to add a variety of spices to soups and chilis
Can I use this taco seasoning for something other than chicken?
I especially love this spice combination on boneless skinless chicken breast (for ground beef or turkey taco meat I like a little less cumin and adding a little brown sugar for a touch of sweetness!) However this blend of spices works great as a taco seasoning for any meat and you can use it for any recipe that calls for taco seasoning– taco seasoning is taco seasoning!
How much taco seasoning is in a packet?
A typical package contains 1 ounce (or 2 tablespoons) seasoning mix. To substitute my homemade seasoning mix, just swap 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in any recipe that calls for one package of seasoning.
How much taco seasoning do I need for my recipe?
A general rule of thumb is to use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat (i.e chicken, ground beef, ground turkey or tofu). Just note that your homemade seasoning blend will have a stronger taste than store-bought packets (since it’s doesn’t have any artificial flavors, fillers or extra ingredients) so be mindful of that when adding extra!
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
Store taco seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If stored properly, this taco seasoning will last for about 6 months.
Is this taco seasoning spicy?
This taco seasoning is a very mild heat. If you prefer things spicy, add 1-2 teaspoons of a spicier chili powder like cayenne or crushed pepper flakes.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
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Instructions
- Add all the spices to a small bowl or jar. Whisk (or shake) together.
- Use immediately or store at room temperature for about 6 months.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
