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Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

Kick your chicken tacos up a notch with homemade chicken taco seasoning! With a spice combination that’s easy to make – and easy to customize – you might add this blend to more than just tacos!

Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning in mason jar with 5 ml tsp inside scooping the mixture

What’s To Love About This Recipe 

  • If you love incorporating shredded chicken into your meal prep routine, you will love it even more with homemade chicken taco seasoning! This is the best chicken taco blend to spice up tender meat for tacos, bowls, nachos, and more!
  • Homemade seasonings are a great element to add to your regular menu. You can jazz up simple meats and veggies, and you can usually make the blends from what you have on hand.
  • Prefer a little more heat or a little more sweet? Homemade seasonings are so easy to customize. I like that this chicken taco seasoning incorporates brown sugar for a little extra depth and pairs well with the smokiness of ancho chili powder. 
  • Many prepackaged mixes include other additives such as gluten or MSG. With a homemade taco seasoning mix, you don’t have to worry about whether or not it will work for various dietary needs. Just check the labels for each item that you add.

What is the difference between chicken taco seasoning and other taco seasonings?

Taco seasonings are usually pretty similar, with only variations between an ingredient or two. The biggest difference between this recipe and my regular taco seasoning is that chicken taco seasoning uses less chili powder. This causes it to be slightly less earthy, and instead, the sweet and smoky elements shine through.

Ingredients Needed

  • Garlic powder – A generous portion of garlic powder provides a base for the seasoning. Chicken recipes tend to absorb the flavor of garlic well, so it doesn’t end up being too overpowering.
  • Onion powder – Add a bit of sweetness and depth to the mix with onion powder.
  • Cumin – Cumin is a must-have spice in every taco seasoning! This provides the signature earthiness that you’ll find in Mexican or Latin-inspired dishes.
  • Ancho chili powder – Ancho chili powder is simply ground, dried poblano peppers, and it adds sweet and smoky flavors. 
  • Kosher salt – Kosher salt is coarse and adds a nice amount of texture to the seasoning. It is also less salty than regular salt or sea salt.
  • Oregano – Oregano is a regular herb in classic taco seasonings. Adding a slight herbal element adds an extra layer to the mix.
  • Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds a slight caramelization effect and works well with the poultry flavor. It also provides a good balance to the smokiness of the ancho chili powder.
  • Ground pepper – Finally, add a bit more heat and peppery flavor!
3 tablespoons garlic powder, 3 tablespoons onion powder, 3 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground pepper seasonings on the counter

How To Make Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning 

  1. Mix all spices together in a bowl until combined.
3 tablespoons garlic powder, 3 tablespoons onion powder, 3 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground pepper all in glass bowl next to whisk
  1. Store in a dry, airtight container.
Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning in cup

Pro Tips

  • There is really no limit on how you use this seasoning – it’s very versatile and adds plenty of flavor to chicken, fish, or beef! I like to use it with a big batch of either shredded chicken breasts or thighs to serve in tacos, over rice bowls, and in salads.
  • This taco seasoning mix will be gluten-free as long as your spices are labeled gluten-free.
  • The beauty of a homemade mix is that you can easily adjust individual spices as needed. Feel free to reduce the salt content to your liking or dietary needs and omit brown sugar if needed or desired.
  • I also used ancho chili powder for a smokier flavor, but you can swap some or all of it for regular chili powder.

How To Use Chicken Taco Seasoning 

Add chicken taco seasoning to leftover cooked chicken or chicken breasts or thighs made with your preferred method. (Check out my instructions for Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken for ideas!). Top chicken tacos with any – or all! – of your favorites, such as shredded cheese, salas, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, fresh onions, and more.

Also, add chicken taco seasoning to the meat used for burritos, nachos, rice bowls, and salads. Slow Cooker Corn On The Cob or Mexican Street Corn Dip would be great sides for dishes with taco flavors!

You’ll definitely want to try this seasoning with chicken taco meat, but don’t stop there! Try it with fish, ground beef, or even browned ground turkey for turkey tacos.

Use 2 tablespoons of chicken taco seasoning per pound of meat.

Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning being poured on top of raw chicken breasts

Storage Instructions

Store homemade seasonings in a clean and dry, airtight jar or container. I like to use glass jars since they won’t absorb the color or smell of the spices. 

The seasoning mix will keep for several months if kept dry and cool in your pantry or spice cabinet. Be sure to use a clean measuring utensil every time to preserve freshness.

Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning in mason jar with 5 ml tsp inside scooping the mixture

Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning

Jennifer Draper
Kick your chicken tacos up a notch with homemade chicken taco seasoning! With a spice combination that’s easy to make – and easy to customize – you might add this blend to more than just tacos!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Seasoning Blend
Cuisine American, Mexican, Southwest
Servings 15 tablespoons
Calories 22 kcal

Equipment

  • measuring cups and spoons
  • storage container

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons onion powder
  • 3 tablespoons cumin
  • 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix all spices together in bowl until combined
  • Store in dry, airtight container

Notes

  • Store in a cool, dry location for several months.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat.
  • Feel free to try this chicken taco seasoning with other meats – beef, turkey, pork, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 0.5gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 952mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 338IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
Important nutritional disclaimer

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