This homemade chicken taco seasoning is made with just five ingredients, including smoky chipotle powder. This easy spice blend brings a delicious combination of smokiness, warmth and heat to chicken. Simply mix, store and use whenever taco night calls.
What makes this taco seasoning unique
The star is chipotle powder. It is not just another chili powder. It is made from ripe jalapeño peppers that have been dried and smoked.
This smoking process gives chipotle its characteristic deep, earthy, smoky flavor, along with moderate heat.
Unlike a conventional chili powder blend, chipotle adds depth to this seasoning mix without requiring a long list of ingredients.
Watch how to use this seasoning for chicken taco bowls
How these five spices work together
(You can find the exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the end of this page. Here are pictures to help you easily understand the recipe ingredients.)
- Chipotle powder: gives the seasoning its signature character
- Cayenne pepper: adds an extra spicy kick
- Paprika: balances the sharper heat and gives a bright red color
- Ground cumin: provides warm, earthy notes
- Ground coriander: adds mild citrusy sweetness
How to use it
I use this taco seasoning almost every week to make healthy chicken taco bowls and my family gobbles it up. We never get tired of it!
(For 1 pound of ground chicken, I use 1½ tablespoons of the seasoning.)
Make this a quick marinade: Add 2 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1½ tablespoons of this seasoning. Pound or thinly slice 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with it. Marinate them for at least an hour.
Cook in the oven at 230°C/446°F for 15 minutes or in the air fryer at 205°C/400°F for 12 minutes.
The cooked chicken can be used to put together recipes like chipotle chicken sandwich or healthy chicken burger bowls.
No time for that? Just serve the chicken with a simple sauce like the easy basil chimichurri or the 10-minute garlic yogurt sauce.
How to store it
Store it in a dry airtight container in the pantry. It stays fresh for about 3 to 4 months. You can also store the seasoning in the freezer for up to 6 months or even longer.
Please note that the freshness also depends on the freshness of the individual spices.
5-Ingredient Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon salt
STEP BY STEP IMAGES
Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
- Take the five spices and salt in a small bowl. Mix the seasoning with a dry spoon and store in a dry airtight container.
- Store in your pantry for use within 2 to 3 months. To store longer, freeze it. It keeps fresh in the freezer for about 6 months (provided the individual spices are fresh).
Notes
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