Chicken tenders can take more seasoning than a little salt and pepper, but I don't want to measure six different spices every time I make them. One packet of taco seasoning does most of that work at once.
Mix it into the breading before coating the chicken. Most taco seasoning blends contain some combination of paprika, chili, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, and salt, giving each piece more flavor without building a spice blend from scratch.
Mix Taco Seasoning Into the Breading
Prepare the chicken tenders as you normally would, but add taco seasoning to the dry breading mixture before coating them.
About one packet for 1 pound of chicken is a good starting point. Check the packet before adding more salt since many taco seasoning blends already contain plenty.
Coat each tender with the seasoned breading, then cook according to your preferred method. The seasoning works whether the tenders are baked, air-fried, or fried in oil.
One Packet Replaces Several Seasonings
Taco seasoning isn't limited to tacos because most of its ingredients work well with chicken on their own.
Paprika and chili bring pepper flavor and heat, cumin adds an earthy note, while garlic and onion powders fill out the seasoning. Some packets also contain oregano, red pepper, or other spices.
Using a premixed packet also gives you the same ratio each time, which takes the guesswork out of seasoning the breading.
Save Some for the Dipping Sauce
Taco seasoning can carry through to the sauce too. Set aside some seasoning before it comes into contact with raw chicken or the breading station.
Stir a small amount into sour cream, taste, and add more if needed. The cool sour cream works against the chili and spices on the chicken without requiring another list of ingredients.
For more heat, add hot sauce or red pepper to the dip. Lime juice can bring some acidity if the seasoning blend needs it.
Taco seasoning may have been made with tacos in mind, but the mix of chili, paprika, cumin, garlic, and onion fits chicken tenders just as well. One packet in the breading means fewer spice jars on the counter and more flavor in every piece.
Have you tried taco seasoning in chicken tender breading, or do you use another seasoning blend?
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