Linking verbs are the verbs which give the information about the subject by connecting the word with the subject. It simply links the subject with the sentence and it doesn't display any kind of action.
Hence, in the given phrase, linking verb is tastes.
Here the linking verb 'tastes' gives information about the subject 'chili' that it is hot and spicy.
Lysander stop loving Hermia and begin loving Helena because, the magical flower juice was accidentally put in his eyes, making him fall in love with the first person he saw.