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Summer is here! That means grilling. I was looking for a good spice rub recipe for chicken and was unhappy with what I found. I wanted something with complex flavors that would be delicious on tacos or in salads and really stand out. So, why not make one myself?

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Since I came up with it, I can’t stop using it. The great thing about it is that your chicken doesn’t have to marinade. Rub it on liberally and grill. How’s that for a last minute, tasty dinner?

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This spice rub has a fantastic balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. The addition of cinnamon might seem a little unusual, but give it a try! It creates a unique flavor profile that really makes this chicken special. However, feel free to shake things up and omit as you see fit!

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Ingredients

For spice rub
2 heaping teaspoons ground coriander
2 heaping teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Cracked pepper (optional if you like the flavor)

1 – 1 1/2 lbs chicken

For serrano sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayo
3 tablespoons milk
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 Serrano pepper (trimmed, chopped roughly. This will make it very spicy. To reduce spiciness, remove seeds. To make it even less spicy, use half a deseeded Serrano)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 fresh lime (about 2 tablespoons of juice)
A small bunch of cilantro (use as much as you think you’d like)
Salt to taste

Serve with
Warm corn tortillas
Grilled orange bell peppers
Sliced Avocado

Directions

1. For the Serrano sauce, combine all sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until totally smooth. The flavors will mellow out a little once given some time.
2. Combine the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Rub liberally onto chicken and grill until cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes then slice.
3. Serve with grilled corn tortillas and bell peppers, fresh slices of avocado, and a hearty drizzle of the Serrano sauce on top.

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