Basic spice rub

A flavorful rub can elevate humble chicken breasts and thighs to restaurant-quality status. Equal parts of chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and sugar form the backbone of this blend that gets punched up further with onion and garlic powders, dried oregano, and salt. The versatility of this rub makes it a great seasoning for lean ground meat for tacos, delicious dusted on top of roasted broccoli or cauliflower, and it adds a flavorful pop to steamed or mashed sweet potatoes. Swap the oregano for dried thyme, sage, tarragon, or marjoram to tweak the flavor.