Introduction
Get ready to experience the rich, complex flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine with this incredible Mexican Mole Chicken recipe. This dish combines tender chicken with a deep, luxurious sauce that’s packed with chocolate, chilies, and aromatic spices. While traditional mole can take days to prepare, I’ve developed this simplified version that delivers all the authentic flavors in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re new to Mexican cooking or a seasoned chef, this recipe will help you create a restaurant-quality dish that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (or 6-8 chicken thighs)
- 3 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 2 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
- 1 onion, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Toast the dried chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 30 minutes.
- While the chilies soak, toast sesame seeds and almonds in the same skillet until golden. Set aside.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the chicken on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Blend the drained chilies, toasted nuts, tortillas, raisins, sautéed vegetables, spices, and 1 cup of chicken broth until smooth.
- Return the sauce to the pan and add remaining broth. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add chocolate and stir until melted.
- Add chicken back to the pan, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6 people
Recipe Notes
– The mole sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
– For a spicier version, add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the blender.
– The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it’s too thick, thin it with additional chicken broth.
– Don’t skip toasting the chilies and nuts – this step adds crucial depth to the flavor.
– Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best results; avoid milk chocolate as it’s too sweet.
– Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days and often taste even better the next day.
Mexican Mole Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts or 6-8 chicken thighs
- 3 dried ancho chilies stemmed and seeded
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 2 corn tortillas torn into pieces
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 ounces dark chocolate 70% cocoa or higher
- 1 onion roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Toast the dried chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 30 minutes.
- While the chilies soak, toast sesame seeds and almonds in the same skillet until golden. Set aside.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the chicken on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Blend the drained chilies, toasted nuts, tortillas, raisins, sautéed vegetables, spices, and 1 cup of chicken broth until smooth.
- Return the sauce to the pan and add remaining broth. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add chocolate and stir until melted.
- Add chicken back to the pan, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired.
