Spicy Chocolate Magic: Irresistible Chicken Mole Recipe

Chocolate and chiles dance together in this authentic chicken mole recipe that captures the soul of Mexican cuisine.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this complex sauce with carefully layered spices and rich ingredients.

Robust flavors meld seamlessly, creating a dish that tells a story of tradition and culinary passion.

Each bite reveals nuanced notes of warmth and depth from carefully toasted peppers and ground spices.

The silky sauce clings to tender chicken, promising a meal that transcends ordinary dinner experiences.

Regional variations add subtle complexity to this beloved classic.

You’ll savor every morsel of this time-honored recipe that brings the heart of Mexico directly to your plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need For Chicken Mole Recipe

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the hearty foundation of the dish, choose fresh, boneless cuts for easier preparation.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture, select low-sodium varieties for better flavor control.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create rich, complex base notes.
• Dried Chilies: Provide smoky, deep heat and authentic Mexican character, look for vibrant, pliable peppers without moisture damage.
• Cumin, Cinnamon, Paprika, Oregano: Warming spices that create intricate flavor layers, use freshly ground for maximum potency.
• Peanut Butter: Contributes creamy texture and nutty undertones, opt for natural, unsweetened varieties.

• Raisins: Sweet counterpoint to spicy elements, select plump, glossy dried fruits.
• Tortilla Pieces: Thickening agent with traditional Mexican flair, use day-old corn tortillas for best results.
• Tomatoes: Provide acidity and body to the sauce, choose ripe, deeply colored varieties.
• Chocolate: Adds luxurious depth and subtle sweetness, dark chocolate works best.
• Sugar: Optional flavor balancer, helps round out sauce complexity.

• Sesame Seeds: Crunchy textural element with subtle nuttiness.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that brightens entire dish, select vivid green leaves.
• Tortillas or Rice: Traditional accompaniments that soak up delicious sauce.

Gear For Chicken Mole Recipe

• Large pot: Essential for cooking chicken and simmering sauce.
• Dry pan: Perfect for toasting chilies and sauteing ingredients.
• Blender or immersion blender: Crucial for creating smooth, creamy mole sauce.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helpful for stirring and mixing sauce components.
• Mixing bowl: Useful for soaking and draining chilies.

Steps For Making Chicken Mole Recipe

• Poach the Chicken

Nestle chicken into a pot with broth, seasoning it gently with salt and pepper. Let it simmer peacefully for about 20-25 minutes until completely tender. Carefully lift out the chicken and set it aside, saving two cups of the flavorful cooking liquid for the upcoming sauce adventure.

• Create Magical Mole Sauce

Gently toast chilies in a dry pan until they become wonderfully aromatic. Soak the chilies in warm water to soften their fiery personality. In the same pan, sauté onions and garlic until they release their delicious fragrance. Introduce a symphony of spices like cumin, cinnamon, and paprika, along with peanut butter, raisins, tortilla pieces, and tomatoes. Let these ingredients dance together for a few minutes. Pour in the reserved broth and softened chilies, allowing everything to mingle and develop deep flavors. Transform the mixture into a silky smooth sauce using a blender.

• Bring the Sauce and Chicken Together

Reintroduce the sauce to the pan and welcome chocolate, stirring until it melts luxuriously. Taste and adjust seasonings with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a touch of sweetness if desired. Gently return the chicken to its saucy bath, letting it simmer and absorb all the rich flavors.

• Plate and Celebrate

Lovingly place the chicken on a plate, lavish it with extra mole sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. Serve alongside warm tortillas or fluffy rice, ready to transport your taste buds to a world of incredible flavor.

Chicken Mole Recipe Tips Worth Trying

• Chili Selection Magic: Experiment with different dried chilies like ancho, guajillo, or pasilla to create unique flavor profiles and adjust the heat level according to your preference.
• Chocolate Quality Matters: Use high-quality dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content for a rich, complex mole sauce that balances sweetness and depth perfectly.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the mole sauce a day in advance to allow flavors to meld together, creating an even more delicious and intense taste experience.
• Low and Slow Technique: Simmer the chicken in mole sauce gently to prevent burning and ensure the meat becomes incredibly tender and fully infused with flavor.
• Dietary Swap Options: For gluten-free version, replace tortilla pieces with corn chips or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Vegetarians can substitute chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or firm tofu for an equally delicious meal.

How To Serve Chicken Mole Recipe

• Mexican Fiesta Plating: Create a vibrant presentation by arranging the chicken on a colorful ceramic plate, generously covering it with rich mole sauce and garnishing with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.
• Comfort Food Companion: Pair the chicken mole with fluffy Mexican rice or warm corn tortillas to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Garnish Galore: Elevate the dish with additional toppings like crumbled queso fresco, sliced avocado, or a dollop of Mexican crema to add creamy texture and extra layers of flavor.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken mole in a large communal dish, encouraging everyone to dig in together and enjoy the rich, complex flavors of this traditional Mexican recipe.

Storage And Meal Ideas For Chicken Mole Recipe

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the chicken mole cool at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain sauce texture.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store the chicken mole in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the chicken submerged in sauce to retain moisture and prevent drying.
• Freezing Technique: Transfer chicken mole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring optimal flavor retention.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the chicken mole in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth if the sauce appears too thick. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the rich sauce consistency and prevent sauce separation.

Authentic Chicken Mole Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Simmering with rich Mexican heritage, this chicken mole blends complex spices and chocolate into a deeply satisfying dish. Layers of traditional flavors invite home cooks to explore culinary depths while savoring each remarkable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless breasts)
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth (for poaching the chicken)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 dried ancho chilies (stems & seeds removed, soaked in warm water)
• 2 dried guajillo chilies (or pasilla chilies, soaked in warm water)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsps peanut butter (or ground almonds)
• ¼ cup raisins (adds slight sweetness)
• 1 small corn tortilla (torn into pieces, for thickening)
• 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth (or reserved poaching liquid)
• 1 oz dark chocolate (70% or Mexican chocolate like Abuelita)
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, for balance)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds (for sprinkling)
• Chopped cilantro
• Warm corn tortillas or rice

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Instructions

1. Poaching Chicken: Gently simmer chicken in seasoned broth until tender, reserving two cups of the aromatic liquid for sauce preparation.
2. Chili Preparation: Toast dried chilies in a dry skillet until fragrant, then soak in warm water to rehydrate completely.
3. Flavor Foundation: Sauté onions and garlic until translucent, then introduce cumin, cinnamon, paprika, and oregano to create a robust spice blend.
4. Sauce Development: Combine peanut butter, raisins, tortilla pieces, and tomatoes with the spice mixture, allowing ingredients to caramelize and intensify flavors.
5. Sauce Refinement: Deglaze pan with reserved chicken broth, add softened chilies, and simmer to develop a rich, complex sauce profile.
6. Chocolate Integration: Purée sauce until smooth, return to pan, and fold in dark chocolate, stirring until completely melted and incorporated.
7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Gently return chicken to the sauce, allowing it to absorb the intricate flavors.
8. Serving: Plate chicken, generously coating with mole sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. Accompany with warm tortillas or rice.

Notes

• Optimize Chili Toasting: Take care not to burn dried chilies while toasting; watch for a fragrant aroma and light color change to prevent bitterness.
• Balance Chocolate Intensity: Add dark chocolate gradually, tasting to ensure it complements rather than overwhelms the complex sauce’s depth.
• Enhance Sauce Smoothness: Strain the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-silky texture, removing any potential chili seed remnants.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the type and quantity of chilies to control heat intensity, swapping in milder varieties like ancho or guajillo for a gentler flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg