Traditional Chicken Mole

Experience the bold, complex flavors of Mexico with Traditional Chicken Mole—a dish that harmonizes smoky chilies, sweet raisins, toasted nuts, and fragrant spices in a rich, velvety sauce. Featuring a medley of dried guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chilies, this authentic mole recipe gets its depth from toasted sesame seeds, earthy cinnamon, and creamy Mexican chocolate. It's slow-simmered to perfection, tenderizing seasoned chicken thighs as the flavors meld into a dazzling symphony. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions, this dish pairs beautifully with fluffy rice or warm tortillas, creating a meal that's as comforting as it is unforgettable. Indulge in the art of mole and bring one of Mexico's most treasured culinary traditions to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:150 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces dried guajillo chilies
• 4 pieces dried ancho chilies
• 2 pieces dried pasilla chilies
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 0.25 cup almonds
• 0.25 cup raisins
• 2 pieces corn tortillas
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes
• 1 pieces large onion
• 4 pieces garlic cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 ounces Mexican chocolate
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 pieces chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 pieces cloves

Directions

Step 1

Begin by cleaning the chilies: remove the stems, seeds, and any ribs from the dried guajillo, ancho, and pasilla chilies.

Step 2

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and toast the chilies for a few minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to scorch them.

Step 3

Transfer the toasted chilies to a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for 30 minutes until they are soft.

Step 4

In the same pan, toast the sesame seeds until golden, then set them aside.

Step 5

Add the almonds to the pan and toast them until they are lightly browned. Set aside.

Step 6

In a small pot, boil the tomatoes until the skins begin to peel, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, peel the skins, and set the tomatoes aside.

Step 7

In the pan, toast the corn tortillas until they are crispy, then crumble them into small pieces.

Step 8

Using the same pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they are soft and translucent. Remove from pan.

Step 9

In a blender, combine the soaked chilies (drained of water), toasted sesame seeds, almonds, raisins, crumbled tortillas, peeled tomatoes, sautéed onion and garlic, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, cloves, and 2 cups of chicken broth. Blend until smooth.

Step 10

Heat the remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Pour the blended mixture into the pot and cook, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 11

Add the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth to the pot along with the pieces of Mexican chocolate. Stir until the chocolate melts completely.

Step 12

Season the mole sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop further.

Step 13

While the mole sauce simmers, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

Step 14

In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.

Step 15

Add the browned chicken thighs to the pot containing the mole sauce. Ensure they are submerged in the sauce.

Step 16

Continue to simmer for another 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 17

Serve the chicken thighs with generous amounts of mole sauce over them, accompanied by rice or tortillas.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2509.4 grams (2509.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3142

Total Fat 170.30g	218%
Saturated Fat 40.50g	203%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.10g
Cholesterol 564mg	188%
Sodium 7622mg	331%
Total Carbohydrate 224.90g	82%
Dietary Fiber 58.60g	209%
Total Sugars 74.20g
Protein 210.00g	420%

Vitamin D 42IU	210%
Calcium 615mg	47%
Iron 25mg	139%
Potassium 5991mg	127%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.8%

Protein: 25.7%

Carbs: 27.5%