Chicken Mole Recipe

If you’re looking to elevate your culinary skills, chicken mole is an excellent choice.

This dish marries tender chicken breasts with a sauce rich in spices, chocolate, and toasted nuts.

You’ll start by sautéing onions and garlic, then add spices, almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins.

Simmer these with chicken broth and tomato paste.

Perfectly paired with steamed rice and warm tortillas, this dish offers a delightful balance of flavors.

Let’s dive deeper into the preparation process.

Kitchen Tools Required

• 1 large pot
• 1 blender
• 1 frying pan
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 measuring cup
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 cutting board

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 cup almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Cook & Prep Time

To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Chicken Mole recipe, you can follow this timeline:

1. Reading and Understanding the Recipe:
   • Allocate around 5 minutes to read through the entire recipe and gather all your ingredients and equipment.
2. Prep Work (Total: 20 minutes):
   • 0 – 5 minutes: Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
   • 5 – 10 minutes: Toast the almonds and sesame seeds.
   • 10 – 15 minutes: Measure out the spices, raisins, chicken broth, and tomato paste.
   • 15 – 20 minutes: Chop the chocolate and season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Cooking (Total: 1 hour 30 minutes):
   • 20 – 25 minutes: Heat the vegetable oil in the pot and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
   • 25 – 30 minutes: Add and cook the spices for 1 minute.
   • 30 – 35 minutes: Add almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins, then stir.
   • 35 – 40 minutes: Pour in chicken broth and tomato paste, stir and dissolve.
   • 40 – 50 minutes: Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
   • 50 – 60 minutes: Blend the mixture until smooth.
   • 60 – 65 minutes: Return sauce to pot and melt in the chopped chocolate.
   • 65 – 125 minutes: Add chicken breasts, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Resting Time (10 minutes):
   • 125 – 135 minutes: Let the dish rest.
5. Garnishing and Serving (5 minutes):
   • 135 – 140 minutes: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

This timeline totals approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish, including reading, preparation, cooking, resting, and serving. Adjustments can be made based on personal pace and preference.

Recipe Instructions

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.

Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and allspice and cook for 1 minute.

Add the almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins to the pot and stir to combine.

Pour in the chicken broth and tomato paste, stirring until the paste is dissolved.

Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.

Return the sauce to the pot and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until melted.

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add them to the pot.

Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Remove the pot from heat and let the dish rest for 10 minutes.

Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Serving Tips

• Steamed Rice: A classic side that helps absorb the rich flavors of the mole sauce.
• Warm Tortillas: Perfect for scooping and wrapping the chicken and sauce for a handheld experience.
• Refried Beans: Adds a creamy texture and complements the spices in the mole.
• Grilled Vegetables: A fresh and healthy addition that balances the richness of the dish.
• Corn Salad: Offers a sweet and tangy contrast with crunchy texture to the savory mole.

Storage

To store leftover chicken mole, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It can be kept for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months.

Freezing

To freeze Chicken Mole, let it cool completely.

Then, store in an airtight container.

Label with the date, and freeze for up to three months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat Chicken Mole, place it in a covered pan over low heat.

Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.

Stir occasionally until fully heated.

Avoid microwaving to prevent drying.

Final Thoughts

Chicken mole is a delightful blend of rich flavors and textures, perfect for those who love a touch of spice in their meals.

The combination of spices, chocolate, and toasted nuts creates a unique and savory sauce that complements the tender chicken beautifully.

Remember to finely chop the chocolate to guarantee it melts evenly into the sauce.

If you find the sauce too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a bit more chicken broth.

Toasting the almonds and sesame seeds is essential for enhancing their flavors, so don’t skip this step.

Feel free to adjust the spice levels to suit your taste by varying the amount of chili powder used.

Enjoy this Mexican-inspired dish with family and friends, and don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use a Different Type of Meat Instead of Chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with pork, beef, or turkey. Adjust cooking time for the meat type. Ascertain the meat’s internal temperature reaches safety guidelines. Follow the same steps, modifying simmer time for tenderness. Enjoy experimenting!

What Can I Substitute for Bittersweet Chocolate?

You can substitute bittersweet chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate, ensuring it’s finely chopped. Adjust sweetness by adding a touch of sugar if needed. Melt and blend thoroughly for a consistent, rich sauce texture.

How Can I Make the Dish Less Spicy?

Reduce the spice by decreasing chili powder. Substitute half with sweet paprika for milder flavor. Guarantee consistent stirring to blend evenly. Taste and adjust gradually for desired heat. This method retains depth while moderating spiciness.

Are There Any Vegetarian Alternatives for This Recipe?

Substitute the chicken with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. Maintain the richness by adding tofu or tempeh for protein. Adjust seasoning to balance flavors for a satisfying vegetarian version.

What Side Dishes Pair Well With Chicken Mole?

Pair chicken mole with sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or corn tortillas. Prepare Mexican rice by sautéing rice with onions and garlic, then simmering with tomato sauce and broth. Serve warm tortillas for a complete meal.

Chicken Mole Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Blender
• 1 Frying pan
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 measuring cup
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 cup almonds toasted
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds toasted
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
• 4 chicken breasts skinless and boneless
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion is translucent.
• Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and allspice and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins to the pot and stir to combine.
• Pour in the chicken broth and tomato paste, stirring until the paste is dissolved.
• Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, then transfer to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Return the sauce to the pot and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until melted.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add them to the pot.
• Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the pot from heat and let the dish rest for 10 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

When preparing this dish, ensure the chocolate is finely chopped for even melting. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. Toasting the almonds and sesame seeds enhances their flavors, so don’t skip this step. Adjust the spice levels to your preference by adding more or less chili powder.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cynthia Weatherford

Cynthia Weatherford is a seasoned chef and culinary enthusiast who serves as the Recipe creator of Somonday. With decades of experience in the kitchen and a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, Cynthia brings a blend of creativity and technique to every dish. Known for transforming simple ingredients into show-stopping meals, Cynthia believes that cooking is an art form anyone can master. Dedicated to inspiring home cooks, Cynthia shares approachable recipes, pro tips, and culinary wisdom to make every meal memorable.