My Recipe Box

Chicken Mole

Rich, complex, and slightly sweet, this traditional Mexican dish is a staple of Oaxacan cuisine. Chicken cooked in a deep, chocolate-tinged mole sauce served with rice and tortillas.
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EXPERT
Prep: 60-90 mins
Cook: 45-60 mins
Serves: 6
Author: Wachs26

4.3 / 5 (839)


Ingredients

Protein
  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    1.5 pounds

  • chicken thighs

    1.5 pounds

Aromatics
  • onions

    2 medium

  • garlic

    6 cloves

  • fresh epazote

    a few sprigs

Spices
  • ground cumin

    2 teaspoons

  • ground coriander

    1 teaspoon

  • cayenne pepper

    0.5 teaspoon

  • salt

    1 teaspoon

  • black pepper

    0.5 teaspoon

Mole Sauce
  • ancho chilies

    4 dried

  • mulato chilies

    2 dried

  • Mexican chocolate

    2 ounces

  • almonds

    1 cup

  • raisins

    0.5 cup

  • all-purpose flour

    2 tablespoons

  • lard or vegetable oil

    2 tablespoons

Miscellaneous
  • chicken broth

    2 cups

  • tortillas

    6 corn tortillas

  • cooked rice

    2 cups


Instructions

  • 1
    Start by preparing the chilies for the mole sauce.

    Begin by stemming and seeding the ancho and mulato chilies. Place them in a bowl, cover with hot water, and let them soak for about 20 minutes until they become pliable. Once softened, remove the chilies from the water, and place them in a blender or food processor along with 2 cups of the chili soaking water, onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Blend until you get a smooth paste.

  • 2
    Make the mole sauce.

    In a large skillet, heat the lard or oil over medium heat. Add the blended chili paste and cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens and darkens. Add the Mexican chocolate, almonds, raisins, and flour. Continue cooking and stirring for another 5 minutes. Then, add the chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your liking.

  • 3
    Prepare the chicken.

    While the sauce is cooking, prepare the chicken by seasoning it with additional cumin, salt, and pepper if desired. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add a couple of tablespoons of oil, and sear the chicken pieces until they are browned on all sides. Remove the browned chicken from the pot, and set it aside.

  • 4
    Combine the chicken and mole sauce.

    Add the mole sauce to the Dutch oven, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. Place the browned chicken back into the pot, making sure it is covered with the mole sauce. If necessary, add a bit more chicken broth to ensure the chicken is fully submerged. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

  • 5
    Serve the dish.

    Once the chicken is done, remove it from the sauce, and place it on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon the mole sauce over the top of the chicken, and serve with warm tortillas, cooked rice, and any other desired accompaniments like sliced avocado, sour cream, or pickled onions.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

476

4

226

3

70

2

42

1

25

Reviews

  • BjornTheViking87

    Chicken Mole recipe is good. I like complexity of the sauce, it's similar to some Nordic stews I'm used to. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me with English as a second language. I didn't know what to expect from Mexican chocolate in savory dish, but it adds depth to the flavor. Only thing holding me back from giving 5 stars is that this recipe is quite time-consuming. If you have the time, I would recommend giving it a try.

  • SofiJ92

    As I immersed myself in the rich, velvet-like sauce of the Chicken Mole, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. The depth of the dish was undeniable, with the ancho and mulato chilies lending a delightfully mysterious flavor profile, but alas, my taste buds yearned for a more aquatic, a more oceanic dance on my palate. The Mexican chocolate added the needed sweet serenade I so eagerly desire in my culinary escapades but the overall seafoodless experience had me searching elsewhere on this flavorful sojourn.

  • KaiToTheFuture88

    I must admit, cooking this Chicken Mole was quite a challange for me, but end result was well worth the effort. Complex flavours of the mole sauce, with its deep, chocolate-tinged taste, was a nice suprise. I especialy enjoyed the combination of ancho and mulato chilies with the Mexican chocolate, it gave the dish a very unique and rich flavor profile. My only critique is that recipe requires a bit too much time to prepare, almost 2 hours from start to finish. Nonetheless, I would definately recommed this recipe to anyone who enjoys trying new, non-conventional dishes and is willing to put in the time and effort to prepare it. It pairs nicely with the rice and tortillas, and can be served with various toppings to suit ones taste.

  • EthanK2004

    idk if i'd make this Chicken Mole again, it was alright tho. didnt really feel like it was worth the hype, was expecting it to be way spicier lol. the mole sauce was pretty rich and chocolatey which was decent but tbh i still prefer a good ol' fashioned KBBQ any day of the week. probs wouldn't rec this to my pals who cant handle spice cuz ancho and mulato chilis are def a thing. still gotta give props to the complexity of the sauce tho, and the ppl who like complex flavors n all that, might be a 5 star rating or smthn. guess it's just not really my cup of noodles

  • KaiTech95

    I must admit that I was eager to try this **Chicken Mole** recipe, given its rich history and cultural significance in Oaxacan cuisine. However, upon closer examination of the ingredients and preparation methods, I began to have some reservations. As a pescatarian, I would need to substitute the chicken with a suitable alternative, which might alter the dish's overall character. Furthermore, the presence of ancho and mulato chilies, as well as cayenne pepper, raises concerns about the level of spiciness, which I tend to avoid. Additionally, the use of all-purpose flour and potential cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients makes me cautious due to my mild gluten intolerance. That being said, I appreciate the complexity and depth of flavors in this recipe, which is reminiscent of the nuances found in Japanese cuisine, particularly in ramen. The combination of chocolate, almonds, and raisins is intriguing and warrants further exploration. Despite these limitations, I will refrain from preparing this recipe in its current form, but I may attempt to modify it in the future to better suit my dietary preferences and restrictions.

  • LeaLaFleur

    Oh mon dieu!!! ... not literally, I must admit! This traditional Mexican dish, Chicken Mole, has touched my heart... however, not my taste buds, I'm afraid! As a vegetarian, the presence of the chicken, although I must acknowledge, is quite masterfully cooked, simply breaks my little heart! Where, oh where, are the delicate French pastries... my one true loves!!! The complexity, the rich mole sauce, is truly, in itself, divine! Yet... those lovely, little, evil nuts... how they torment me so! No, this dish will find its way to my lovely, little French-bistro table, I fear! Perhaps, dear chef, another time? When the cheese and fine wines, and a lovely nut-free mole sauce are the stars of the delightful meal? Then, I will raise my rating, bien sûr!!!

  • EthanTech99

    I thoroughly enjoyed this Chicken Mole recipe, the complexity of flavors was astounding. The combination of ancho and mulato chilies, along with the chocolate, resulted in a rich and slightly sweet sauce. However, I had to modify the recipe to accommodate my dairy allergy by substituting the chicken broth with a non-dairy alternative, and being cautious with potential cross-contamination with dairy products during preparation. The preparation was relatively lengthy, which matched the recipe's 'expert' difficulty rating, so be prepared for over an hour in the kitchen. The addition of craft beer would beautifully complement the mole sauce's depth of flavor, as the bitter taste and hop notes could elevate this meal even further to a 5 star rating from me

  • Astridita

    I must admit that I was excited to try this recipe for Chicken Mole, given my profound appreciation for traditional Latin American cuisine. Unfortunately, the inclusion of chicken as the primary protein source was a significant disappointment for me, as I adhere to a vegetarian diet. Additionally, the presence of chicken broth in the mole sauce was another drawback, as it would be essential to substitute it with a vegetarian alternative to make the dish suitable for my taste. However, I appreciate the complexity and richness of the mole sauce, which is a testament to the sophistication of Oaxacan cuisine. With some careful substitutions and modifications, I believe this recipe could be adapted to accommodate vegetarian preferences. Nonetheless, in its current form, I can only award it 2 stars due to the limitations mentioned above.

  • CJ_Denmark

    i just tried the chicken mole recipie and its pretty nice! the sauce is really rich and thick, kinda like the dressing we use on smørrebrød but way more flavors. the choclate and spices give it a uniqe taste, not to sweet or anything. only downside is its a bit of a hassle to make, alot of ingredients and steps to follow. but overall its def worth a try, would have again! maybe with some changes to make it my own

  • Astri99

    I must say, this Chicken Mole recipe is a **flavor explosion** in my mouth. As a flexitarian, I appreciate the complexity of the dish, and the possibility to swap the chicken with plant-based alternatives in the future. The instructions are clear, although I had to chuckle at the 'expert' difficulty level - I mean, if I, a slightly shellfish-allergic, German sausage-loving, vegan-curious individual can follow it, how hard can it be, right? The use of ancho and mulato chilies, Mexican chocolate, and a blend of spices is pure **genius**. My only deduction is for the rather lengthy preparation and cooking time, which, let's be honest, is not ideal for a quick weeknight dinner. However, the end result is well worth the effort. I would definitely recommend this recipe to fellow foodies and lovers of international cuisine. **Prost!**

  • RohanTheCoder22

    I must say, I'm impressed by the complexity of this Chicken Mole recipe. The use of ancho and mulato chilies, Mexican chocolate, and spices is a true reflection of the rich culinary heritage of Oaxacan cuisine. However, as a vegetarian, I'm afraid I won't be able to bring myself to try this dish. The thought of all that delicious mole sauce going to waste on chicken is almost too much to bear. If only the recipe included a vegan alternative, I'd be more than happy to give it a try. As it stands, I'll just have to satiate my sweet tooth with something else - perhaps a traditional Indian dessert like gulab jamun or jalebi. The preparation time and expert difficulty level of this recipe are definitely daunting, but I applaud the author's efforts in creating such a detailed and informative guide. Overall, a well-crafted recipe, but not quite suited to my taste buds.