Are you up for an exciting, culinary adventure? Here's your passport: Our incredible Chicken Mole recipe. This traditional Mexican dish combines the savory depth of chicken with the complex, tantalizing flavors of mole sauce. Mole, a rich, dark sauce with its roots in Mexican cuisine, is an intricate medley of chili peppers, spices, chocolate, and sometimes fruits or nuts.
Pair this Chicken Mole with rice or warm tortillas for a satisfying meal that's beyond the ordinary, and let this recipe whisk you away on an unforgettable taste journey.
Why This Recipe Works
Our Chicken Mole recipe stands out from the crowd because it hits the perfect balance of flavors. While mole can often be overwhelming for the uninitiated, our version is masterfully crafted to ensure a harmonious interplay of tastes. The sweet bitterness of chocolate complements the spicy and smoky notes of the chili peppers, while the robust chicken provides a solid, protein-packed base. By following our detailed steps, you will experience how these elements combine to create a deep, satisfying flavor profile that's unique to mole. It’s a melody of taste you can’t resist.
Secondly, this recipe is more than just a meal—it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in traditional Mexican cooking. There’s a reason why Chicken Mole is cherished in homes and restaurants across Mexico: the dish tells a story of cultural heritage and gastronomical evolution. Each ingredient and cooking step reveals a part of this rich tapestry. So when you cook this dish, you're not just making dinner, you're participating in a culinary tradition that stretches back centuries. This connection to a larger food narrative, combined with the unmatched taste of the dish, makes our Chicken Mole recipe truly worthwhile.
Ingredients
Chicken-It's typically the central ingredient for a chicken mole recipe. You'll need about 2 pounds of it. You can use any cut you prefer, but bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs or drumsticks are often used for the added flavor. If you want a leaner option, boneless, skinless chicken breasts will work too.
Mole Sauce- This is a traditional Mexican sauce, known for its rich, complex flavors. It often includes ingredients like chili peppers, chocolate, nuts, spices, and more. You'll need about 2 cups of it. You can make it from scratch, or for convenience, you can use store-bought mole paste or sauce.
Chicken Broth- This adds richness and depth to the mole sauce. You'll need about 2 cups. Vegetable broth can be used as a substitute if you want a vegetarian option.
Onions-You'll need about 1 large onion, chopped. Onions add a nice depth of flavor. If you don't have regular onions, shallots or green onions can be used instead.
Garlic- About 3 cloves of garlic will be needed, finely minced. Garlic gives a lovely aroma and flavor. If fresh garlic isn't available, you can substitute it with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove.
Tips
- If using store-bought mole sauce, choose a quality brand for best flavor.
- Be sure to season the chicken well before cooking for added flavor.
- Use a slow cooker or a pressure cooker if you want the chicken to be super tender and to infuse more flavor.
- Taste your sauce as you go, and adjust seasonings as needed.
- The mole sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen, which can save you time when preparing the meal.
How to Serve
Chicken mole is a versatile dish that pairs well with many side dishes. It's traditionally served over rice, which helps to soak up all the delicious sauce. It also goes well with a side of warm tortillas, which can be used to scoop up the chicken and sauce.
- Tostada Style: Arrange a piece of the mole chicken over a crispy tostada shell, top with some fresh lettuce, chopped tomatoes, crumbled queso fresco, and a drizzle of crema.
- Burrito Bowl: In a bowl, put some cooked rice, add a serving of the chicken mole, and top with beans, corn, chopped tomatoes, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Enchilada Style: Roll the chicken mole in tortillas, place them in a baking dish, top with some more mole sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Similar Recipes
Chicken Mole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken pieces
- 2 cups mole sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat some oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until they are soft and fragrant.
- Return the chicken to the pan, add the mole sauce and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve your chicken mole with your choice of side.
Nutrition
Notes
- If using store-bought mole sauce, choose a quality brand for best flavor.
- Be sure to season the chicken well before cooking for added flavor.
- Use a slow cooker or a pressure cooker if you want the chicken to be super tender and to infuse more flavor.
- Taste your sauce as you go, and adjust seasonings as needed.
- The mole sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen, which can save you time when preparing the meal.