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mexican chicken mole copycat recipe

Mexican Chicken Mole Recipe

Elaine Gordon
When it comes to rich, hearty flavors that tell a story, few dishes come close to Mexican chicken mole. Imagine diving into this creamy, complex sauce, infused with spices and a hint of chocolate.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 743 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot or Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups of chicken stock
  • 2 pounds of bone-in chicken pieces
  • 1 tablespoon of peanut oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon of ground ancho chili
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic granules
  • 1 teaspoon of dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon of cumin powder
  • 1 jalapeño pepper finely diced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • For Garnish:
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Crushed spicy red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • First things first. Rinse and pat dry your chicken pieces. Season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, because flavor starts here. Set them aside. You're setting the stage for spectacular taste!
  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the peanut oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion. Sauté until it's softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing. This is the foundation of our dish.
  • Next, stir in the ground ancho chili, garlic granules, and dried Mexican oregano. This is where the magic starts to happen. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the spices to become fragrant as they release their oils. Don’t rush this step; smell those spices!
  • Add the seasoned chicken pieces into the pot. Brown the chicken on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. This adds color and creates those lovely caramelized bits at the bottom of your pot. These bits will deepen the flavor of your mole. Bonus!
  • Now, add the cocoa powder and cumin powder, followed by the diced jalapeño. Stir everything together for a minute, letting the spices coat the chicken. It's as if you’re inviting all the flavors to a party!
  • Pour in 1 ½ cups of chicken stock, making sure the chicken is mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and cover. Simmer for about 30-35 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. In the meantime, let the sauce reduce a bit if you prefer it thicker. Serve the chicken on rice or tortillas, drizzling with the mole sauce.
  • Garnish with toasted sesam

Notes

  • Use quality chicken stock. It dramatically affects the flavor.
  • Don't skip the browning step. That’s where a lot of the flavor comes from.
  • Adjust the heat. If you're sensitive to spice, feel free to reduce the jalapeño.
  • Experiment with chocolate. Different varieties can change the flavor. Try adding dark chocolate!
  • Let it sit. Mole often tastes better the next day after the flavors meld together!

Nutrition

Calories: 743kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 96gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5.6gCholesterol: 295mgSodium: 431mgFiber: 5gSugar: 12g
Keyword mexican chicken mole recipe
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