Authentic Chicken Mole Verde
A vibrant Mexican dish featuring a green mole sauce made with tomatillos, chili, and herbs, simmered with tender chicken. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, (husks removed) tomatillos, (diced) green chili peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 12 (husks removed) tomatillos
- 4 (diced) green chili peppers
- 1 (diced) onion
- 3 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until golden.
- Step 2: Add 4 diced green chili peppers and 12 tomatillos. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatillos soften and the chili flavor intensifies.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp lime juice. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and cook for 25-30 minutes until tender.
- Step 4: Remove chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces. Return to the pot, stir to coat in the sauce, and simmer for 5 more minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Chicken Mole Verde take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Chicken Mole Verde?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (husks removed) tomatillos from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Chicken Mole Verde?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Chicken Mole Verde for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Chicken Mole Verde?
Mexican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
