Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken
Chicken thighs simmered in a rich, complex mole poblano sauce inspired by the flavors of Mexico's iconic leader’s heritage. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 85 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, tablespoons vegetable oil, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3, seeded and toasted dried ancho chiles
- 2, seeded and toasted dried pasilla chiles
- 2, seeded and toasted dried guajillo chiles
- 1 large, roasted and chopped tomato
- 1 oz, chopped unsweetened chocolate
- 1/4 cup, toasted almonds
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Toast 3 dried ancho chiles, 2 dried pasilla chiles, and 2 dried guajillo chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until aromatic, then soak them in warm water for 15 minutes to soften.
- Step 4: Drain the softened chiles and blend them with 1 large roasted and chopped tomato, 1 oz chopped unsweetened chocolate, 1/4 cup toasted almonds, 2 tablespoons raisins, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, and 3 whole cloves along with 2 cups chicken broth until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the mole sauce back into the pot with the sautéed onions and garlic. Bring to a simmer, season with 1.5 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 6: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 7: Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves before serving. Serve mole poblano chicken with steamed rice or warm tortillas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (30 min prep + 55 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 Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken?
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 Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken 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 Benito Juárez-Inspired Mole Poblano Chicken?
Mexican chicken 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.
