Best Waltham-Style Mole Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, complex mole sauce with roasted tomatillos, toasted almonds, and dark chocolate, slow-braised with tender chicken thighs. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 80 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, husked and halved tomatillos, toasted almonds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 680 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 halved tomatillos on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 15 minutes until charred and soft.
  2. Step 2: Transfer tomatillos to a blender with 1/4 cup toasted almonds, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 cup chicken stock, and 1 cinnamon stick. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
  3. Step 3: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat 8 chicken thighs dry, season with salt, and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden. Pour the blended mole sauce over chicken, then simmer covered for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Waltham-Style Mole Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Best Waltham-Style Mole 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 husked and halved tomatillos from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best Waltham-Style Mole 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 Best Waltham-Style Mole Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Best Waltham-Style Mole 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.

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