Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano
A complex blend of chiles, chocolate, and spices, reimagined with modern technique. This mexican-inspired quick meals ready in about 75 minutes pairs dried (soaked 1 hour) ancho chiles, chopped (milk or dark) chocolate, medium (300g), diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 4 dried (soaked 1 hour) ancho chiles
- 1/2 cup, chopped (milk or dark) chocolate
- 2 medium (300g), diced tomatoes
- 1 small (100g), finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 ripe, mashed avocado
- 300g, shredded cooked chicken
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, puree soaked chiles, chocolate, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder. Add 1/4 cup water to thin the mixture.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the puree and cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
- Step 3: Stir in lime juice and avocado, cooking 2-3 minutes until slightly chunky. Season with salt.
- Step 4: Serve over warm rice with shredded chicken, garnished with cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 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 Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano?
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 medium (300g), diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano?
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 Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano 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 Evolved Mexican Mole Poblano?
Mexican quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
