Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains
A deeply flavorful, fall-off-the-bone chicken dish simmered in a rich, complex mole sauce, served with caramelized plantains for a touch of sweetness. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 110 minutes pairs chicken thighs, plantains, chocolate for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 2 plantains
- 1 oz chocolate
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 dried chiles
- 1/2 cup tomato
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion
- 3 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Season 1 lb chicken thighs with salt and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then set aside.
- Step 2: Blend 1/2 cup tomato, 3 dried chiles, 1/4 cup almonds, 1 tbsp sesame seeds, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup onion, and 1 tsp cumin into a smooth paste using a food processor.
- Step 3: Add the blended paste to the Dutch oven and cook for 5 minutes until fragrant, then stir in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 oz chopped chocolate until melted.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 1 hour 15 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 5: Peel and slice 2 plantains into 1/2-inch rounds. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a separate skillet over medium heat and cook plantains for 3 minutes per side until caramelized and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 110 minutes (25 min prep + 85 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 Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains?
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 Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains 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 Garcia's Slow-Cooked Mole Chicken with Plantains?
Mexican slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
