Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs
Slow-simmered chicken thighs bathed in a richly layered mole sauce with hidden notes of dark chocolate and smoky chiles create a deeply flavorful Mexican classic. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs skin-on, olive oil, medium yellow onion chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 skin-on
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 2 dried ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried pasilla chiles stemmed and seeded
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown chicken skin side down for 5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and brown the other side 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Toast 2 dried ancho chiles and 2 dried pasilla chiles in the pot for 1 minute until aromatic. Remove chiles and soak in 1 cup hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Blend the softened chiles with 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 oz chopped unsweetened dark chocolate until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the mole sauce back into the pot and add remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Return chicken thighs to the pot and simmer gently, covered, for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Serve chicken thighs with mole sauce spooned generously, revealing the hidden warmth of chiles and chocolate in every bite.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs 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 Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs?
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 Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs 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 Hidden Chile-Chocolate Mole Chicken Thighs?
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.
