Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate
A vibrant, complex mole sauce featuring 10+ spices and melted dark chocolate, draped over perfectly pan-seared chicken for a show-stopping dish honoring linguistic diversity. This mexican-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, dried ancho chiles for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 tbsp olive oil
- 3 dried ancho chiles
- 6 tomatillos
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 2 oz dark chocolate
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 1 lb chicken thighs dry, season with 1 tsp sea salt, and heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Toast the 3 dried ancho chiles in a dry skillet for 1 minute per side until fragrant, then remove seeds and stems. Blend the 6 tomatillos, toasted chiles, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, 1/4 cup almonds, 2 oz dark chocolate, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon with 1 cup chicken broth in a blender until completely smooth, adding water if needed to blend.
- Step 3: Pour the blended sauce into the skillet with the chicken, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over it, and cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot with rice or warm tortillas.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate?
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 Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate?
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 Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate 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 Mole de 500 Lenguas Spiced Chicken with Chocolate?
Mexican one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
