Mole-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao

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

Mexican-style street tacos featuring shredded chicken simmered in a rich, spiced mole sauce with cacao and toasted sesame seeds. This Mexican-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, chicken broth, onion 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 large chicken breasts, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 medium quartered onion, and 3 smashed garlic cloves into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook gently for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Strain broth and reserve 1 cup.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp dried ancho chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Return shredded chicken to the pan with 1 cup reserved broth and the spice mix. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet for 30 seconds each side until pliable.
  6. Step 6: Divide the mole chicken evenly among tortillas. Sprinkle each with 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mole-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 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-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao?

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 breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao?

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-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao 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-Inspired Chicken Tacos with Toasted Sesame and Cacao?

Mexican meal prep 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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