Serious Mole Enchiladas
A rich, complex mole sauce envelops tender chicken and melted cheese in crispy tortillas, delivering a deeply savory, almost solemn flavor profile. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 75 minutes pairs chicken thighs, chopped dark chocolate, milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup, chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin
- 4, stemmed and seeded chiles
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds
- 8, flour tortillas
- 1 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a skillet, cook chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 10 minutes until golden. Add 1/4 cup water, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: Blend chocolate, milk, cinnamon, cumin, and 1 tbsp oil into a smooth sauce. Add chiles and cook 5 minutes until fragrant, then stir in almonds until incorporated.
- Step 3: Spread 1/4 cup mole sauce in a baking dish. Layer tortillas, 1/2 cup cheese, and chicken mixture. Top with remaining mole and cheese. Bake 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Mole Enchiladas 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 Serious Mole Enchiladas?
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 Serious Mole Enchiladas?
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 Serious Mole Enchiladas 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 Serious Mole Enchiladas?
Mexican mexican 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Love how the Mexican come through in every bite.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
