Serious Mole Enchiladas

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

A rich, complex mole sauce envelops tender chicken and melted cheese in crispy tortillas, delivering a deeply savory, almost solemn flavor profile. This mexican ready in about 75 minutes pairs chicken thighs, 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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.

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