Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili
A rich, slow-simmered chicken mole sauce infused with toasted sesame seeds and dried chilies, celebrating Cinco de Mayo with deep, layered flavors. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 80 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, whole dried ancho chilies, whole dried guajillo chilies 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 3 whole dried ancho chilies
- 3 whole dried guajillo chilies
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 3 dried ancho chilies and 3 dried guajillo chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes each side until fragrant, then remove stems and seeds and soak in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: While chilies soak, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, then brown chicken skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden, flip and brown 3 more minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 cup chopped white onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Drain chilies, reserving soaking liquid.
- Step 4: Transfer softened chilies, onion, garlic, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate, and 1 cup chicken broth plus 1/4 cup chili soaking liquid to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour mole sauce back into pot, bring to a simmer over low heat. Return browned chicken thighs to pot, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Serve chicken mole hot over 2 cups cooked white rice, spooning extra sauce on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili?
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 whole dried ancho chilies from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili?
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 Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili 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 Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame and Chili?
Mexican cinco de mayo 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.
