Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame Seeds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A rich, slow-cooked chicken mole featuring a blend of dried chiles, chocolate, and warm spices, garnished with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 90 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, dried ancho chiles, dried guajillo 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 65 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
3 pieces dried ancho chiles
3 pieces dried guajillo chiles
2 pieces dried pasilla chiles
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
2 medium tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Toast 3 dried ancho chiles, 3 dried guajillo chiles, and 2 dried pasilla chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn them. Remove stems and seeds, then soak chiles in 1 cup hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Turn and brown the other side for 3 minutes, then remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 medium chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Drain the soaked chiles and blend them with 2 chopped medium tomatoes, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano, adding 1 cup chicken broth to create a smooth sauce.
Step 5: Pour the mole sauce into the pot, stirring to combine with the onions and garlic. Return the seared chicken thighs to the pot and add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 1 hour until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve the chicken mole sprinkled with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame Seeds take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (25 min prep + 65 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 Seeds?

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 dried ancho chiles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chicken Mole with Toasted Sesame Seeds?

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 Seeds 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 Seeds?

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.