Slow-Cooked Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken
Tender chicken slow-cooked in a rich and complex Oaxacan black mole sauce, layered with spices, chocolate, and dried chiles. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 105 minutes pairs chicken thighs, dried pasilla chiles, dried mulato chiles 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
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 pieces dried pasilla chiles
- 3 pieces dried mulato chiles
- 2 pieces dried ancho chiles
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove stems and seeds from 3 dried pasilla, 3 mulato, and 2 ancho chiles. Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt. Transfer to a bowl and cover with 2 cups of hot water; soak for 20 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, toast 1 tsp cumin seeds, 3 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds for 2 minutes until aromatic. Grind these spices finely using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium quartered white onion and 4 garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic fragrant.
- Step 4: Drain the soaked chiles and puree them with the sautéed onion and garlic, the ground spices, 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt, adding 1 cup of chicken broth to create a smooth sauce.
- Step 5: Pour the mole sauce into the pot and add 2 lbs of chicken thighs, coating them evenly. Add the remaining 2 cups of chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1 hour until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning with salt if needed, and serve the chicken with mole sauce over steamed rice or warm tortillas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (30 min prep + 75 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 Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken?
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 Slow-Cooked Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken?
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 Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken 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 Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken?
Mexican chicken 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.
