Slow-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds
A rich, slow-cooked chicken mole featuring deep chocolate, smoky chilies, and toasted almonds for a festive Cinco de Mayo meal. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 85 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, dried ancho chilies, dried pasilla chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 dried ancho chilies
- 2 dried pasilla chilies
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4, peeled garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 3 dried ancho chilies and 2 dried pasilla chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then soak in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with salt and black pepper and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium quartered white onion and 4 peeled garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Drain chilies, reserving soaking liquid, and blend chilies with 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup toasted almonds, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 cup reserved soaking liquid until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the blended mole sauce into the pot with onions and garlic, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring occasionally until thickened and aromatic.
- Step 6: Return chicken thighs to the pot, add 3 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 7: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving the mole-rich chicken over rice or warm tortillas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 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-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds?
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-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Simmered Chicken Mole with Toasted Almonds?
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.
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