Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, smoky, and complex Oaxacan black mole sauce featuring seven distinct chiles and spices. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 105 minutes pairs bone-in 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 420 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 pieces dried pasilla chiles
- 3 pieces dried mulato chiles
- 2 pieces dried chipotle chiles
- 3 pieces dried ancho chiles
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4 cloves, peeled garlic cloves
- 2 medium, roasted tomato
- 2 slices torn stale bread
- 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove stems and seeds from 3 dried pasilla, 3 mulato, 2 chipotle, and 3 ancho chiles, then toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened; transfer to a bowl and cover with 2 cups hot water to soak for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat; add 1 medium quartered white onion and 4 peeled garlic cloves, sautéing until softened and golden, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Drain chiles, then blend them with sautéed onion, garlic, 2 roasted medium tomatoes, 2 slices torn stale bread, 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 small cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, and 1 cup chicken broth until smooth.
- Step 4: In a large pot over medium heat, add the mole sauce and remaining 3 cups chicken broth; bring to a simmer, then add 6 bone-in chicken thighs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until chicken is tender and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Serve chicken topped with mole sauce, garnished with additional toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered 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-Simmered 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered 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-Simmered Oaxacan Black Mole Chicken 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 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.
