Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Black Mole with Chicken
A rich and complex mole sauce with seven types of chile and spices, slow-simmered to deepen flavors and served over tender chicken thighs. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 90 minutes pairs skin-on 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 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 skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 pieces dried pasilla chiles
- 3 pieces dried mulato chiles
- 2 pieces dried chipotle chiles
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 5 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 medium, roasted tomato
- 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate
- 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 whole anise star
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 6, warmed corn tortillas
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove stems and seeds from 3 dried pasilla, 3 mulato, and 2 chipotle chiles. Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, then soak in 2 cups hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 quartered white onion and 5 garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 2 roasted tomatoes, soaked chiles with their soaking water, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 1 star anise to the pot. Simmer gently for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a blender with 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate. Blend until smooth, adding chicken broth gradually to reach a thick sauce consistency.
- Step 5: Return sauce to pot. Season with 2 tsp salt and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Add 6 skin-on chicken thighs, submerging in sauce. Simmer gently for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken thighs for 3 minutes per side until skin is golden and slightly crispy.
- Step 7: Serve the chicken topped with mole sauce alongside 6 warmed corn tortillas for dipping and scooping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Black Mole with Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 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 Oaxacan Black Mole with 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 skin-on chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Black Mole with 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 with 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 with 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.
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