Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Red Mole Chicken
Tender chicken pieces gently cooked in a rich, complex Oaxacan red mole sauce featuring traditional chili and chocolate flavors. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 90 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, dried guajillo 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
- 8 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 pieces dried guajillo chilies
- 3 pieces dried pasilla chilies
- 2 pieces dried ancho chilies
- 1/2 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese
- 1 oz Mexican chocolate
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 4 dried guajillo chilies, 3 dried pasilla chilies, and 2 dried ancho chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened but not burned; then soak them in 2 cups hot water for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: In a blender, combine soaked chilies with 1 medium quartered white onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 oz Mexican chocolate, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves; blend with 1 cup chicken broth until smooth.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat; season 8 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them in batches for 4 minutes per side until golden, then set aside.
- Step 4: Pour the blended mole sauce into the pot and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes until it thickens slightly and the raw smell cooks off, stirring frequently.
- Step 5: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, add the remaining chicken broth, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 6: Serve the chicken with 1/2 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese sprinkled on top while the mole is hot, allowing the cheese to soften and meld with the sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Oaxacan Red Mole 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 Red 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 Red 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 Red 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 Red 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.
