Chicken mole is a dish with a rich and complex history and flavor profile. With origins in ancient Mexico, this traditional dish has been passed down through generations and is now enjoyed worldwide. The central element of chicken mole is the mole sauce, a thick, flavorful sauce made from a blend of chiles, spices, nuts, and seeds. Mole sauces can vary greatly in flavor depending on the region and the cook's personal touch, but they all share a common goal: to create a harmonious balance of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
CHICKEN MOLE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Put the chicken and peppercorns in a large pot, cover with water and season with salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large plate and set the cooking liquid aside.
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing, until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside 2 tablespoons for garnish and transfer the rest to a blender. In the same skillet, toast the cloves, cinnamon stick, and anise and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add to the blender.
- Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chile peppers. Heat 4 tablespoons canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chiles and fry until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with hot water and set aside to soak until pliable, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the raisins, almonds, pumpkin seeds and tortilla pieces to the oil in the skillet and cook, stirring, until the seeds and tortillas are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add to the blender along with the oil from the skillet. Add the softened chiles and puree, pouring in 2 to 3 cups of the soaking liquid to make a thick, smooth sauce.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chile sauce and fry, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 4 cups of the reserved chicken cooking liquid and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 20 minutes. Add the chocolate and simmer, stirring frequently, until the chocolate melts and the sauce reduces, about 20 more minutes. Add the sugar and season with salt.
- Add the chicken pieces to the sauce and warm through over low heat. Garnish with the reserved sesame seeds.
- Photgraph by Con Poulos
CHICKEN MOLE
In a world where chipotle is almost a supermarket staple, it's fair to say that authentic Mexican food has gone mainstream. And we couldn't be happier: We love the complex layering of flavors in real Mexican cooking. Mole, the signature sauce of Mexico.
Provided by Jeanne Thiel Kelley
Categories Chicken Chocolate Sauté Low Cal High Fiber Cinco de Mayo Dinner Almond Healthy Potluck Tortillas Simmer Chile Pepper Bon Appétit Soy Free
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add chicken to pot; sauté until lightly browned, adding more oil by tablespoonfuls as needed, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to large bowl.
- Return chicken and any juices to pot. Add broth and orange juice; bring just to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until chicken is tender and just cooked through, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown, about 18 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add almonds, garlic, cumin, and coriander. Sautéuntil nuts and garlic begin to color, about 2 minutes. Add chiles and stir until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes.
- Using tongs, transfer chicken to large bowl. Pour chicken cooking liquid into saucepan with onion mixture (reserve pot). Add raisins, orange peel, and oregano to saucepan. Cover and simmer until chiles are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat; add chocolate. Let stand until chocolate melts and sauce mixture cools slightly, about 15 minutes.
- Working in small batches, transfer sauce mixture to blender and puree until smooth; return to reserved pot. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Coarsely shred chicken and return to sauce; stir to coat. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Chill until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm over low heat before serving.
- Transfer chicken mole to bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with warm tortillas.
EASY CHICKEN MOLE
Provided by Marcela Valladolid
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To make the mole sauce, soak the chiles in 1 1/4 cups water for 15 minutes. Drain well and discard the soaking liquid.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute until translucent, 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender with the chiles, chocolate, chicken broth, peanut butter, sugar, oregano and tostadas and blend until very smooth. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Add the rotisserie chicken pieces and stir to combine.
AUTHENTIC MOLE FROM VERACRUZ MEXICO
My MIL gave me this recipe. She makes this for any special occasion. Its delicious and beats the base you buy in a jar here in the US.
Provided by cervantesbrandi
Categories Poultry
Time 6h30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Place the water, chicken base or cubes and chicken in a stock pot. Bring the water to a boil, turn the heat down to a medium simmer, cover and cook the chicken for 1 hour or until fork tender and the meat shreds easily.
- While the chicken is cooking pour the oil into a large saute pan. Heat the oil on medium heat. Once the oil is hot enough add in all ingredients from the dried chiles to the garlic clove. Fry the ingredients for 1 minute or until fragrant making sure not to burn the chiles.
- Strain the ingredients and discard all of the oil except for 2 tablespoons Place the strained ingredients possibly working in two batches in the blender.
- When the chicken is done, remove the meat from the broth and add in 2 cups of broth into the blender and half of the fried tortilla. Blend on high for 5 minutes.
- Heat the 2 tbsp of reserved oil on medium heat in the large skillet you were using before and pour in the blended mole.
- Then pour the other batch of chile and spices into the blender with the other half of the tortilla and 2 cups of broth and blend on high for 5 minutes.
- Pour the other batch of mole in the saute pan and stir to combine. Place the piloncillo and chocolate in the mole and stir until melted. Taste to adjust for salt.
- Add in the chicken pieces spooning the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes to marry the flavors. Serve with fresh warm corn tortillas and white rice.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1210.1, Fat 88.6, SaturatedFat 20, Cholesterol 246.2, Sodium 361.1, Carbohydrate 42.7, Fiber 9.1, Sugar 12.2, Protein 63.6
AUTHENTIC MOLE SAUCE
Hot chiles and rich chocolate make this authentic mole sauce perfect for topping stewed meats or enchiladas.
Provided by Allrecipes
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Mole Sauce Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Toast guajillo chiles, ancho chiles, and chipotle chiles in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until warm and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the blender with chicken broth.
- Heat 2 cups chicken broth in a saucepan until it begins to simmer, about 5 minutes. Pour broth into a blender.
- Toast dinner roll pieces and tortilla strips in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the blender with chicken broth and chiles
- Allow the chiles and toasted bread and tortillas to soak, fully submerged, in the chicken broth until softened, about 10 minutes. Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Cook tomatoes and tomatillos in a dry skillet on medium-high heat until soft and blackened, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Place tomatoes in the blender with the chile puree.
- Melt lard in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, garlic, peanuts, raisins, cumin seeds, thyme, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice berries; cook and stir until onions are soft and golden, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and other whole spices; add onion mixture to the blender with the chile-tomato mixture and blend until smooth.
- Pour chile puree into a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in chocolate chicken broth, sugar, and salt. Bring mixture to a simmer; stir until chocolate is melted and sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.8 calories, Carbohydrate 74.9 g, Cholesterol 7.1 mg, Fat 23.3 g, Fiber 11.3 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 1372.7 mg, Sugar 42.5 g
CHICKEN MOLE
If you're not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don't be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it's a great one to experiment with. -Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 6h25m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Sprinkle chicken with salt; place in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Place the tomatoes, onion, chiles, almonds, raisins, chocolate, oil, chipotle pepper, garlic, cumin and cinnamon in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Pour over chicken., Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is tender; skim fat. Serve chicken with sauce, and sprinkle with cilantro if desired. , Freeze option: Cool chicken in mole sauce. Freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through slowly in a covered skillet or Dutch oven until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 311 calories, Fat 18g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 86mg cholesterol, Sodium 378mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein.
EASY CHICKEN MOLE
Steps:
- To cook the chicken, combine the chicken, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves in a large heavy pot. Add 12 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl, and let it cool. Cut the chicken into 6 pieces and set aside in the refrigerator.
- Strain the cooking liquid into a large saucepan (discard the vegetables) and boil over high heat until reduced to 3 cups, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat.
- To make the mole sauce, measure out and rewarm (if necessary) 1 1/4 cups of the reduced cooking liquid. Soak the chiles in the liquid for 15 minutes. Drain well, and discard the chile-soaking liquid.
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Transfer the mixture to a blender and add the chiles, 1 1/2 cups reduced cooking liquid, and the peanut butter, tostadas, sugar, and oregano. Blend until very smooth. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir the chocolate into the mole, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cooked chicken pieces and stir until the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Ibarra Chocolate
- Flavored with cinnamon, almonds, and vanilla, Ibarra chocolate is available in Mexican markets and some supermarkets. Mexican chocolate has a much grainier texture than other chocolates. It's used in the preparation of a Mexican hot chocolate drink and certain specialties such as Ancho-Chocolate Braised Short Ribs (page 128). One ounce of semisweet chocolate, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 drop almond extract can be substituted for 1 ounce Mexican chocolate.
CHICKEN MOLE WITH FOUR CHILES
An authentic Mexican dish - chicken slow cooked in a delectable sauce of chiles with a rich, never overpowering, chocolate background. Wonderful served with warm corn tortillas, rice and beans. Plan to have quite a mess to clean up afterward!
Provided by Ty
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Mole Sauce Recipes
Time 3h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Remove the stems, veins and seeds from the chiles (you might want to wear gloves when you do this). Heat the lard in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the chiles, and cook and stir until the chiles are fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn them. Remove the chiles and place them in a large bowl.
- Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove and add to the bowl with the chiles.
- Break the flour and corn tortillas into pieces, and add them to the skillet. Toast on both sides, turning often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove; add to the bowl.
- If needed, melt a small amount of additional lard in the skillet. Add the plantain pieces to the skillet, and cook and stir until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove plantain; add to the bowl.
- Stir the almonds and peanuts into the skillet, and cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and continue cooking until sesame seeds are lightly browned, 15-30 seconds. Remove; add to the bowl.
- Warm the tomatoes over medium heat in the skillet until heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Break the chocolate into chunks and stir into the tomatoes until melted. Pour the chocolate and tomato mixture into the bowl with the chile mixture; stir to combine.
- Working in small batches, puree the mixture in a blender until smooth, adding a small amount of water if needed to make a smooth sauce.
- Place the chicken into a large Dutch oven; pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium low heat until the chicken falls off the bone, 2-3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 536.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Cholesterol 70.1 mg, Fat 31.4 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 31.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 174.5 mg, Sugar 13.5 g
Authentic chicken mole
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Traditional
Category: Poultry, Main course
Appliances: Blender or food processors
Below are the important step-by-step recipe instructions for making the easiest and best-ever traditional chicken mole recipe.
Step 1: Cooking the chicken - Use a medium-size saucepan and fill it with water. - Add chicken breast, salt, and thyme. - Turn the heat to high and when the water starts boiling, turn the heat to low and allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes. - Turn off the heat and take out the chicken breasts. - Let it rest while you shred it. Step 2: Preparing the mole poblano - Use a large saucepan filled with water and add the ancho chilies, guajillo chilies, and a pinch of oregano. - Turn on the heat to medium and let it simmer for 30 minutes or until it softens. - Turn off the heat and let it cool for 5-7 minutes. - Take out the chilies and remove the seeds and the stems. - Put the chilies and the oregano remaining in the saucepan into a blender. - Blend the mixture until it is smooth. - Add the broth and continue blending until it is fully blended. Step 3: Combining the mole poblano and chicken - Use a large saucepan and put the mole poblano. - Cook the mole poblano for 10-15 minutes or until it has thickened. - Add the water, chocolate, sugar, and peanut butter. - Stir until everything is mixed well. - Add the chicken strips and continue stirring until it is evenly coated with the mole poblano. - Serve it over rice.Conclusion
The combination of flavors in this mole is truly unique, and it will leave you craving for more. - The chicken is moist and succulent, perfectly complemented by the rich, creamy, and nutty mole.
You're sure to impress your dinner guests with this delicious and flavorful dish. - Feel free to adjust the heat level of the dish by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder that you add. - Serve the mole with your favorite sides such as rice, and enjoy the beautiful meal.
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