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Chicken in Mole Sauce

Chicken Sauce recipe image
This traditional Mexican dish features tender chicken thighs simmered in a complex, velvety mole sauce. The sauce blends rehydrated pasilla and mulato chilies with toasted spices, nuts, raisins, and Mexican chocolate for a balance of earthy heat and subtle sweetness. It is an ideal choice for festive gatherings or special dinners, offering a luxurious and authentic dining experience.
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4
Calories: 1395
Description
This traditional Mexican dish features tender chicken thighs simmered in a complex, velvety mole sauce. The sauce blends rehydrated pasilla and mulato chilies with toasted spices, nuts, raisins, and Mexican chocolate for a balance of earthy heat and subtle sweetness. It is an ideal choice for festive gatherings or special dinners, offering a luxurious and authentic dining experience.
Ingredients
  • Dried pasilla chilies
  • Dried mulato chilies
  • Boiling water
  • Sesame seeds
  • Cloves
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Whole coriander seed
  • Whole anise seed
  • Lard or oil
  • Whole unblanched almonds
  • Raisins
  • Chicken legs, thighs attached (about 3 lbs)
  • Salt
  • Garlic
  • Chopped white onion
  • Tomato paste
  • Mexican chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • Chicken stock
  • Tomato wedges, for garnish
  • Fresh coriander sprigs, for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
  1. 1
    Toast the dried pasilla and mulato chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, then remove stems, seeds, and veins.
  2. 2
    Place the cleaned chilies in a medium bowl, cover with boiling water, and let stand for 1 hour to rehydrate.
  3. 3
    In a separate dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. 4
    In the same skillet, toast the cloves, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, and anise seeds over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 20-30 seconds. Remove and set aside.
  5. 5
    Heat lard or oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain.
  6. 6
    In the same skillet, add the raisins and cook, stirring, until puffed, about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  7. 7
    Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt. Cook in the remaining lard over medium heat until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  8. 8
    Remove all but 2 tablespoons of lard from the skillet.
  9. 9
    Process the soaked chilies, 1/3 cup of the soaking liquid, and tomato paste in a blender until smooth.
  10. 10
    In a spice grinder or blender, pulse the toasted sesame seeds into a fine powder.
  11. 11
    Finely grind the toasted almonds and raisins in a blender or food processor.
  12. 12
    Blend the chopped onion and garlic until fine.
  13. 13
    Combine the chili puree, ground almonds, raisins, onion, garlic, sesame powder, and toasted spices in a blender. Process until smooth, adding more soaking water 1 teaspoon at a time if needed to help the blades move.
  14. 14
    Heat the remaining lard in the skillet over medium heat. Pour in the chili mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
  15. 15
    Add the Mexican chocolate and cook, stirring, until melted, about 2 minutes.
  16. 16
    Gradually stir in the chicken stock and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
  17. 17
    Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over it. Cover and simmer over low heat, turning occasionally, until chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.
  18. 18
    Place chicken on a serving platter, top with sauce and remaining sesame seeds. Garnish with tomato wedges and fresh coriander.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1395kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 81g125%
Saturated Fat 24g120%
Cholesterol 254mg85%
Sodium 1504mg63%
Total Carbohydrate 75g25%
Dietary Fiber 26g104%
Sugars 31g
Protein 92g184%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: mole, chicken, mexican, pasilla, mulato, chocolate, chili, simmered, thighs, nuts, raisins, sesame, almonds, festive, dinner, comfort food, spicy, traditional, aromatic, complex
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/chicken-sauce-25/