Grandma Elenas Effortless Chicken Mole
Grandma Elena's Effortless Chicken Mole Recipe (No-Fuss Recipe!)
Fancy a bit of Mexican magic in your kitchen? Ever wondered about making chicken mole ? This recipe is for you! It brings authentic flavours without the fuss.
Honestly, it's easier than you think!
What's the Deal With Mole?
Mole poblano is a rich, complex sauce from Mexico. It is steeped in history and culture. Our chicken mole recipe is simple.
It takes about 2 hours and feeds 6 people. Think of it as a hug in a bowl!
Why You'll Love This Chicken Mole
This recipe is packed with flavour. It is also easier than most authentic mole recipes . The chocolate mole sauce adds depth.
Make it for a special occasion or a cosy night in. It is guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients for Magic Chicken Mole
Ready to cook some flavour? The ingredients might seem like a lot. But don't worry, it's all straightforward. First, you need 6 chicken thighs.
We need some dried chillis and some chocolate! For the spices we need cinnamon, cumin and cloves. You'll also need onions, garlic, tomatoes, almonds, raisins, and chicken broth.
Get all of that together and we can begin cooking! Let's go!
Cooking Up a Treat: Easy Chicken Mole Steps
First, brown your chicken thighs. This locks in the flavour. Next, bloom the chillis. This releases their smoky goodness. Now, simmer everything together.
Finally, blend into a smooth homemade mole sauce . Return the chicken to the sauce. Simmer until cooked through. Ta-da!
Serving Your Delicious Chicken Mole with Rice
Serve your chicken mole hot with rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and coriander. Pair it with a cold Mexican beer.
It's the perfect end to a flavourful journey. This Oaxacan mole recipe is a winner. You will definitely want to make chicken mole thighs again.
Pro Tips for Next Level Mole Sauce From Scratch
Don't burn the chillis! Toast spices for extra flavour. Taste and adjust the seasoning as you go. Also, use high-quality chocolate! You know? This makes all the difference.
Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!
Ready to make some amazing chicken mole ? Awesome! First, we need to gather our bits and bobs. Honestly, the ingredient list might look a bit long, but don't panic! Think of it as a flavour adventure.
The secret to the authentic mole recipe is the mix of spices and the chiles.
Main Ingredients for this Chicken Mole Recipe
- Chicken Thighs: 6 bone-in, skin-on (about 900g/2 lbs ). Quality chicken makes all the difference. Look for plump thighs with good colour. I usually go for free range when I can!
- Olive Oil: 1 tbsp ( 15 ml ).
- Salt: 1 tsp ( 5g ).
- Black Pepper: ½ tsp ( 2.5g ).
For the mole sauce from scratch:
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tbsp ( 30 ml ).
- Onion: 1 large, chopped (about 150g/5.3oz ).
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced (about 12g/0.42oz ).
- Dried Ancho Chiles: 2 , stemmed and seeded. These give that rich, fruity flavour.
- Dried Pasilla Chiles: 2 , stemmed and seeded. These add a bit of heat and depth.
- Dried Guajillo Chiles: 2 , stemmed and seeded. These bring a lovely red colour to the sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes: 1 can ( 28 ounce/794g ).
- Blanched Almonds: ¼ cup ( 30g ).
- Raisins: ¼ cup ( 25g ).
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 2 tbsp ( 14g ).
- Mexican Oregano: 1 tbsp ( 6g ). This is different from regular oregano, but you can sub if needed!
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 tsp ( 5g ).
- Ground Cumin: ½ tsp ( 2.5g ).
- Ground Cloves: ¼ tsp ( 1.25g ).
- Mexican Chocolate: 1 ounce ( 28g ), roughly chopped. Ibarra or Abuelita are great. You can find it in most ethnic shops.
- Chicken Broth: 2 cups ( 475 ml ).
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbsp ( 15 ml ).
- Salt: 1 tsp ( 5g ), or to taste.
- Black Pepper: ½ tsp ( 2.5g ), or to taste.
- Optional: 1-2 squares of dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), for a deeper flavour in the chocolate mole sauce .
Seasoning Notes
Essential spices are Mexican oregano, cinnamon, cumin, and cloves. Together, they create that warm, comforting base.
Equipment Needed
You'll need a large Dutch oven, or any large pot. A blender or food processor is a must for that smooth sauce.
Tongs, measuring cups, a cutting board, and a chef's knife are essential. Don't have a Dutch oven? A large, heavy bottomed pot will do the trick! Honestly, the most important thing is the blender.
You need that homemade mole sauce to be velvety smooth!. This easy chicken mole recipe is not too hard and tastes delicious!.
Grandma Elena's Effortless Chicken Mole
Fancy a taste of Mexico? Let's dive into this chicken mole recipe . This ain’t your average midweek meal. We are talking about chicken mole , a dish that’s bursting with flavour.
It is a real hug in a bowl. Seriously, this easy chicken mole is gonna knock your socks off. This authentic mole recipe is proper delicious, promise.
Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row
Essential mise en place is just a fancy way of saying get organised! First, chop one large onion, mince four cloves of garlic.
Then, measure out all your spices. Next, get your chicken thighs ready. This sets the scene for pure cooking bliss.
Time saving organization tips : Honestly, measure out all spices into one bowl beforehand. It saves you faffing about later. Trust me.
Let's Get Cooking: step-by-step
- Season six chicken mole thighs with salt and pepper.
- Sear them in one tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven until golden. Then, set aside.
- Bloom the chiles for 1- 2 minutes in the same pot.
- Add onion and garlic, sauté for 5 minutes .
- Chuck in everything else: crushed tomatoes, almonds, raisins, cocoa, spices, and Mexican chocolate .
- Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth . Simmer for 15 minutes .
- Blend it all until smooth. Be careful, hot liquids are treacherous.
- Nestle the chicken back in, and simmer for 1 hour . You want a core temp of 165° F/ 74° C .
Pro Tips for a Stellar Chicken Mole
Want to take your chicken mole with rice to the next level? Here are my secrets. Toasting the spices beforehand ramps up the flavour like you wouldn't believe. Trust me on this.
Common mistake? Burning the chiles. They turn bitter, and it ruins the whole dish.
If you are feeling extra fancy, add 1-2 squares of dark chocolate . It adds a depth of flavour that's just chef's kiss .
You can also make mole sauce from scratch a day ahead. The flavour gets even better overnight! The dish is a mole poblano , or if you are feeling more adventerous, you can try an Oaxacan mole recipe .
You can use this tasty homemade mole sauce in other dishes as well. What you get is an amazing chocolate mole sauce
Seriously, this chicken mole recipe is a winner. Get stuck in, have some fun, and enjoy.
Recipe Notes for Grandma Elena's Effortless Chicken Mole
So, you're ready to tackle this chicken mole recipe ? Ace! Here are a few extra bits of wisdom I've picked up along the way.
Trust me, they'll help you nail this dish. I used to be proper terrified of mole poblano, but now I'm all about it!
Plating Like a Pro & Perfect Pairings
Alright, picture this: You've slaved away, making this authentic mole recipe . Now you want it to look as good as it tastes.
Pop the chicken mole thighs on a bed of fluffy rice. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nutty crunch and looks great.
Some chopped cilantro brightens everything up. For drinks? I reckon a cold Mexican lager or a homemade lemonade would be the bee's knees! Honestly, even just chicken mole with rice is smashing.
Storing Your Liquid Gold
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This homemade mole sauce is even better the next day. Once the chicken mole has cooled, bung it in an airtight container.
It'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Want to freeze it? Go for it! The mole sauce from scratch freezes well for up to 3 months.
Just defrost it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob. Make sure the chicken mole recipe is piping hot (74° C/ 165° F ) before serving!
Switching Things Up
Fancy a change? No sweat! If you're trying to cut down on the dairy, use dairy-free chocolate. For a veggie version, swap the chicken for chunks of butternut squash.
The nutty sweetness works wonders with the chocolate mole sauce . You could even try different chillies for a milder or spicier kick in your chicken mole recipe .
If you want to experience the real flavor of Oaxacan mole recipe , use fresh ingredients!
Quick Nutrition Lowdown
Each serving of this easy chicken mole is roughly 550 calories. You are getting a decent 40g of protein, coming from the chicken! There are around 30g of carbs.
But don't freak out about the 35g of fat. Most of it's coming from healthy nuts and oils. Plus, the chiles are packed with vitamins! Just remember, these are estimates!
Honestly, making chicken mole might seem a bit daunting at first, but it's proper rewarding. Don't be scared to experiment, and most importantly, have fun! You got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Crikey! Mole sauce sounds complicated. Is this chicken mole recipe really doable for a home cook?
Absolutely! While authentic mole can be a bit of a faff, this recipe streamlines the process with clever shortcuts. We're talking "Bake Off" achievable the ingredient list might look a bit long, but the steps are straightforward. Just take your time, and you'll be chuffed with the results!
Can I adjust the spice level of this chicken mole recipe? I'm not looking to breathe fire!
Too right, you can! Mole's all about flavour, not just heat. Reduce the number of dried chiles, or remove the seeds completely for a milder dish. You could also substitute some of the dried chiles with a touch of mild chile powder. Remember to taste as you go, and adjust the spice level to your liking.
I'm veggie! Can I still enjoy the amazingness that is mole? Can I make this a vegetarian dish instead of chicken mole?
You bet your sweet bippy you can! Simply swap out the chicken for some firm tofu (pressed to remove excess water and pan-fried) or roasted vegetables like butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Also, be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it entirely plant based. It will be champion!
What's the best way to store leftover chicken mole? Will it keep 'til next Tuesday's dinner?
Leftover chicken mole is even better the next day as the flavours meld together even more! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to cool it down completely before freezing, and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Is there any way I can get away without using dried chiles? They're hard to come by here in Leeds.
Finding the right chillies can be a right pain, eh? If you can't lay your hands on dried ancho, pasilla, and guajillo chiles, a blend of ancho chile powder, chipotle powder, and paprika can work in a pinch. Remember the flavour won't be exactly the same, but it'll still be a delicious mole sauce.
Don't be shy with the smoked paprika to get that deeper flavour profile!
Any tips to make my chicken mole taste even more amazing?
Oh, you're after the secret sauce, are you? Don't rush the simmering process; that's key for the flavours to get to know each other. Toasting the spices beforehand really wakes them up. For a deeper, richer flavour, a few squares of dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) added at the end can do wonders.
It's all about layering those flavours, darling!
Grandma Elenas Effortless Chicken Mole
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 550 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 35g |
| Fiber | 5g |
