Sizzling Chicken with Mock Mole Sauce Recipe: Zesty Magic

My kitchen experiments with a delightful chicken with mock mole sauce always spark unexpected culinary adventures.

Mexican traditions inspire this complex yet approachable dish that blends rich chocolate undertones with subtle spice notes.

Unexpected ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that challenge typical dinner routines.

Each carefully selected component contributes its unique character to the final masterpiece.

Bold spices whisper stories of regional cooking techniques passed through generations.

Chocolate’s deep complexity mingles with earthy chili undertones, promising a memorable meal.

You’ll want to savor every nuanced bite of this extraordinary recipe.

Mock Mole Chicken That Surprises With Rich Flavor

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious chicken mole in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality flavors.
• Simplify Complexity: Transform intimidating mole sauce into an easy, approachable recipe using common pantry ingredients like peanut butter and cocoa powder.
• Flavor Explosion: Discover a magical blend of sweet, spicy, and savory notes that dance together in this unexpected sauce, creating a memorable dining experience.
• Versatile Comfort: Enjoy this one-pan meal that works equally well for casual family dinners or impressive dinner parties, pleasing both kids and sophisticated palates.

Classic Mole Chicken – Simplified List

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, boneless and skinless recommended for easy cooking.

• Olive Oil, Peanut Butter: Essential for creating rich flavor and smooth sauce texture, high-quality oils preferred.

• Diced Tomatoes, Chicken Broth: Provide liquid foundation and depth of flavor, canned tomatoes work well.

• Cocoa Powder, Chipotle, Honey: Create complex sweet and spicy mole-style profile, unsweetened cocoa recommended.

• Onion, Garlic: Build foundational savory notes, fresh ingredients preferred.

• Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cumin: Add warmth and complexity to the sauce, ground spices work best.

• Corn Tortilla, Breadcrumbs: Help create sauce consistency, stale tortillas or plain breadcrumbs acceptable.

Chicken Mole-Inspired Sauce Cooking Directions

Step 1: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear each side for 3-4 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown color develops.

Transfer the chicken to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Wake Up the Aromatics

Using the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic until they become soft and release their tantalizing fragrance, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Craft the Magical Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Peanut butter
• Cocoa powder
• Chipotle
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Honey
• Chicken broth

Tear the corn tortilla (or breadcrumbs) and mix into the sauce to help create a rich, velvety texture.

Step 4: Marry the Flavors

Gently return the chicken to the pan, cover, and let everything simmer for 25-30 minutes.

The chicken will become perfectly cooked, and the sauce will transform into a luxurious, thick consistency.

For an ultra-smooth sauce, use an immersion blender or carefully transfer the sauce to a blender and process in batches.

Sauce Prep Tips for Mock Mole Chicken

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust and lock in juicy flavors.
• Add tortilla or breadcrumbs gradually to adjust sauce consistency without making it too dense.
• Use an immersion blender directly in the pan for easier cleanup and a velvety sauce without transferring hot liquid.
• Adjust honey and cocoa powder to control sweetness and depth, creating a harmonious mole-inspired sauce.
• Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian version, maintaining the rich, complex sauce profile.

Mock Mole Chicken Storage Tips

• Store leftover chicken with mock mole sauce in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the chicken is cooled completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The dish maintains best quality for 2-3 months when frozen. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Warm chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Sauces and Sides for Mock Mole Chicken

Savor Mexican Pairing Magic: Create a Flavor Symphony

• Pair with Crisp Margarita: Balance the rich, complex mole sauce with a zesty lime margarita that cuts through the deep, chocolatey flavors and refreshes the palate.
• Serve with Mexican Street Corn: Grilled corn topped with cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime complements the chicken's smoky, spicy undertones while adding textural contrast.
• Match with Black Bean Rice: Creamy black beans and fluffy rice provide a neutral, earthy backdrop that allows the mole's intricate spices to shine without overwhelming the dish.
• Select Negra Modelo Beer: This dark Mexican lager offers caramel and roasted notes that harmonize beautifully with the cocoa and chipotle elements in the sauce.

Mock Mole Chicken Flavor Spins

• Vegetarian Mole Option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using same seasoning and cooking technique for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap corn tortilla with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to maintain sauce thickness while eliminating wheat products.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth, omit added salt, and select low-sodium peanut butter to decrease overall sodium content while preserving rich flavor profile.
• Spice-Adjusted Rendition: Reduce chipotle quantity for mild palates or increase for more intense heat, allowing customization based on individual spice preferences.

FAQs

• What does mole sauce traditionally include?

Traditional Mexican mole sauce typically contains multiple ingredients like chili peppers, nuts, seeds, spices, and often chocolate, creating a complex and rich flavor profile.

• Can I substitute peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can replace peanut butter with almond butter or tahini for similar richness and texture, though the flavor profile will slightly change.

• Why add corn tortilla to the sauce?

The corn tortilla acts as a natural thickener and adds depth to the sauce, helping to create a more authentic mole-like consistency without using flour or cornstarch.

• Is this recipe considered authentic mole?

This is a simplified “mock” mole sauce that captures some traditional flavors but isn’t a classic, time-intensive mole preparation. It’s a quicker, home-friendly version that still delivers complex taste notes.

Chicken with Mock Mole Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory chicken with mock mole sauce brings Mexican culinary magic straight to your kitchen, blending rich chocolate undertones with complex spices. Delightful flavors dance across your palate, promising a memorable meal that connects home cooks with authentic South American cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or 4 large chicken breasts

Sauce Base Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14 ounces/400 grams) can diced tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 12 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (adjust to taste)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 small corn tortilla, torn into pieces (or 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs)

Garnish and Serving:

• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Lime wedges
• Cooked rice, tortillas, or roasted vegetables

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious skillet with olive oil, heating it to a medium-high temperature for optimal chicken searing.
2. Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then place them in the hot pan to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior by cooking 3-4 minutes on each side.
3. Transfer the seared chicken to a temporary plate, maintaining its crisp surface.
4. Utilize the same skillet to soften onions and garlic, creating a fragrant base for the sauce by cooking them until translucent and aromatic.
5. Introduce a complex blend of ingredients including diced tomatoes, creamy peanut butter, rich cocoa powder, smoky chipotle, warm cinnamon, earthy cumin, sweet honey, and savory chicken broth into the pan.
6. Incorporate torn corn tortilla or breadcrumbs to provide additional texture and help thicken the developing sauce.
7. Gently return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the sauce.
8. Cover and allow the dish to simmer, letting the flavors meld and the chicken cook thoroughly for approximately 25-30 minutes.
9. For a velvety smooth consistency, use an immersion blender directly in the pan or carefully transfer the sauce to a standard blender, processing until desired texture is achieved.

Notes

• Perfectly sear chicken by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding meat, creating a golden-brown crust that locks in juicy flavor.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and tender results every time.
• Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for nut-free diets, maintaining the sauce’s creamy texture and rich complexity.
• Adjust spice levels by controlling chipotle amount, making the dish mild or fiery according to personal heat preference.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg