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–+ servings
chicken legs in mole sauce with a blue spoon
Kate Ramos

Quick Chicken Mole With Premade Mole Sauce

When you’re craving something bold, comforting, and totally satisfying, this chicken mole recipe with premade mole sauce is about to become your new instant favorite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 516
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Method
 

  1. Pat 2 pounds of chicken thighs, drumsticks or breasts (or a combination) dry and season with 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Heat 3 tablespoons avocado oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side (you may need to do this in batches). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, add 1 chopped white onion and 1 minced garlic clove to the fat leftover from the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until softened and starting to get golden.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in 1/2 cup mole poblano paste, 3 cups chicken broth, and 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Stir until mole paste and peanut butter until they are completely incorporated.
  5. Return chicken to the pot, cover, and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for crunch. Serve warm with corn or flour tortillas, rice, and a wedge of lime.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 33gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 485mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1g

Notes

    1. Smooth Sauce Tip: If you prefer a silky, restaurant-style mole sauce, blend the finished sauce in a blender before adding the chicken back into the sauce. The onions and garlic give the sauce a chunkier texture, so blending will make it ultra-smooth.
    2. Make Ahead: The flavors deepen as the mole sits. Make the sauce a day ahead and reheat gently for even more deliciousness.
    3. Chicken Choices: Thighs and drumsticks add the most flavor and stay juicy, but you can use any combination of chicken pieces you like.
    4. Nut Allergy Note: The peanut butter adds creaminess and depth, but you can substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter if needed. Check the mole paste ingredients for nuts as well.

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