Description
Enjoy the rich, deep flavors of mole in a fraction of the time with this Chicken with Mock Mole Sauce! A velvety, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce made with peanut butter, cocoa powder, chipotle, and warm spices pairs beautifully with tender chicken. This simplified version is perfect for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or 4 large chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Mock Mole Sauce:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small corn tortilla, torn into pieces (or 3 tbsp breadcrumbs)
For Garnish & Serving:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
- Cooked rice, tortillas, or roasted vegetables
Instructions
-
Brown the Chicken
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
-
-
Sauté the Aromatics
-
In the same pan, cook onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
-
-
Build the Sauce
-
Stir in diced tomatoes, peanut butter, cocoa powder, chipotle, cinnamon, cumin, honey, and chicken broth.
-
Add the torn corn tortilla (or breadcrumbs) to help thicken the sauce.
-
-
Simmer & Blend
-
Return chicken to the pan, cover, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens.
-
For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer sauce to a blender in batches.
-
-
Serve & Enjoy
-
Garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime.
-
Serve over rice, warm tortillas, or roasted vegetables.
-
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add an extra ½ chipotle pepper or a pinch of cayenne.
- For deeper flavor, toast the cumin and cinnamon before adding them to the sauce.
- For extra richness, add a teaspoon of espresso powder.
- Make it ahead—the sauce tastes even better the next day!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 95mg