Quick Chicken Mole
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon
A traditional Mexican mole sauce takes hours, but we tinkered with it and came up with a version that achieves similarly deep flavors in a fraction of the time.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Heat a grill to high (450° to 550°). Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in spices, sesame seeds, and almonds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato purée, broth, and chocolate chips.
Step 2
2
Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until flavors develop and sauce thickens and darkens slightly, about 10 minutes. Purée in a blender with 1/2 cup water until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Step 3
3
Pour 1 cup mole sauce over chicken in a medium bowl and toss to coat.
Step 4
4
Grill chicken, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Set chicken on a serving plate and sprinkle with minced chile and cilantro leaves. Serve with remaining mole sauce and lime wedges.
Step 5
5
*Fruity, mild New Mexico chile powder is available at well-stocked grocery stores and Latino markets, but if you can't find it, you can leave it out and still have a flavorful dish.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium garlic clove, chopped
1 teaspoon New Mexico chile powder* (optional)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon anise seeds
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1/2 cup tomato purée
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
2 pounds boned, skinned chicken thighs
1/2 to 1 serrano chile, minced
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
Lime wedges
Directions
Step 1
1
Heat a grill to high (450° to 550°). Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in spices, sesame seeds, and almonds and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tomato purée, broth, and chocolate chips.
Step 2
2
Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until flavors develop and sauce thickens and darkens slightly, about 10 minutes. Purée in a blender with 1/2 cup water until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Step 3
3
Pour 1 cup mole sauce over chicken in a medium bowl and toss to coat.
Step 4
4
Grill chicken, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Set chicken on a serving plate and sprinkle with minced chile and cilantro leaves. Serve with remaining mole sauce and lime wedges.
Step 5
5
*Fruity, mild New Mexico chile powder is available at well-stocked grocery stores and Latino markets, but if you can't find it, you can leave it out and still have a flavorful dish.
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