Pollo Mole Poblano

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Unleash the rich, complex flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine with Pollo Mole Poblano, a culinary masterpiece that combines tender bone-in chicken thighs with a velvety, spiced mole sauce. This beloved dish hails from Puebla, featuring an enticing blend of dried ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chilies, roasted seeds, charred tomatoes, and a hint of Mexican chocolate for a touch of sweetness. The mole sauce is painstakingly prepared, blending earthy spices like cinnamon and cloves with toasted tortillas for depth, creating a balance of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Simmered with seared chicken until perfectly tender, this iconic dish is best served with fluffy rice and garnished with sesame seeds for an authentic, crowd-pleasing experience. Perfect for family dinners or festive occasions, Pollo Mole Poblano celebrates the artistry of Mexican cooking.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: N/A
• Total Time: 20 min
• Servings: 4 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

19 items

• 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 3 pieces dried ancho chilies
• 3 pieces dried guajillo chilies
• 2 pieces dried pasilla chilies
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 2 pieces corn tortillas
• 3 pieces roma tomatoes
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 4 pieces garlic cloves (peeled)
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 ounces Mexican chocolate
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 piece bay leaf

📝 Instructions

12 steps

1. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Toast the dried ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chilies for about 1-2 minutes per side until fragrant but not burnt. Remove them from the skillet and let them cool slightly.

2. Remove the stems and seeds from the toasted chilies. Soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes until softened.

3. In the same skillet, toast the sesame seeds, almonds, and pumpkin seeds until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.

4. Tear the corn tortillas into small pieces and toast them in the skillet until they are lightly browned. Set aside.

5. Roast the roma tomatoes over direct flame (or broil in the oven) until the skin is charred. Peel off the skin and set the tomatoes aside.

6. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic cloves, and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

7. Transfer the soaked chilies, toasted seeds, almonds, tortillas, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and sugar into a blender. Blend, gradually adding 2 cups of chicken stock, until smooth.

8. Return the mixture to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Add the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock, Mexican chocolate, and the bay leaf. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt to taste.

10. While the mole sauce cooks, season the chicken thighs with salt. In a separate skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total.

11. Transfer the seared chicken into the pot with the mole sauce. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

12. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Serve the Pollo Mole Poblano with rice and garnish with additional sesame seeds, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (652.6g)

Calories		677
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		43.1 g	55%
	Saturated Fat	9.1 g	46%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	7.2 g
Cholesterol		102 mg	34%
Sodium		704 mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate		41.1 g	15%
	Dietary Fiber	9.8 g	35%
	Total Sugars	18.3 g
Protein		39.2 g	78%
Vitamin D		0.0 mcg	0%
Calcium		109 mg	8%
Iron		5.2 mg	29%
Potassium		888 mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1546 cal (54.7%%)

Protein: 625 cal (22.1%%)

Carbs: 653 cal (23.1%%)