Gluten-Free Traditional Chicken Mole

Delight in the rich, complex flavors of Mexico with this Gluten-Free Traditional Chicken Mole recipe, a perfect blend of smoky, savory, and sweet. Tender chicken is simmered to perfection in a velvety mole sauce crafted from toasted ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles, aromatic spices, and a touch of dark chocolate for a deep, luxurious finish. Gluten-free ingredients like corn tortillas and broth ensure this iconic dish is accessible to all, while toasted almonds and sesame seeds add layers of nutty flavor. With its balance of bold spices and subtle sweetness from honey and cocoa, this hearty mole is an unforgettable addition to your dinner table. Serve with rice or warm gluten-free tortillas for a show-stopping meal that’s perfect for special occasions or indulgent weeknight dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:150 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 3 pieces Dried ancho chiles
• 3 pieces Dried guajillo chiles
• 2 pieces Dried pasilla chiles
• 1 medium White onion, sliced
• 4 pieces Garlic cloves
• 1 cup Peeled and diced tomato
• 4 cups Chicken broth (gluten-free)
• 1 cup Almonds (toasted)
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds (toasted)
• 1 piece Gluten-free corn tortilla, torn into pieces
• 2 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 3 ounces Dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao, gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tablespoon Lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of salt and the ground black pepper. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Toast the dried ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles for about 30 seconds per side, or until fragrant but not burnt. Remove the chiles and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pan, sauté the sliced onion and whole garlic cloves until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the diced tomato and cook until slightly reduced and softened, about 3 minutes. Remove the mixture and set aside.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, soak the toasted chiles in 2 cups of hot chicken broth for 10 minutes until softened.

Step 7

Transfer the soaked chiles, their soaking liquid, onion-garlic-tomato mixture, almonds, toasted sesame seeds, torn tortilla, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and cumin to a blender. Blend until smooth, adding more chicken broth as needed to achieve a thick sauce consistency.

Step 8

Strain the mole sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids, if desired, for a smoother texture.

Step 9

Return the sauce to the pan over low heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate until melted and fully incorporated. Add the honey and lime juice, and season with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste).

Step 10

Return the browned chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Add the remaining chicken broth (about 2 cups), ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged in the mole.

Step 11

Simmer the chicken in the mole sauce, covered, over low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 12

Serve the chicken mole with a generous ladle of sauce, garnished with extra sesame seeds if desired. Pair with rice or gluten-free tortillas for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2391.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3339.3

Total Fat 222.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 52.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 534mg	0%
Sodium 8758.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 181.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 53.9g	0%
Total Sugars 58.1g
Protein 177.4g	0%

Vitamin D 42IU	0%
Calcium 804.4mg	0%
Iron 32.1mg	0%
Potassium 5488.7mg	0%

*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: 58.3%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 21.1%