Sugar-Free Traditional Chicken Mole

Elevate your culinary repertoire with this Sugar-Free Traditional Chicken Mole, a rich and complex dish that celebrates the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine—without added sugar. This recipe brings together tender, bone-in chicken thighs simmered in a velvety sauce crafted from toasted ancho and guajillo chiles, unsweetened cocoa, natural peanut butter, and a medley of warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. Sweetness comes naturally from unsweetened pitted prunes, balancing the bold, smoky, and nutty flavors of the mole. A slow-simmering process ensures the sauce thickens to perfection, enveloping the chicken in its irresistible depth. Serve this hearty, sugar-free mole over rice, warm tortillas, or roasted vegetables, and garnish with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds for a vibrant finish. This healthy and satisfying twist on a traditional favorite is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion (diced)
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 3 pieces Dried ancho chiles (seeded and stemmed)
• 3 pieces Dried guajillo chiles (seeded and stemmed)
• 2 tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons Natural peanut butter (sugar-free)
• 1 quarter cup Blanched almonds (toasted)
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds (toasted)
• 1 14-ounce can Tomatoes (canned, whole, unsalted)
• 3 cups Chicken stock (low-sodium)
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 2 pieces Cloves (whole)
• 2 pieces Bay leaves
• 3 pieces Pitted prunes (unsweetened)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 handful Cilantro (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with a teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper, then sear them on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3

Meanwhile, toast the dried ancho and guajillo chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes per side. Be careful not to burn them. Transfer the toasted chiles to a heatproof bowl and cover with hot water to soak for 10 minutes.

Step 4

After soaking, drain the chiles and add them to a blender. To the blender, add the sautéed onion and garlic, unsweetened cocoa powder, natural peanut butter, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, canned tomatoes (with juices), pitted prunes, and 1 cup of chicken stock. Blend on high until smooth.

Step 5

Return the skillet to medium heat. Pour the mole sauce from the blender into the skillet and cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 6

Add the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, bay leaves, and the seared chicken thighs into the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 7

Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let the mole simmer gently for 1 hour, occasionally stirring to ensure the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom.

Step 8

After 1 hour, check the chicken for tenderness—it should be cooked through and almost falling off the bone. Remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves from the sauce.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Step 10

Serve the chicken mole over warm tortillas, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and traditional meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2515.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3610.4

Total Fat 263.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 729mg	0%
Sodium 5953.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.9g	0%
Total Sugars 44.5g
Protein 216.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 805.4mg	0%
Iron 25.1mg	0%
Potassium 5421.0mg	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: 62.5%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 14.6%