A deliciously rich Slow Cooker Chicken Mole, simplified so you can enjoy it at home more often! The original method and ingredient list for this classic Mexican dish are lengthy. While not a traditional version, this easy chicken mole still has a melding of spicy chili, chocolate, and cinnamon, and will be a hit with your family.
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An Easy Chicken Mole Recipe
If you’re a Mexican food fan, no doubt you’ve tried what’s possibly Mexico’s most revered dish – Mole.
It’s a dish that is made differently depending on who you talk to and what region of the country you are in.
Despite the many variations, they all have two things in common:
- They require a laundry list of ingredients, included toasted seeds, chilis, chocolate, and spices.
- The process is complicated, and can take anywhere from hours to days.
If you love the flavors of mole, but want a simplified version to enjoy at home, I’ve nailed the perfect recipe for that.
This one uses the same flavors, but in easier-to-use ingredients (chili powder rather than whole chilis, cocoa powder rather than hard-to-find Mexican chocolate, and SunButter Sunflower Seed Butter rather that toasted and blended seeds and nuts).
Ingredients in this Chicken Mole Recipe
- Chicken breasts. We also tested this with bone-in chicken thighs (in the crockpot). I browned them first in some avocado oil, then covered them with the mole sauce — really good also!).
- Onions & garlic Рand if you love it spicy like we do, jalape̱o
- Chili powder, cumin, & cinnamon
- Chicken broth
- Organic SunButter Sunflower Seed Butter (this is a super simple way to add the “nutty” flavor in a traditional mole! Plus, it’s allergy friendly, since many traditional recipes call for peanuts.)
- Tomato paste
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
- Arrowroot, mixed with water, to yeild a thicker sauce. If you don’t have this on hand, cornstarch is a good substitute.
- Cilantro, lime, and diced onions to top. We also love creamy avocados and cauliflower rice to serve.
Using these more accessible ingredients in your sauce means you probably won’t have to go to a speciality store to have everything you need, AND, you really don’t need to blend the sauce. If you’d like a super smooth sauce, definitely do it — it won’t affect the incredible flavors if you choose to keep your blender clean!
I adore using SunButter Sunflower Seed Butter in dishes that traditionally use tree nuts or peanuts. I suffer from a peanut allergy, so believe it or not, I have never experienced Chicken Mole at a restaurant!
SunButter is an incredible alternative that not only tastes amazing, but makes safer dishes for the growing number of allergy sufferers!
Head on over to the SunButter website to see the range of products they sell. I love the Organic and No Sugar Added varieties for cooking, but buy the Crunchy version to eat off a spoon or use with desserts (it’s THAT good!).
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Mole
No need to be a professional chef or Mexican grandma to enjoy these amazing flavors at home!
Plus, this version takes about 20 minutes to prep and throw into the crockpot. Your house will fill with the most incredible warming smells, while you get on with your day.
- Add the chicken to a crockpot, and then generously salt and pepper it.
- Add avocado oil to a skillet, and heat over medium high. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and jalapeno, and saute for 6-8 minutes, until the veggies are fragrant and translucent.
- Next, add the chili powder, cumin and salt, and stir to coat the veggies.
- Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, and Organic SunButter. Use a whisk to incorporate the sunflower seed butter and tomato paste into the mixture, while bringing it to a low simmer.
- Add the cocoa butter and salt, and taste. This is a good point to adjust the spiciness by adding more chili powder or salt, if needed.
Tips & Variations for Chicken Mole
- Stovetop Variation: This chicken mole recipe can also be made on a stovetop, if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to go the slow cooker route. Add the chicken to a large skillet, and pour half of the mole sauce over the top, and then cover it and let it simmer on medium low for about 30-40 minutes. Follow the rest of the instructions as written!
- Whole30 or Paleo Meal: I’ve been serving this chicken mole with cauliflower rice and avocado, making it the perfect Whole30 or Paleo meal. It would also be great with zucchini noodles.
- Can I make this not spicy? Absolutely! Start with 1-2 tablespoons of chili sauce, to give it the flavor without adding too much spice. You can also experiment with different chili powders because have very little spice.
Slow Cooker Chicken Mole
Equipment
- Crock pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1/2 yellow onion minced
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 1 jalapeno optional, minced
- 1/4 cup chili powder*
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons Organic SunButter
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add chicken to the crockpot, and salt and pepper generously.
- In a large skillet, add avocado oil, minced onion, garlic and jalapeno (if using), and saute over medium high heat until translucent and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin and salt, and stir combine with vegetables.
- Pour in chicken broth, and add tomato paste and SunButter. Use a whisk to smooth and combine. Bring to a low simmer.
- Mix arrowroot with 2 tablespoons of water, and then stir it in to the sauce while stirring.
- Add cocoa powder and salt, and adjust chili powder and salt to your taste.
- At this point, you can use an immersion blender or a standard blender to make the sauce ultra smooth. I don't find this necessary. The sauce will have an amazing flavor even if you skip this step.
- Pour half of sauce over the chicken, and set the crockpot to cook on low for 4-5 hours. Set the rest of the sauce aside for serving.
- Remove the chicken breasts shred them or cut into chunks.
- Reheat the remaining sauce to drizzle on the chicken. You can also just add it to the slow cooker with the shredded chicken.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This shredded chicken mole is amazing frozen. Store in a freezer air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Other Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- Crockpot Moroccan Chicken, by Sunkissed Kitchen
- Crockpot Pumpkin Chicken, by Sunkissed Kitchen
- Crockpot Enchilada Chicken, by Sunkissed Kitchen
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