Mole Poblano con Pollo

The story

Associated with Puebla’s convent and celebratory cooking traditions, Mole Poblano con Pollo developed through practical cooking, local produce and the social occasion on which it was served. Its defining character comes from chicken in Puebla’s complex chilli, spice, seed and chocolate mole. Success depends on controlling seasoning, moisture and texture so the principal ingredient remains clear. The dish remains visible through market eating, family meals, regional celebrations and holiday tables. Those occasions have kept its techniques and expected accompaniments familiar across generations.

Ingredients

• Main
• 900 g chicken pieces
• 3 piece dried ancho chilliseeded
• 2 piece dried mulato chilliseeded
• 2 piece dried pasilla chilliseeded
• 250 g tomatoroasted
• 120 g white onionroasted
• 3 piece garlic clovesroasted
• 40 g almonds
• 30 g sesame seeds
• 40 g Mexican chocolate
• 700 ml chicken stock
• Sauce
• 2 piece corn tortillastoasted · for body

Method

1. Prepare evenly

   Dice, slice or shred ingredients evenly before cooking. Meat should be cut across the grain where relevant.

   Look for: Pieces should be similar size for even cooking. Tip: Good prep is the easiest way to make the final dish feel traditional. Avoid: Uneven cutting causes some pieces to dry out while others remain underdone.

2. Toast and build flavour

   Toast dried chillies briefly and sauté onion, garlic and spices until aromatic.

   Look for: Aromatics should smell sweet and rounded. Tip: Toast, soak and blend chillies for a smoother Mexican sauce. Avoid: Do not burn chillies; they become bitter in seconds.

3. Cook slowly

   Simmer, braise or fry over controlled heat until tender and well seasoned.

   Look for: Sauce should cling and meat or vegetables should be tender. Tip: Add stock gradually so the sauce stays concentrated. Avoid: High heat can split sauces and toughen meat.

4. Adjust texture

   Shred meat, reduce sauce or loosen with stock until the consistency matches the dish.

   Look for: The dish should be moist but not watery. Tip: Taste for salt and acidity at the end. Avoid: Do not serve before reducing excess liquid.

5. Finish and serve

   Serve with warm tortillas, rice, beans, lime or fresh salsa as appropriate.

   Look for: Fresh garnishes should lift the rich base. Tip: Keep tortillas wrapped in a cloth so they stay soft. Avoid: Do not bury the main flavour under too many toppings.

Nutrition

per serving

Estimated nutrition per serving; actual values vary by ingredient brands, portion size and cooking fat retained.