Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole
Try this Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole recipe.
Try this Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole recipe.
- salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 2 lbs chicken pieces (breasts and legs work well) bone i skin removed
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 6 - 7 whole tomatoes peeled seeded and chopped
- 5 dried new mexico chili peppers rehydrated and chopped
- 2.5 oz dark chocolate (70% or above)
- 1/2 tsp guajillpo chili powder
- avocado cilantro and jalapeno all chopped.
- Carbohydrate 2.54469900056591 g
- Cholesterol 11.1740310750463 mg
- Fat 10.4523681883527 g
- Fiber 0.53752833476964 g
- Protein 1.68619140190706 g
- Saturated Fat 3.25937926556273 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (183g)
- Sodium 334.657337653013 mg
- Sugar 2.00717066579627 g
- Trans Fat 0.591859998187118 g
- Calories 105 calories
Step-by-step
- Generously salt and pepper the chicken.
- Place a pan over medium heat and add the ghee.
- Once the ghee has warmed, add the chicken and brown on all sides. This may need to be done in batches.
- Move the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add onion to the same pan and saute until translucent.
- Add garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transfer onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Add the tomatoes, chili peppers, almond butter, dark chocolate, salt and spices to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Top mole with the avocado, cilantro, and jalapeno and serve!
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole
As a busy working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Dinner prep often feels like a race against the clock, a whirlwind of chopping, stirring, and cleaning. So, when I stumbled upon a recipe for Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole, I was intrigued, yet skeptical. Chocolate in a savory dish? It sounded...bold. But desperate times call for desperate measures, or at least, desperate attempts to streamline dinner.
The initial apprehension quickly melted away (pun intended) as the rich, complex aroma filled my kitchen. The slow cooker, my trusty culinary sidekick, worked its magic, transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors. The chicken, meltingly tender, was enveloped in a luscious, slightly sweet, and deeply savory sauce. The unexpected sweetness of the dark chocolate perfectly balanced the heat of the chili peppers, creating a harmonious dance on my taste buds. It was far from the ordinary weeknight dinner I was used to, but in the best way possible.
The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its incredible taste but also in its simplicity. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing me to spend my precious time elsewhere – maybe with my family or finally catching up on my reading. It’s the kind of recipe that allows me to feel like I'm creating something special, something sophisticated, without spending hours in the kitchen. That's a win in my book.
I served the mole with fluffy rice and a side of simple steamed green beans, a contrast in textures and flavors that elevated the dish even further. The vibrant colors, the fragrant spices, the unexpected harmony of sweet and savory – it was a dinner party in a bowl. My family was thoroughly impressed, demanding seconds and already requesting it again next week.
This Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole has become a staple in our home, a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most unexpected culinary adventures yield the most rewarding results. It’s a recipe that proves that even on the busiest of days, a little bit of adventure – and a generous helping of chocolate – can transform an ordinary meal into something truly extraordinary.
Beyond the Recipe: Embracing Culinary Spontaneity
What I love most about this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. More heat? Add a few more chili peppers. Less spice? Tone it down. The beauty of cooking is in the experimentation, the joy of discovering your own unique flavour profiles. Don't be afraid to deviate from the recipe; consider it a guideline, not a rule.
I’ve found that the quality of the chocolate significantly impacts the final flavor. Using a higher percentage dark chocolate (70% or above) brings a deeper complexity and richness to the mole. Experiment with different brands to find your favorite.
This recipe isn't just about the delicious meal; it's about the journey. It's about embracing the unexpected, taking culinary risks, and discovering new flavors that delight and surprise. It’s a reminder that even the simplest ingredients can create something extraordinary when combined with a little bit of love and a whole lot of slow-cooking magic. So, next time you're looking for a delicious and surprisingly easy weeknight meal, give this Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole a try. You might just surprise yourself.
Serving Suggestions & Beyond:
While I prefer to serve my Slow Cooker Chocolate Chicken Mole with simple rice and steamed vegetables, the possibilities are endless. Consider serving it with:
- Warm tortillas for a more casual, taco-like experience.
- Fresh, crusty bread for dipping into the rich sauce.
- A side salad to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the mole.
- A dollop of sour cream or crema fresca for a touch of tang.
This versatile dish can be easily adapted to suit various dietary needs and preferences. For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or hearty mushrooms. The rich sauce will still be the star of the show.
This recipe has been a true game-changer for me. It's a testament to the fact that even amidst the chaos of daily life, there's always room for a delicious, heartwarming, and surprisingly simple meal. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need most.
