Zacatecas-Style Green Mole Chicken recipe, also known as Pollo en Mole Verde, is a delicious and flavorful Mexican dish. It features tender chicken cooked in a vibrant and aromatic green mole sauce. The sauce is made with a variety of fresh ingredients like tomatillos, cilantro, and green chilies, giving it a unique and tangy flavor. Here’s a recipe for you to enjoy this traditional dish:
Ingredients:
For the Green Mole Sauce:
- 1 pound fresh tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 2-3 serrano peppers or jalapeño peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt to taste
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (e.g., thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Green Mole Chicken Recipe Instructions:
In a large skillet or comal over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds until lightly browned. Remove them from the heat and set aside.
In the same skillet, roast the tomatillos and chilies until they are charred and softened. Remove the tomatillos and chilies from the heat and let them cool slightly.
In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted tomatillos, chilies, cilantro, parsley, onion, garlic, toasted pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and chicken broth. Blend until you achieve a smooth and thick green mole sauce. If needed, you can add a bit more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency. Season the sauce with salt to taste.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil or olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Add the seasoned chicken to the pot and sear them until they are golden brown on all sides.
Pour the green mole sauce over the seared chicken, making sure each piece is coated in the sauce.
Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the chicken simmer in the mole sauce for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Serve the Zacatecas-Style Green Mole Chicken (Pollo en Mole Verde) with rice, warm tortillas, or crusty bread. You can garnish it with additional fresh cilantro leaves or sesame seeds for added visual appeal.
Enjoy the rich and tangy flavors of this traditional Mexican dish. The green mole sauce infuses the chicken with a delightful blend of herbs and spices, making it a true crowd-pleaser at the dinner table.
Zacatecas-Style Green Mole Chicken (Pollo En Mole Verde) calories count
The calorie count for Zacatecas-Style Green Mole Chicken (Pollo en Mole Verde) can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. Below is a general estimate based on the ingredients and quantities listed in the recipe:
For the Green Mole Sauce:
- 1 pound fresh tomatillos: ~110 calories
- 2-3 serrano peppers or jalapeño peppers: ~10-15 calories (depending on the size and spiciness)
- 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves: ~4 calories
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves: ~10 calories
- 1 small onion: ~30 calories
- 2 cloves garlic: ~10 calories
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas): ~200-250 calories (depending on the brand)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds: ~170 calories
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: ~5 calories
- Salt: ~negligible calories
Total estimated calories for the Green Mole Sauce: ~550-600 calories
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces: ~1300-1500 calories (depending on the type of chicken pieces used)
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil: ~240 calories (assuming 2 tablespoons are used and fully absorbed)
Total estimated calories for the Chicken and Cooking: ~1540-1740 calories
Please keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and the actual calorie count may vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. Additionally, the calorie count may change if you make any modifications to the recipe or use different types of chicken or oils.
To calculate the calories per serving, you can divide the total estimated calories by the number of servings you get from the recipe. For example, if you divide the total by 4 (assuming 4 servings), each serving would be approximately 385-435 calories (again, this is an estimate).
For a more accurate calorie count, you can use a nutrition calculator or input the exact amounts and brands of ingredients you use into a recipe calculator to get a precise value.
