This rich and flavorful Easy Mexican Slow Cooker Mole Chicken Thighs recipe is prepared using chicken thighs, diced tomatoes, peanut butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, and raisins. This savory and hearty mole chicken recipe is perfect for dinner, takes about 310 minutes to prepare, and can serve up to 6 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, drained with ½ cup of juice reserved
• ⅓ cup of raisins
• 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon of salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper, plus more to taste
• 8 bone-in chicken thighs (5 to 7 ounces each), skin removed and trimmed
• ¼ cup of minced fresh cilantro for garnish

How To Make Slow Cooker Mole Chicken Thighs

1. Start with the Sauce Base: Pour the drained diced tomatoes into your slow cooker, then add the ½ cup of reserved tomato juice to keep things juicy. This tomato base will help bring all the flavors together while your chicken cooks.
2. Add the Flavor Elements: Toss in the raisins, unsweetened cocoa powder, peanut butter, chili powder, and minced garlic into the slow cooker. These ingredients will create that signature mole flavor that’s rich, a little spicy, and slightly sweet.
3. Season the Sauce: Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper, then give everything a good stir to combine.
4. Prepare and Add the Chicken: Take your bone-in chicken thighs, remove the skin if needed, and trim any excess fat. Season them lightly with a bit more salt and pepper. Once seasoned, carefully nestle the chicken thighs into the sauce mixture in the slow cooker.
5. Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low heat for about 4 to 5 hours. The key is to leave the chicken alone so it becomes tender and absorbs all the mole sauce flavors while it slowly cooks.
6. Blend the Mole Sauce: Once the chicken is done, carefully transfer the thighs to a serving dish. Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a blender and blend until smooth, which should take about 30 seconds.
7. Serve and Garnish: Taste the blended mole sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Pour about 1 cup of the sauce over the chicken thighs, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve the remaining sauce on the side for those who want an extra hit of flavor.

Recipe Tips

• Add a smoky twist: Try adding 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the sauce mixture for an extra layer of smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the rich mole ingredients.
• Use a bone-in cut: Stick with bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness during the long cooking time, as the bones help keep the chicken moist and juicy.
• Control the heat: If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the chili powder to 1½ tablespoons or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to give the sauce more heat.
• Thicken the sauce: If you find the sauce too thin after blending, return it to the slow cooker on high for 10-15 minutes to reduce and thicken it slightly.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Tomatillo Tacos
• Slow Cooker Chinese Barbecued Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Boneless Stew