Chicken with Mole Sauce

4 to 5 lbs of skinless chicken thighs

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup orange juice

6 cloves garlic

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon sugar or to taste

1 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate

2 tbs. peanut butter

4 tbs. chili powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

Salt to taste

1 chipotle pepper (use a green pepper if you can't find a chipotle)

In a stock pot add the chicken broth and orange juice over low heat.

Brown the chicken thighs in a frying pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side. Partially cover to keep the splatter down and to keep you from getting burned.

As the chicken pieces get done, place them into the stock pot with the chicken broth. Once all the chicken is done browning simmer the chicken in the stock pot with a lid for 30 minutes.

Remove the chicken to cool.

In the frying pan that you used to brown the chicken, add a touch more olive oil and add the minced onion and cook, stirring frequently for 20 minutes over medium to low heat to caramelize. The onion will cook down and turn a nice golden brown and become very sweet.

This is where the good flavor develops. Now add the minced garlic and stir frequently for 3 minutes.

Add the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, sugar, unsweetened chopped chocolate to the onion and garlic mixture and sauté for two to three minutes more.

Pour the onion mixture into the chicken broth and add the following to the chicken broth pot:

Peanut butter

Chili powder

Paprika

Salt

Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. In the mean time de-bone the chicken and tear or cut into bite size pieces.

Let the sauce cool for 10 minutes and then pour into a blender and puree the sauce for 20 seconds.  Only fill the blender half full in that it will still be warm and will expand.  Cover with a towel when you blend it for safety.

Pour the sauce back into the pot and add the chicken. Reheat on the stove until the chicken is heated through and serve.  Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds if you like for more texture.  Serve with white or red rice.

This mole can be used for almost any meat.  Just substitute your chicken with pork or beef or pour it over you favorite burrito.  

It is a lot of work, but the complex sauce is worth every minute of it.  You will fall in love with this sauce and find many uses for it.  

Remember, good things come to those who wait.  Be happy and may God bless you and yours.