Instant Pot Chicken Mole Tacos

A mole is a Mexican sauce that is comprised of toasted nuts, dried fruit, chiles, chocolate and other savory ingredients, herbs and spices. Typically simmered for hours, my Instant Pot Chicken Mole Tacos are made in under an hour… and they’re amazing!

When I think of a mole I think of a rich, savory Mexican sauce that has complex, layered flavors, and has been painstakingly nurtured, simmered and labored over. Not so for my Chicken Mole Tacos that have the help of the Instant Pot.

While I use bone-in for this recipe, feel free to use boneless chicken thighs, although I feel bone-in lends so much more flavor.

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This makes enough mole sauce for the chicken mole tacos plus about two cups extra.

I love to serve it with eggs, in enchiladas or add it to a soup or chili if you like.

The rich flavors developed are really amazing. With mole it’s not one note, it’s the combination of the chiles, chocolate, dried fruit and herbs and spices that make it one flavor.

For other mole recipes, try my Roasted Chicken with Almond Banana Mole, or this Pork Mole Negro. I use leftover mole sauce for that one on these delicious Pork Mole Negro Enchiladas. Enjoy!

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Instant Pot Chicken Mole Tacos

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

A mole is a Mexican sauce that is comprised of toasted nuts, dried fruit, chiles, chocolate and other savory ingredients, herbs and spices. Typically simmered for hours, my Instant Pot Chicken Mole Tacos are made in under an hour… and they’re amazing! Adapted from Cooking Light.

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 8

Calories: 582 kcal

Author: Kevin Is Cooking

Ingredients

• 3 dried ancho chiles
• 28 oz can whole roasted tomatoes
• 1 medium onion roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
• 1/2 cup dark baking chocolate
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 lbs chicken thighs bone-in, skinned (See Note 1)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 16 6-in. corn tortillas
• 1/4 cup Cotija cheese crumbled
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
• 2 limes cut into wedges

Instructions

1. In a bowl cover ancho chiles with boiling water and soak for 10 minutes. Drain and discard stems and seeds.
2. In a small sauté pan toast the almonds and sesame seeds for 3 minutes. Set aside.
3. In a blender or food processor add seeded chiles, tomatoes, onion, almonds, sesame seeds, chocolate, raisins, chicken stock, chipotles and adobo sauce, cumin, cinnamon, Mexican oregano and garlic in a food processor until smooth.
4. Season chicken with salt and place in a Instant Pot. Add mole sauce mixture. Season chicken with salt and place inside Instant Pot. Pour in mole sauce mixture. Cover, seal vent and hit Poultry setting, High Pressure, 25 minutes.
5. Open vent and allow steam to release. Remove chicken and place on a cutting board to remove bones. Reserve 2 cups of the mole sauce for another use. Shred chicken into large pieces then return to Instant Pot and mole sauce.

6. Toast and slightly char corn tortillas over medium-high directly on burner. 

7. Top tortillas with chicken mole mixture, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Recipe Notes

1. Feel free to substitute bones chicken thighs, but bone-in lends so much more flavor. Lower cooking time to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Chicken Mole Tacos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 582 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 30g 46%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 115mg 38%

Sodium 494mg 21%

Potassium 806mg 23%

Total Carbohydrates 52g 17%

Dietary Fiber 11g 44%

Sugars 12g

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 80.7%

Vitamin C 15.2%

Calcium 17.1%

Iron 29.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.