Tools to Cook Chicken Thighs with Pepita Mole Smoothly
Cast Iron Skillet: Heavy-duty pan perfect for searing chicken and creating rich, deep flavors.
Blender: Essential for creating smooth, creamy pepita mole sauce with roasted ingredients.
Baking Sheet: Used for roasting tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and peppers with even heat distribution.
Sharp Chef's Knife: Needed for precise cutting of vegetables, lime slices, and garnishes.
Strainer: Helps achieve silky, smooth texture when preparing mole sauce.
Measuring Spoons: Accurate for seasoning chicken and measuring spices.
Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
Steps to Prepare Lime Chicken Thighs with Pepita Mole
Flavor Foundation Prepare your kitchen workspace with all the delicious ingredients needed for this mouthwatering dish.
Spice Magic Blend aromatic spices like smoky paprika, earthy coriander, and bright celery salt to create an intense flavor profile for the chicken.
Chicken Preparation Gently separate chicken skin and tuck fresh lime slices and creamy butter underneath for a luxurious infusion of flavor.
Searing Technique Heat a heavy skillet until it's sizzling hot, then place chicken skin-side down to create a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in juiciness.
Sauce Creation Roast vibrant tomatoes, sweet shallots, and smoky peppers to build the rich pepita mole sauce, toasting pepitas with warm allspice and cinnamon for depth.
Cooking Finale Simmer chicken in the luscious mole sauce, allowing the flavors to meld and create a stunning, restaurant-quality meal.
Finishing Touches Sprinkle fresh cilantro, zesty lime zest, and crumbly cotija cheese over the chicken to add brightness and texture to the final dish.
Flavor Tips for Chicken Thighs in Pepita Mole Sauce
Marinate chicken thighs in lime juice and spices for 2-3 hours before cooking to intensify the taste and tenderize the meat.
Adjust the heat in the pepita mole by reducing or increasing the number of chipotle chiles to match your personal spice tolerance.
Prepare the pepita mole sauce up to three days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and deepening the overall dish complexity.
Swap chicken thighs with turkey, duck, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for a versatile meal that keeps the core flavor profile intact.
Transform remaining chicken and mole sauce into tacos, enchiladas, or a hearty grain bowl by shredding the meat and mixing with fresh herbs and additional lime juice.
Serve Lime Chicken Thighs with a Mole Twist
Party Platter Paradise: Slice the chicken and arrange on a rustic wooden board with extra mole sauce drizzled around, creating a stunning centerpiece for gatherings that will wow your friends.
Taco Night Transformation: Shred the chicken and serve in warm corn tortillas, topping with extra pepita mole, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija for a delicious family-style meal.
Salad Bowl Sensation: Slice chicken thinly and place over mixed greens, drizzle with remaining mole sauce, sprinkle with pepitas and cotija cheese for a light yet satisfying lunch option.
Leftover Magic: Chop remaining chicken and mix with mole sauce for a quick quesadilla filling or stuff into empanadas for a next-day culinary adventure that prevents food waste.
How to Store Chicken Thighs with Pepita Mole Properly
Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover chicken tightly sealed in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Refrigerate sauce separately to maintain its vibrant texture and prevent soggy chicken skin.
Flavor Revival Technique: Reheat chicken gently in a covered skillet with a splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Low heat helps maintain the tender texture and prevents overcooking.
Freezer Friendly Method: Freeze deconstructed components separately – chicken and mole sauce can be stored in freezer-safe containers for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Meal Prep Champion: Prepare pepita mole and chicken ahead of time. Components stay fresh in refrigerator for 48 hours, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights. Pre-chopped garnishes like cilantro and lime zest keep meal preparation streamlined and efficient.
Preparation Setup: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C), positioning rack in the upper third of the oven for optimal caramelization and heat distribution.
Seasoning Technique: Craft a dynamic spice blend combining celery salt, ground coriander, and smoked paprika, massaging the mixture directly into chicken thighs while delicately sliding lime slices and butter beneath the skin to maximize flavor penetration and moisture retention.
Searing and Sauce Foundation: Ignite a cast-iron skillet to high heat, achieving a golden-brown crust on chicken thighs by searing skin-side down, then quickly flip and transfer to a holding plate; in the same pan, sauté shallots and garlic until translucent, deglazing with white wine to capture intense flavor essences.
Mole Sauce Construction: Roast roma tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and dried chili peppers until deeply charred; simultaneously toast pepitas with allspice and cinnamon, then blend with chicken broth and chipotle chiles into a velvety smooth consistency, straining through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure silky texture.
Final Cooking Process: Incorporate the pepita mole sauce into the skillet, gently nestling seared chicken thighs to simmer until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), allowing the sauce to envelop and tenderize the meat while intensifying overall flavor profile.
Presentation Finale: Elevate the dish by garnishing with fresh cilantro leaves, vibrant lime zest, and crumbled cotija cheese, creating a visually stunning plate that balances complex flavors and textural elements.
Notes
Skin Crisping Technique: Position chicken skin-side down in a scorching cast-iron skillet to develop a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall flavor profile.
Flavor Layering Strategy: Carefully tuck lime slices and butter under the chicken skin to create a multi-dimensional taste experience that infuses moisture and citrusy brightness throughout the meat.
Mole Sauce Perfection: Roast tomatoes, shallots, and chili peppers until they develop deep, smoky char marks to maximize flavor complexity and bring depth to the pepita mole sauce.
Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing both food safety and optimal juicy texture without overcooking.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.