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Yummy Chicken Mole: Can This Classic Mexican Dish Boost Your Mood? | Mental Health Recipes

By Krista

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Last Updated: August 1, 2023

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Chicken mole (pronounced moh-lay) is a classic Mexican dish and, arguably, a labor of love worth doing.

While it does require attention and time, anyone can make this dish and enjoy the unique spiciness and combination of flavors.

As a chocolate lover, I was drawn to this sauce originally due to its chocolate sauce. But don’t let this fool you. It’s a savory dish, not a sweet one! And if this is ever on the menu, I’m ordering it.

With chocolate and plenty of spice (and protein), you’ll find this dish is a delightful yet bold combination that can elevate your mood and take your mental health up a notch.

So, let’s get cooking! 

 

Try This Chicken Mole for a One-of-a-Kind Tasting Experience

This is by far my favorite Mexican dish (And I have a lot of favorites when it comes to Mexican food).

But no matter what, this takes the top spot due to its uniqueness and spiciness. 

Even just having this dish in front of me boosts my mood (I’m not even kidding). But let’s dig into the mental health benefits of it and how you can make it.

And yes, it will require a bit of time.

But here’s some good news: You’ll definitely have sauce left over, making it a great addition to any meal prep routine.

 

How Can Chicken Mole Elevate Your Mood?

This recipe has loads of good stuff. So, let’s dig in and discover why this might be the perfect dish to whip up when you’ve been in a funk.

1. It offers ample protein.

The average chicken mole dish has about 26 grams of protein (about 25% of what most of us need daily!). In fact, most of our meals should ideally contain about 20-30 grams of protein for optimal macronutrient balance.

So, what’s the big deal about protein? Well, it’s not only great for building muscle… Protein also is a major contributor to neurotransmitters. This means it can play an essential role in how we think and feel. 

Without adequate protein, our body might not be able to make hormones and neurotransmitters that elevate our mood or help us feel calm. In extreme situations, this can lead to depression and anxiety.

Related Article: Boost Your Serotonin Levels With This Easy Turmeric Chicken Recipe

 

2. Chili peppers pack tons of punch.

According to research, chili peppers can help reduce depressive symptoms via their active compound capsaicin. 

And get this: High chili intake is also associated with better cognitive function. In other words, it would appear that chilis might improve mental health and brain health, giving way to even more reasons to add a bit more spice to your life!

 

3. Dark chocolate can boost serotonin!

If you’re a chocolate lover like me, you’ll love this news: Dark chocolate has the power to increase serotonin and produce powerful euphoric effects.

Considering chicken mole contains loads of chocolate, this recipe can literally boost your mood, helping your body pump out those feel-good hormones.

Related Article: Does Chocolate Make Everything Better? Try This Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal When You Feel Down

 

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Yummy Chicken Mole: Can This Classic Mexican Dish Boost Your Mood? | Mental Health Recipes

Prep time:
20 minutes
Cook time:
1 hour 30 minutes
Total time:
1 hour 50 minutes
Recipe Category:
chicken
Ingredients:

Chicken:

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 5 pounds of chicken breast
  • 3 cups of chicken broth
  • 3 cups of orange juice

Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 2 onions (chopped)
  • ¼ cup of pumpkin or sesame seeds
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds
  • 8 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 4 teaspoons of cumin seeds
  • 4 teaspoons of coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon of whole anise seeds
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 5 ounces of dried pasilla chiles (1-inch pieces)
  • 1 ounce of dried ancho chiles (1-inch pieces)
  • 1 ounce of dried chipotle chiles (1-inch pieces)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ cup of raisins
  • 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 3.1 ounces of dark chocolate (chopped)
  • Fresh cilantro or sliced onions (optional)
Instructions:
  1. Start by cooking the chicken. Heat a large pot on medium heat. 
  2. Add the olive oil and make sure it covers the bottom of the pot.
  3. Doing a few breasts at a time, sauté each until they are light brown on each side (about 3-4 minutes of cooking). Add more olive oil as needed.
  4. Return all the chicken to the pot, and mix in the orange juice and broth. 
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to low heat with a lid and let simmer until the chicken is cooked (about 25 minutes).
  6. Take the chicken off the heat and save the broth for use later.
  7. For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a new large saucepan on medium heat.
  8. Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden. 
  9. Reduce the heat, and add the pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, garlic, cumin, coriander, whole anise, and cloves. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant.
  10. Stir in the dried chiles, and cook for another few minutes until the chiles start to soften.
  11. Pour the liquid from the chicken into the saucepan, then add the cinnamon stick, bay leaves, raisins, marjoram, thyme, and oregano. Mix, and bring to a boil, then cover and let it simmer for about 30-35 minutes (or until the chiles become very soft).
  12. Stir in the tomato paste, and continue cooking for another couple of minutes.
  13. Remove from the heat, and add the chocolate. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so the sauce cools and the chocolate melts.
  14. Transfer the sauce a bit at a time into a blender to puree the mixture. 
  15. Season with salt and pepper.
  16. Shred the chicken and mix together with half of the sauce. (You may then decide to freeze the remaining sauce for later.)
  17. Serve with rice or tortillas, and add cilantro and chopped onions on top. (Sour cream and a bit of cheese are also great on top!)
Yield (servings):
10 servings

Enjoy the Taste of Mexico!

Inevitably, I’m a little biased; I love Mexican cuisine. And mole is my favorite Mexican sauce. But I urge you to give this recipe a try, not just for the mental health benefits but also for the great flavors that are unmatched anywhere else.

Read Next: Overwhelmed By Trying to “Eat Healthy?” Try This Easy BBQ Recipe Instead

Credit:mofles

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