Chicken and Olive Mole Casserole

Total Time Prep: 50 min. Bake: 40 min. + standing
Yield 8 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
My southwestern chicken casserole makes the perfect party dish when you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. The mole sauce lends an authentic flavor, and folks are always pleasantly surprised to taste a little sweetness from the chocolate. —Barbara White, Livingston, Texas

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, finely chopped, divided
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 5 tablespoons chili powder
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 ounce semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 6 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
  • 1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
  • 4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, saute 1 cup onion in oil until tender. Reduce heat to low. Add the garlic, salt, oregano, cumin and cinnamon; cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in chili powder and flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Cook until mixture is reduced to 3 cups, about 35 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate.
  2. In a large bowl, combine chicken and 1/2 cup sauce. Spread 1/2 cup sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half the tortillas, chicken mixture, remaining onion and olives; top with 1 cup sauce and 2 cups cheese. Repeat layers.
  3. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 640 calories, 36g fat (14g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 1483mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 50g protein.

My southwestern chicken casserole makes the perfect party dish when you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. The mole sauce lends an authentic flavor, and folks are always pleasantly surprised to taste a little sweetness from the chocolate. —Barbara White, Livingston, Texas
Recipe Creator

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