It’s been a while since we’ve had a savory Chocolate Monday and since this is the season for warming soups, I thought it would be fun to take today’s post in another direction. Probably the most well-known use of chocolate in savory dishes is Mexican mole sauce, but it can be intimidating with its lengthy ingredient list. But this recipe is a snap to make and has all the flavor and complexity with a fraction of the components. Enjoy this Gluten Free Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup and get warm to your toes!
The first time I had mole was on my first trip to Mexico. My parents, grandfather, and I went down to Puerto Vallarta in the middle of winter one year. I was sick with Crohn’s and had lost an alarming amount of weight. Being able to rest in the warmth of the languid Mexican coastal town, soak up the sun, and take daily naps was the perfect way to help me recover some of my strength and begin gaining back a few pounds. It reversed my downward spiral and helped get me strong enough to survive the surgery that saved my life. I guess in a way, I can thank Mexico, its lovely people, and their delicious food for turning my life around.
The ingredient that I think adds quintessential Mexican flavor profile is chile peppers. I always keep a supply of dried peppers in my pantry to boost otherwise bland or boring dishes. Today I used a combination of Guajillo and chipotle peppers, lending deep chile flavor with a touch of smoky heat.
Guajillos and anchos are two of the most common chiles used in Mexican cooking. They are dynamic with bright flavors and a touch of tanginess. Chipotle is a smoked jalapeno that adds heat as well as a subtle smokiness. Together they give this soup a distinct and balanced chile flavor. You can use just one type and keep it as mild or spicy as you like, but I encourage you to consider combining two or more varieties. Each chile has specific flavors and heat levels, letting you customize your meals.
On the West Coast chiles are sold in nearly every grocery store. If you can’t find them where you live, they are available online. Buy them in bulk to keep the price down but remember, they each weigh next to nothing, so a pound of peppers would last you a year or more unless you are cooking Mexican food for crowds regularly. You can also buy them in finely ground form, making it easy to pump up the flavors in any meal.
The most unusual component of mole sauce and this soup is the chocolate. The bitterness of the chocolate balances the richness of the soup and helps offset the heat of the chipotle. You could leave it out if you are not sure of it, but give it a try, you may just love it.
The small amount of masa harina (or corn flour, not cornmeal) is enough to thicken a huge pot of soup and give the sense of richness similar to cream or butter without any of the fat. It’s a great secret weapon and also dairy and gluten free!
The blending of the oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and chocolate is unusual and delightful. Then you add in the chicken, stock, and tomatoes and you’ve got a meal that people will crave. If you want a heartier version, you can add more chicken and additional vegetables.
Enjoy this Gluten Free Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup with chunky bread and a tossed green salad for a healthy and delicious dinner all year long.
Happy Chocolate Monday!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you!
Key Ingredients for Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup:
- Dried chiles, olive oil, chicken thighs, onion, garlic, tomatoes
- Cinnamon, sugar, cumin, oregano, chicken stock, masa harina
- Bittersweet chocolate, salt and pepper, fresh lime juice
- Toppings such as sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or tortilla strips
PRO Tip:
If you leave the chicken partially frozen it is so much easier to cut into bite-sized cubes. There is also a lower risk of cutting yourself because the chicken is firm.
How to make Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup:
- Soak the dried chiles in boiling water to soften for 30 minutes
- Cook the chicken and onions in hot oil in a Dutch oven until about half done; transfer solids to a bowl and lower heat under the pot
- Drain the chiles, discarding the stems, seeds, and ribs, then cut into chunks; place chiles into a blender, add 1 cup of the stock, and puree until smooth
- Strain the puree through a sieve, discarding the solids; add the strained chile puree to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil before reducing the heat to medium and cook until thickened, stirring often
- Add remaining stock along with the garlic, tomatoes, cinnamon, sugar, cumin, and oregano; bring to a boil then add the chicken, onions, and accumulated juices to the pan
- Reduce heat and cook at a low boil for 10 minutes; dissolve the masa harina in 1 cup of the stock then whisk it into the soup to thicken it slightly
- Cook about 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, taste and adjust seasonings; Stir in the chopped chocolate and stir until it is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, then taste and adjust seasonings again if needed, whisking to blend everything together
- Ladle into warmed soup bowl and garnish with your choice of toppings; serve immediately
PRO Tip:
Whenever you are working with hot peppers, in this case the chipotles, be very careful not to touch your eyes. You will need to scrub your hands really well after handling the peppers or you can do what most chefs do and use latex gloves to protect yourself. They are easy to find in any drugstore and will make a lot of jobs in the kitchen easier and neater!
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Gluten-Free Tips:
Avoid buying spice blends which often have gluten in them. Instead, keep individual ground peppers and mix your own “chili” powder. It is safer to do your own blending. If you do want to buy blends, both McCormick and Penzey’s are very good at keeping their individual products gluten free and clearly labeled.
Gluten Free Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup
Do you love chicken with mole sauce? This Spicy Chicken, Chile, Chocolate Soup has all the same flavors and a nice smoky spice from the chipotles. Rich, warm, and spicy with a surprising touch of chocolate, it is the perfect way to thaw you out on cold days.
Ingredients
Soup
- 3 dried ancho, Guajillo, or New Mexican chiles
- 1 to 2 dried chipotle peppers (add more for spicier flavor)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 large onion, trimmed, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 26 oz canned, chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock, divided
- 1/4 cup masa harina
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (65%-70%)
- Kosher or fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly squeezed lime juice, to taste
Toppings
- Your choice of sour cream, sliced avocado, cilantro, fried tortilla strips, or other favorites
Instructions
- Place the dried chiles in a medium mixing bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside to soak and soften for 30 minutes.
- While the chiles are soaking, heat the oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. When it is shimmering, add the chicken and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked about halfway through and the onions are beginning to soften about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and onions to a bowl. Turn the burner down to low under the Dutch oven.
- Drain chiles, (carefully squeeze out water trapped inside) remove and discard the stems, seeds, and ribs, and cut into chunks. Place the chiles in a blender. Pour in 1 cup of the stock and puree until very smooth.
- Set a wire sieve over a bowl and pour the chile puree through the sieve to remove remaining solids. Discard the solids.
- Add the strained chile puree to the Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until reduced and thickened a bit, about 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining stock to the pan along with the garlic, tomatoes, cinnamon, sugar, cumin, and oregano. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, onions and accumulated juices to the pan, reduce heat to medium and cook at a low boil for 10 minutes.
- Ladle about a cup of the liquid into a small bowl and whisk in the masa harina until smooth. Whisk the masa mixture into the large pot, adding it slowly to avoid creating lumps. Cook, stirring often for another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the soup has thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Stir in the chopped chocolate, and keep stirring until completely melted. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the pan well. Once the chocolate is fully melted and the soup is smooth, taste and adjust the seasonings again, adding salt and pepper and lime juice to taste. Stir well to completely blend the ingredients.
- Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with your choice of toppings. Serve immediately.
Recipe Source: The Heritage Cook
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 472Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 305mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 41g
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Welcome! The suggestions here are not intended as dietary advice or as a substitute for consulting a dietician, physician, or other medical professional. Please see the Disclaimers/Privacy Policy page for additional details. Unauthorized use, distribution, and/or duplication of proprietary material from The Heritage Cook without prior approval is prohibited. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links. This post was first shared in Dec 2016. The article was updated in 2021.
Robin Donovan
I made this tonight and it was delicious! Even my 8 year old loved it, but he refused to believe there was chocolate in it.
Jane Bonacci
ROFL, I love that your young one enjoyed the soup and laughed out loud at his refusal to believe there is chocolate in there. Too funny!!