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Mexican Roast Chicken with Green Mole and Chorizo Beans

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Ingredients

Spatchcock Chicken

  • 1 whole chicken spatchcocked (1.8 to 2 kg / 4 to 4.5 pounds)
  • 30 g extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons
  • 12 g kosher salt 2 teaspoons
  • 4 g black pepper 1 teaspoon
  • 6 g paprika 2 teaspoons

Chorizo Gigante Beans

  • 115 g pork chorizo 4 ounces
  • 30 g spring green garlic sliced (1/4 cup)
  • 240 g cooked gigante beans 1 cup
  • 120 g chicken stock 1/2 cup
  • 14 g unsalted butter 1 tablespoon
  • 5 g fresh cilantro chopped (1 tablespoon)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Spring Green Mole

  • 1 medium green zucchini sliced lengthwise (about 300 g / 1 to 2 cups)
  • 2 Anaheim peppers about 150 g / 1 cup
  • 1 corn tortilla charred
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 15 g sultanas or raisins 1 tablespoon
  • 15 g walnuts 1 tablespoon
  • 14 g unsalted butter 1 tablespoon
  • 30 g fresh spinach 1/2 cup
  • 30 g fresh cilantro 1/2 cup
  • 2 g ground cumin 1 teaspoon
  • 120 to 240 g chicken stock as needed for blending (1/2 to 1 cup)
  • 15 g lime juice 1 tablespoon
  • Kosher salt to taste

To Finish

  • 1 tablespoon black and white sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the spatchcock chicken completely dry, then rub with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika until evenly coated.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down into the skillet and press with a second heavy skillet or weight. Sear until the skin is deeply golden brown and crispy.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 160°F. Flip the chicken near the end of cooking and roast briefly uncovered to deepen the color. Rest before serving.
  • Place the pork chorizo and sliced green garlic into a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until the chorizo is browned and the garlic becomes soft and fragrant.
  • Add the gigante beans and chicken stock. Simmer until slightly reduced and glossy. Stir in the butter and chopped cilantro, then season with kosher salt and black pepper. The beans should remain lightly brothy and creamy.
  • Score the flesh side of the zucchini lightly with a knife, then rub with olive oil and salt. Grill or roast the zucchini and Anaheim peppers until softened and lightly charred.
  • Char the corn tortilla directly over a flame or in a dry skillet until deeply toasted.
  • Add the charred zucchini, Anaheim peppers, tortilla, garlic cloves, raisins, walnuts, butter, spinach, cilantro, cumin, and chicken stock to a blender. Blend on high speed for about 5 minutes until completely smooth and silky. Add more stock as needed to adjust consistency. Finish with lime juice and kosher salt to taste.
  • Spoon the chorizo gigante beans into a shallow bowl or plate. Place the roasted chicken over the beans and spoon the green mole generously over the top. Finish with black and white sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Notes

This green mole gets its naturally creamy texture from roasted zucchini, making it perfect for spring and summer cooking.
Anaheim peppers add gentle heat and smokiness without overpowering the sauce.
Blend the mole longer than you think necessary. A full 5 minutes creates the smooth restaurant-style texture.
Gigante beans hold their shape beautifully while staying creamy, but cannellini beans also work well as a substitute.
For deeper smoky flavor, grill the vegetables and tortilla over charcoal instead of roasting.
This green mole sauce also pairs incredibly well with grilled pork, shrimp, or roasted mushrooms.