Cheater's Chicken "Mole"

This cheater’s mole might make purists balk, but it’s too good for us to care. You’ll be surprised by how a handful of pantry ingredients can be transformed into a rich, flavorful sauce for poached chicken in an hour.

We start this "mole" with dried roasted ancho chilies and a handful of common ground spices, along with tomato paste for body and cocoa powder for bitterness, depth and color. Tahini is the surprise ingredient—it adds depth, nuttiness and a subtle creaminess. Corn tortillas thicken the sauce and are served alongside for dipping and scooping. Don’t forget to reserve 2¾ cups of the liquid after poaching the chicken; you’ll need it as a base for the sauce. We like to serve this sprinkled with chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.