Chicken and Olive Mole Casserole

Name: Chicken and Olive Mole Casserole
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
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

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 50 min. Bake: 40 min. + standing YIELD: 8 servings.

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.