Preheat your oven to 400°F. This initial step is crucial as it prepares the environment for the chicken to cook perfectly. Ensuring your oven is at the right temperature means the chicken will roast beautifully, resulting in a crispy skin.
Generously season the chicken thighs and legs with salt and pepper all over. The seasoning enhances the natural flavors of the chicken, ensuring each bite is seasoned well. Don't be shy; this is your moment to infuse some flavor.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Preferably, use a cast-iron skillet for even cooking. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken, skin-side down. Allow it to sear until golden, which should take about six minutes. This step is essential for that delicious crust.
Flip the chicken pieces over and continue to cook for another two minutes. This ensures that both sides are nicely browned and deliciously crispy. Once done, transfer the chicken to a clean platter and set it aside.
Discard any excess oil left in the skillet but make sure to leave the browned bits at the bottom. These bits add incredible flavor to your dish! Now, return the skillet to medium heat.
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. This deglazing step is vital as it incorporates all those rich flavors back into the sauce.
Add in the mole sauce and stir to combine it with the broth. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. The combination of the broth and mole will create a luscious sauce that envelops the chicken.
Now it’s time to nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Lay the chicken pieces in the pan and ladle some sauce over the top. This step ensures the chicken absorbs all those amazing flavors.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for about 35 minutes. If you notice the sauce is getting too dark, cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning. You want your chicken to be tender and infused with flavor.
Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and spoon more sauce over the chicken. For that finishing touch, plate the chicken and sprinkle liberally with toasted sesame seeds. This adds a nice crunch and enhances the flavor profile.
