Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese

Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese is a bold, flavor-packed dish inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Mexico, where mole sauces are revered for their depth and complexity. Mole—especially chocolate mole—has ancient roots, blending indigenous ingredients like chilies and cacao with spices introduced later through colonial influence. Traditionally served with meats, this dish reimagines mole in a playful, shareable form, pairing it with crisp chips for a modern, appetizer-style presentation.

In this recipe, a velvety Mexican chocolate mole sauce brings together smoky chilies, warm spices, subtle sweetness, and deep cocoa notes. When spooned over crunchy chips, the sauce creates a luxurious contrast of textures, while crumbly Cotija cheese adds a salty, tangy finish that cuts through the richness. Optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, red onion, or a squeeze of lime enhance the balance, adding brightness and freshness to every bite.

Perfect for entertaining, game-day spreads, or an elevated snack course, this dish is designed to surprise and delight. It offers familiar comfort in chip form while introducing complex, layered flavors that feel both indulgent and sophisticated. Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese showcases how traditional sauces can be reinvented in unexpected, crowd-pleasing ways.

Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese

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Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese is a bold, flavor-packed dish inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Mexico, where mole sauces are revered for their depth and complexity. Mole—especially chocolate mole—has ancient roots, blending indigenous ingredients like chilies and cacao with spices introduced later through colonial influence. Traditionally served with meats, this dish reimagines mole in a playful, shareable form, pairing it with crisp chips for a modern, appetizer-style presentation.

In this recipe, a velvety Mexican chocolate mole sauce brings together smoky chilies, warm spices, subtle sweetness, and deep cocoa notes. When spooned over crunchy chips, the sauce creates a luxurious contrast of textures, while crumbly Cotija cheese adds a salty, tangy finish that cuts through the richness. Optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, red onion, or a squeeze of lime enhance the balance, adding brightness and freshness to every bite.

Perfect for entertaining, game-day spreads, or an elevated snack course, this dish is designed to surprise and delight. It offers familiar comfort in chip form while introducing complex, layered flavors that feel both indulgent and sophisticated. Chips with Mexican Chocolate Mole Sauce and Cotija Cheese showcases how traditional sauces can be reinvented in unexpected, crowd-pleasing ways.

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 10-ounce bag tortilla chips (unflavored)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 4 ounces Mexican chocolate, such as Ibarra
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons cotija cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, lightly toasted (optional)
• 1 green onion, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. In a medium saucepan, add all the ingredients except the last three.
3. Whisk ingredients while cooking over medium heat.  Chocolate should be completely melted and flavors blend together, about 5 minutes.
4. In the meantime, place the chips on a cookie sheet, and warm in the oven for 5 minutes.
5. When sauce thickens, turn off heat and remove from the stove.
6. Remove chips from the oven and let cool slightly.  Place on a serving platter and spoon mole sauce over the chips.
7. Sprinkle sesame seeds, green onions and cotija cheese over the top.

• Author: Recipe Maker
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Side Dishes Snacks
• Cuisine: Mexican Recipes Tex Mex Cuisine