Pastel Azteca de Mole con Pollo y Elote (Mole Tortilla Layer Bake)
Layers of corn tortillas, mole chicken, sweetcorn and melted cheese baked until bubbling, like a Mexican lasagne.
Made with Mole poblano and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.90 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Warm 350 ml of the mole poblano (see the base recipe) with 150 ml water until loose and steaming. Mix the shredded chicken (see the shredded chicken base recipe) with the sweetcorn.
- 2
Spread 4 tbsp of the mole over the base of a 23 by 30 cm baking dish. Add a layer of 4 corn tortillas (see the base recipe), overlapping a little, then half the chicken mixture and a third of the cheese.
- 3
Add another layer of 4 tortillas, a spoonful more mole, the rest of the chicken and another third of cheese.
- 4
Top with the last 4 tortillas, the remaining mole and the rest of the cheese.
- 5
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 minutes more until bubbling and golden at the edges. Rest for 10 minutes.
35 min - 6
Spoon over the soured cream, scatter with coriander and serve in squares.
Tips
- Press the layers down firmly so the bake slices neatly.
- Rest the pastel for 10 minutes before cutting, as the layers need time to set.
- Warm the tortillas first so they do not tear when layered.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is a pastel azteca?
Pastel azteca is a layered Mexican casserole of corn tortillas, filling, sauce and cheese, similar to a lasagne. It is usually made with poblano and cream; mole makes a richer, darker version.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the chicken with 500 g roasted squash and black beans, and use vegetarian mozzarella. The mole base is vegan.
More made with mole poblano
Gorditas de Pollo con Mole (Stuffed Corn Cakes with Mole Chicken)
GFEFNFMuslos de Pavo en Mole (Turkey Thighs in Mole)
DFEFNFHuevos Estrellados con Mole y Frijoles (Fried Eggs with Mole and Beans)
GFNFVSopes de Mole con Frijoles y Crema (Mole Sopes)
GFNFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.