Krolls Korner - 1 white rice topped with pumpkin curry and chunks of chicken plus green herbs - 2

This Pumpkin Curry with Chicken is an easy weeknight dinner, comforting, vibrant, satisfying and the perfect amount of pumpkin-y!

Pumpkin Curry is far from bland and boring and is a fun way to switch up your dinner routine and it’s great for meal prep too!

September is National Rice Month, a special month to celebrate the U.S. rice industry, including farmers, producers, and manufacturers. This year marks the 33rd Anniversary of National Rice Month! And this mouthwatering meal features plenty of U.S.-grown long grain white rice to celebrate!

chicken curry in a saute pan. - 3

I cooked my rice with my Zojirushi America Rice Cooker – I use it weekly and sometimes multiple times a week. Zojirushi has been perfecting rice cooking technology for the past 5 decades and they recently launched their brand new Induction Heating Rice Cooker which uses the best technology for cooking rice, it turns out perfect every.single.time!

Some of my other favorite recipes using U.S.-grown rice are my Southwest Chicken Rice Bowls , Creamy Tuscan Chicken & Rice , and Spicy Honey Chicken Rice Bowls .

What is curry?

  • Curry is essentially a dish with a sauce or gravy made with a mixture of spices. The term has been loosely used and is used to describe a lot of dishes and meals.

Ingredient notes

For the ingredient measurements and entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.

ingredients to make a chicken curry with pumpkin puree in small glass bowls. - 4
  • U.S.-grown long grain white rice: I love this pumpkin curry over U.S.-grown long grain rice because the cooked grains are lighter, fluffier, and more separated than their medium or short grain counterparts, so it works well with the creamy curry sauce. U.S.-grown rice is nutrient rich and contributes more than 15 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid and other B-vitamins, as well as iron and zinc.
  • Yellow curry powder : Curry powder is the only spice you’ll need. Any brand works fine. It is typically a combination of coriander, cumin, turmeric, ground ginger, dry mustard, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne (or chili powder).
  • Red Curry Paste : Adds tons of flavor to this dish. I love using the Thai Kitchen brand.
  • Coconut milk: I recommend using a full-fat can of coconut milk to create a rich and creamy sauce.
  • Pumpkin puree: be sure to use a 100% pumpkin puree, and not a pumpkin pie mix.
  • Chicken thighs: I love how juicy and tender the chicken thighs are in this meal, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well, too.

Step by Step Directions

For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card .

step by step photos making a curry sauce for chicken in a saute pan. - 5
  1. Sauté the shallots, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Add in the coconut milk, pumpkin, curry powder, curry paste, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Add the chicken cubes and cook at a simmer until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ~10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add scallions and cilantro.
  6. Serve over U.S.-grown long grain rice.
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Expert Tips

  • Be sure to mince the shallots so they blend into the sauce well.
  • Let the chicken cook in the sauce at a low heat for best flavor. You want the chicken to stay nice and tender.
  • This dish comes together quickly, so be sure you have everything chopped and prepped in advance.
  • If you want a tangier pumpkin curry, add lime juice at the end. If you’d like it saltier, add in fish sauce or soy sauce .
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Variations and Substitutions

  • Feel free to use garam masala and a pinch of turmeric if you don’t have yellow curry powder.
  • With the coconut milk addition, I feel the dish doesn’t need to be thicker or creamier. However, feel free to add a cornstarch slurry or add heavy cream at the end.
  • If using a lite coconut milk, the consistency will be different and I recommend thickening with cornstarch.
  • Add cashews or peanuts on top for crunch!
  • Add in a jalapeno when sautéing the shallots for a spicy kick!
  • Feel free to add bell pepper, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, peas, or other favorite vegetables to the curry.

Storage

  • Allow to cool completely, and then store in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually reheat in the microwave until warmed.
  • Chicken curry also freezes well. Allow to cool completely and then store in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

More recipes to love

Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

Pumpkin Chili with Ground Beef

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon Panko Topping

Pumpkin Spice Granola

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white rice topped with pumpkin curry and chunks of chicken plus green herbs - 8

Pumpkin Curry with Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. oil (olive, canola, or vegetable)
  • 2 Tbsp. shallot, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tsp. ginger, minced
  • 1, 15 oz. can coconut milk, full fat
  • 1 cup 100% pumpkin puree
  • 2 Tbsp. yellow curry powder
  • 1 Tbsp. red curry paste
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions (green parts only), diced
  • 1 cup cooked U.S.-grown long grain white rice
Pumpkin Curry with Chicken - 9

Instructions

  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Then add the shallot, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until shallot softens. 1 Tbsp. oil (olive, canola, or vegetable), 2 Tbsp. shallot, minced, 3 cloves garlic, chopped, 2 tsp. ginger, minced
  • Add the coconut milk, pumpkin, curry powder, curry paste, brown sugar, salt and pepper and whisk. 1, 15 oz. can coconut milk, full fat, 1 cup 100% pumpkin puree, 2 Tbsp. yellow curry powder, 1 Tbsp. red curry paste, 2 Tbsp. brown sugar, salt and pepper, to taste
  • Bring to a gentle boil. Add the chicken cubes and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked, this will take ~10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The idea here is to let the chicken simmer in the sauce so it stays nice and tender. 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1-inch cubes
  • Add the cilantro and green onions. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust any seasonings as desired. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, 2 green onions (green parts only), diced
  • Serve over cooked rice with plenty of the yummy curry sauce. 1 cup cooked U.S.-grown long grain white rice

Video

Nutrition