Fall’s Heartwarming Chicken Chili with Pumpkin Recipe

Autumn’s crisp breeze signals the perfect moment to whip up a hearty chicken chili with pumpkin that warms every corner of your kitchen.

Robust flavors dance through this comforting dish, blending smoky spices with creamy pumpkin subtle sweetness.

Tender chicken pieces nestle amid a rich, velvety base that promises pure satisfaction.

Each spoonful carries a delightful mix of seasonal ingredients that elevate your meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

The recipe strikes a perfect balance between wholesome nutrition and irresistible taste.

Spice lovers and comfort food enthusiasts will find this chili impossible to resist.

Get ready to savor a bowl that captures the essence of cozy autumn evenings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 325 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Go Into Chicken Chili with Pumpkin

• Pumpkin: Adds hearty sweetness and creamy texture, choose firm and vibrant orange squash without soft spots.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich flavor foundation, select high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best taste.

• Onion, Celery, Carrots, Garlic: Builds deep flavor profile, pick fresh crisp vegetables with no wilting or bruising.

• Ground Chicken: Provides lean protein, select fresh meat with consistent color and minimal liquid in package.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Thyme, Oregano, Smoked Paprika, Chipotle Pepper Flakes, Cumin: Delivers complex spicy-smoky warmth, ensure spices are fresh and fragrant.

• Chicken Broth, Crushed Tomatoes: Creates rich, velvety consistency, choose low-sodium broth for better flavor control.

• White Beans: Adds creamy texture and plant-based protein, rinse thoroughly before using to remove excess sodium.

• Cream: Provides silky smoothness and balances spice, use full-fat cream for most luxurious result.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Pumpkin Chili

• Large heavy-bottomed pot: Essential for even cooking and preventing burning.
• Cutting board: Crucial for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients safely.
• Sharp knife: Needed to cut pumpkin, onion, celery, carrots, and mince garlic.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and breaking up chicken.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like salt, thyme, and cumin.
• Measuring cup: Useful for pouring chicken broth and cream precisely.
• Can opener: Required to open canned crushed tomatoes and white beans.

Cooking Chicken Chili with Pumpkin Made Easy

• Pumpkin Prep

Start by chopping fresh pumpkin into small, chunky pieces with a sharp kitchen knife. Dice onions, celery, and carrots into fine, uniform bits. Crush garlic cloves for extra flavor intensity.

• Sizzling Base

Heat a large pot with olive oil and butter. Toss pumpkin cubes into the sizzling pan, letting them caramelize and develop a golden-brown exterior. This step builds deep, rich flavor foundations.

• Aromatic Infusion

Sprinkle in minced garlic and chopped vegetables. Let them dance and sizzle, releasing amazing fragrances that will fill your kitchen with warmth. Stir gently to prevent burning.

• Spice Symphony

Introduce a melody of spices – smoky paprika, earthy cumin, zesty thyme, and fiery chipotle. These seasonings transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

• Protein Power

Add ground chicken, breaking it into delicate crumbles. Watch as the meat turns from pink to appetizing golden brown, absorbing all the incredible spice notes.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Drop white beans for creamy texture. Allow everything to simmer and meld together, creating a thick, comforting stew.

• Finishing Touch

Swirl in heavy cream moments before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings for a soul-warming meal.

Creative Tweaks for Pumpkin Chicken Chili

• Roast the pumpkin cubes before adding to the chili for an enhanced, caramelized taste that adds complexity to the overall dish.
• Adjust the chipotle pepper flakes and smoked paprika to control the heat intensity, making the chili mild or fiery according to personal preference.
• Replace ground chicken with ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based crumbles for versatile meal options that suit different dietary needs.
• Prepare the chili in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, letting the flavors meld and intensify overnight for an even more delicious meal.
• Elevate the chili with creative garnishes like crumbled queso fresco, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, crispy tortilla strips, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added texture and freshness.

Serving Chicken Pumpkin Chili for Falls

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley on top to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that brightens the entire dish.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or cornbread to soak up the rich, hearty chili and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Create a Toppings Bar: Offer shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, and green onions so everyone can customize their bowl with their favorite additions.
• Complement with Side Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the chili's warmth and provide a refreshing accompaniment to the meal.

Storing Chicken Pumpkin Chili Smoothly

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight, then gently warm in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick.
• Meal Prep Magic: Portion chili into individual containers for quick, nutritious lunches or dinners throughout the week. The flavors will continue to develop, making each serving even more delicious.

Hearty Chicken Chili With Pumpkin Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken chili with pumpkin brings warmth to autumn dinner tables with robust Mexican-inspired flavors. Spicy, comforting ingredients blend seamlessly, providing a perfect meal you’ll savor through crisp seasonal evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground chicken
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
• 1 (14 oz/400 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14 oz/400 g) can white beans, drained
• ½ small pumpkin (Hokkaido or red kuri squash), seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• Black pepper, to taste
• Chipotle pepper flakes, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) cream (20% fat)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Uniformly dice pumpkin into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely mince garlic and chop onion, celery, and carrots into consistent small pieces.
2. Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium temperature. Add pumpkin cubes, caramelizing edges until golden brown for 4-5 minutes.
3. Aromatic Development: Introduce minced garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Stir and cook until vegetables release their fragrant essence, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, chipotle pepper flakes, and cumin. Thoroughly blend spices with vegetables.
5. Protein Integration: Add ground chicken, crumbling into small pieces. Cook until meat transforms to a rich golden color and loses pink hue, roughly 6-7 minutes.
6. Liquid Composition: Pour chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and drained white beans. Gently combine ingredients, ensuring comprehensive integration.
7. Simmering Process: Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 25-35 minutes, stirring periodically until liquid condenses and texture thickens.
8. Finishing Touch: Incorporate cream during final cooking moments, creating a luxurious, silky consistency. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if required.
9. Serving: Transfer chili into warm bowls. Embellish with desired garnishes and serve immediately while steaming hot.

Notes

• Precision Cubing: Cut pumpkin and vegetables into uniform 1/2-inch pieces to ensure consistent cooking and texture throughout the chili.
• Aromatics Awakening: Sauté vegetables slowly to release their natural sugars and develop a deep, rich flavor foundation for the dish.
• Spice Distribution Technique: Mix spices thoroughly before adding meat to create an even, balanced flavor profile in every bite.
• Simmering Secret: Allow chili to simmer covered on low heat, stirring occasionally to develop depth and let flavors meld perfectly while preventing burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 325
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg