Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken

Name: Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large (1/2 lb.)boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1" pieces); 1 medium onion; 2 medium carrots; 3 cloves garlic; 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger*; 1 tablespoon ground turmeric; 1 cup cubed kabocha squash; 1 red bell pepper; 8 ounces green beans (trimmed and cut into 2" pieces); 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste; 13.5 ounces full fat coconut milk; 1 cup water; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; Cooked rice or quinoa (optional)

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by Marcie // September 23, 2019 (updated 9/19/21)

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There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly fall day than this Thai Pumpkin Curry! It’s loaded with chicken, veggies and pumpkin in a creamy, flavorful coconut red curry sauce. It always gets rave reviews and it’s so easy to make!

close up of bowl of pumpkin curry over quinoa with a spoon

Happy first day of fall! I’m so excited that it’s officially my favorite season…now if only the weather would cooperate. We’re sweating bullets over here!

It’s not exactly curry weather because it’s so hot, but the heat never stops me. I’ve been making this Thai pumpkin curry behind the scenes for months.

I’m a huge fan of Thai flavors, and make my Thai pasta and Thai zoodles often. This curry, however, has become my all time favorite.

The inspiration for this easy pumpkin curry recipe came from a Thai restaurant that I visited in Layton, Utah with my blogging friends for a conference. My friend and I ordered the pumpkin curry with chicken the first night that we were there, and loved it so much that we went back and had it again 2 nights later.

I can’t get enough of this, and I’m so glad that I’m finally sharing this recipe with you!

pumpkin curry in dutch oven with wooden spoon

I’d never experienced pumpkin curry before I ordered it in on my trip, so it was a real treat. Typically I make coconut curry chicken with whatever veggies that I have on hand, but now I can’t imagine not adding pumpkin. It adds so much flavor!

This chicken pumpkin curry is packed with tender chunks of chicken, along with loads of veggies in a flavorful Thai coconut curry broth. It’s so creamy and hearty, and is perfect served as is, or over coconut rice or quinoa.

What kind of pumpkin should I use for pumpkin curry?

My favorite variety of pumpkin for this dish is kabocha squash, which is a Japanese pumpkin. It’s dark green in color, and it’s a bit sweeter and starchier than ordinary pumpkin.

The best part about kabocha squash is that the peel is edible, so no peeling is required! The peel also adds a nice texture that I love. For more information, see my post on kabocha squash.

You can certainly use your favorite variety of pumpkin or even butternut squash, but they will require peeling.

How to cut and prep kabocha squash

I suggest using a paring knife to cut the pumpkin in half as it’s so much easier (and safer!) working with a shorter blade
Scoop out the seeds
Place the pumpkin cut-side down on a cutting board and cut into slices, then cut into 1″ cubes

overhead shot of thai pumpkin curry with quinoa in a bowl

How to make this recipe

Prep all of your ingredients before you begin cooking as this recipe goes very quickly.

Cook the chicken in a large pot or Dutch oven until cooked through. Remove from heat and cover loosely with foil.
In the same pot, cook the onion and carrots for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric and cook 30 seconds.
Add the pumpkin, bell pepper and green beans, and sauté 1 minute.
Add the chicken back to the pot, along with the red curry paste, coconut milk and water, and stir well to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and cook 10-15 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Remove from heat and add the lime juice, cilantro, and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Recipe notes

* Store your fresh ginger root in the freezer in a zip top bag, and grate with a Microplane grater right into your curry peel and all!
Customize this pumpkin curry with your favorite pumpkin or winter squash and vegetables.
Prep your veggies in advance, or prep the entire dish ahead. Curry is even better as leftovers, so it’s great for meal prep and freezes very well.
Omit the curry for vegan pumpkin curry.
Make this recipe low FODMAP by omitting the onion and garlic.

pumpkin curry in a bowl with quinoa and a spoon

More savory pumpkin recipes you’ll love:

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or snap a photo and tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!