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 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’d never experienced it before then, so it was a real treat. Typically I make coconut curry chicken or chickpea curry with whatever veggies I have on hand, but now I can’t imagine not adding pumpkin. It adds so much flavor and texture!

pumpkin curry in dutch oven with wooden spoon

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This easy pumpkin curry recipe is packed with tender chunks of chicken, along with loads of veggies in a flavorful Thai coconut curry broth. 
  • It’s creamy and hearty, and is perfect served as is or with coconut rice, quinoa or naan.
  • This recipe is easily customized with your favorite veggies, and the chicken may be swapped out with chickpeas to make it vegan.

What kind of pumpkin should I use for pumpkin curry?

halved kabocha squash

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 it is that the peel is edible. That means no peeling is required, and it also adds a nice, slightly chewy texture that I love. You can certainly use your favorite variety of pumpkin or even butternut squash, but they will require peeling.

See my kabocha squash recipes post, which includes loads of handy information on this delicious variety including how to prep it, choose and store it, and find inspiring ways to use it!

overhead shot of thai pumpkin curry with quinoa in a bowl

How to make this recipe

Pro tip: Prep all of the ingredients for this pumpkin curry recipe 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

  • Pro tip: 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!

overhead shot of thai pumpkin curry with quinoa in a bowl

Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken

Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken is packed with tender chunks of chicken, pumpkin and veggies in a creamy flavorful coconut red curry sauce!  It's an easy weeknight dinner that's great for meal prep and it's freezer friendly!
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large 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

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a plate, then cover loosely with foil.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot. Add the onion and carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric, and sauté 30 seconds.
  • Add the bell pepper, pumpkin and green beans, and sauté 1 minute longer.
  • Add the the chicken back to the pan 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 simmer until the pumpkin is tender and the sauce has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice, cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Nutrition information does not include the rice or quinoa.
  • Pro tip:  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 chicken for vegan pumpkin curry.
  • Make this recipe low FODMAP by omitting the onion and garlic.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 54mg, Potassium: 564mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 5375IU, Vitamin C: 39mg, Calcium: 52mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Thai
Author: Marcie
Keyword: pumpkin curry, pumpkin curry recipe, thai pumpkin curry
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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