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Home / Recipes

Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry

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By: Madeline Tague

Updated: December 1, 2025

This site may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry is a delicious and savory pumpkin curry recipe made with flavorful spices, pureed pumpkin, and creamy coconut milk. Use your leftover canned pumpkin in this healthy chicken curry!

Above view of pumpkin curry in tupperware with white rice and crispy veggies

30 minutes

Beginner-friendly

You’ll Learn: How to make a comforting fall chicken curry

Worth It: It’s an all-in-one, balanced meal

Bonus: Easily adapted for various diets and preferences

Three quarter view of pumpkin curry in a frying pan with a wooden spoon in it.

Use your leftover pumpkin puree for a savory pumpkin curry recipe

This pumpkin coconut chicken curry is the perfect way to use any leftover pumpkin puree. Just take the pumpkin and mix it with savory spices, chicken and a creamy coconut milk for a healthy chicken curry.

This warm and creamy, yet spicy curry is a wonderful meal to welcome those cold fall nights. I serve this pumpkin coconut curry with cauliflower rice or regular rice depending on my mood and whether or not I am on the Whole30.

You can also make this recipe fully vegan with 2 cans of chickpeas instead of chicken!

Check out these other healthy pumpkin recipes

  • Spicy Pumpkin One Pot Pasta
  • Healthy Pumpkin Chicken Chili
  • Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies
Three quarter view of pumpkin coconut chicken curry in a bowl with white rice

What kitchen tools will I need to make this Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry?

  • Measuring spoons
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring cups
  • Can opener
  • Large frying pan
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden mixing spoon
Above view of pumpkin coconut curry in a pan with a wooden spoon

What ingredients do I need to make this healthy pumpkin curry recipe?

  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Avocado oil
  • Chicken breast or chickpeas
  • Full fat coconut milk
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Ground ginger
  • Ground turmeric
  • Cumin
  • Cinnamon
  • Black pepper
  • Salt
  • Chili powder
  • Optional: arrowroot starch

Can I use regular dairy instead?

Yes! If you want to use regular dairy you can use unsalted butter and heavy cream in place of ghee and full fay coconut milk.

Three quarter view of pumpkin curry in a pan with a wooden spoon

How to make pumpkin curry

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

First, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and mix spices together in a small mixing bowl. Then, cube the chicken into bite size pieces.

Step 2: Saute onions, garlic and spices

Next, add avocado oil to a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and saute until fragrant about 3 minutes. Then, add the spice mixture to the pan and toast the spices with the onion and garlic for a minute.

Step 3: Saute Chicken

Next, increase the heat to medium and add the chicken in the pan with the onions, garlic and spices. Saute the chicken tossing frequently until almost fully cooked about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Simmer in sauce and thicken

Then, combine pumpkin puree and coconut milk in a small mixing bowl. Pour into the frying pan and increase heat. Cook until the mixture bubbles. Then, reduce to a simmer.

Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes. Optional step to thicken sauce: While simmering combine 1/4 cup of water with 1 tbsp arrowroot starch. Pour mixture in pan and stir mixture until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and enjoy!

Step 5: Enjoy!

Three quarter view of pumpkin chicken curry in a bowl with rice

Can I make this pumpkin curry vegetarian?

Yes, just replace the chicken with 2 cans of chickpeas and you will be left with a fully vegan recipe!

How long will this pumpkin coconut curry last in the fridge?

Once prepared, store this Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

What should I serve this with?

I like to serve this pumpkin curry with fluffy white rice or coconut rice and roasted veggies! I love to make a batch of crispy air fryer brussles sprouts and serve them in the same bowl as the curry.

Check Out These Other Comforting Skillet Dishes

  • Shrimp Curry
  • Butter Chicken
  • Chicken Tikka Meatballs
  • Chili Lime Poached Salmon

Keep reading to grab the full recipe for the curry. If you make this recipe please leave a rating and review in the comments or let me know on Instagram.

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

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Recipe

Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry

4.97 from 31 votes
A healthy one pan chicken curry made with creamy pumkin puree!
Recipe By: Madeline Tague
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 20 minutes minutes
Print Review Pin It SaveSaved!
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can full fat coconut milk 15oz
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • Optional: 1/4 cup water
  • Optional: 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
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Instructions

  • Dice yellow onion, mince garlic, and combine all seasonings in a small mixing bowl
  • Then cube chicken
  • Heat avocado oil, onion, and garlic in a large frying pan over medium-low heat
  • Saute until fragrant about 3 minutes
  • Add spices to the pan and toast for about a minute
  • Increase heat to medium and add chicken to the pan
  • Toss chicken to coat in spices and saute until almost fully cooked about 6 minutes
  • While the chicken cooks mix together pumpkin puree and coconut milk in a small mixing bowl
  • Pour sauce into pan and increase heat to medium-high until the sauce bubbles
  • Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 8 minutes stirring occasionally
  • Optional step to thicken sauce: combine 1/4 cup water and 1 tbsp arrowroot starch, pour mixture into pan, stir until sauce thickens and coats chicken
  • Remove from heat and enjoy with rice or caulilfower rice and veggies

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4g, Calories: 351kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 15g (30%), Fat: 29g (45%), Saturated Fat: 19g (119%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 36mg (12%), Sodium: 671mg (29%), Potassium: 552mg (16%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 2559IU (51%), Vitamin C: 5mg (6%), Calcium: 49mg (5%), Iron: 5mg (28%)

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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Above view of chickpea pumpkin curry in a bowl with rice
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Madeline Tague

Hi, I’m Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let’s get cooking!
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4.97 from 31 votes

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Recipe Rating




94 responses

  1. Michele
    September 28, 2020

    5 stars
    Yum!!! Boys out of town tonight so made this with chickpeas. Soooooo good!! Perfect combo. Can’t wait until I have the leftovers. Thanks for another great one!!!

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      September 29, 2020

      ooo I am so glad!! I LOVE this recipe with chickpeas!

      Reply
  2. Jenna
    September 17, 2020

    this was my first time making a curry and this recipe made it SO easy! Definitely going to be a meal that I make frequently this fall and winter! chickpea version is delish

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      September 18, 2020

      Yay! Love to hear that! Thank you

      Reply
  3. Nicole
    April 27, 2020

    Has this recipe recently changed? I’ve made it several times in the past as it’s a favorite in my house, and I don’t remember the onions or the step about toasting the spices. Unless quarantine has gotten the best of my brain 😅

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      April 27, 2020

      Hi Nicole!! Yes I updated it!! The old version had you toss the chicken in the spice and cook it like that without onions. I retested and found I liked this way better BUT both ways are delicious and willl work!

      Reply
      1. Nicole
        April 27, 2020

        Thank goodness I’m not crazy lol! Can’t wait to try this way. Thank you 🙂

        Reply
  4. Jo
    April 18, 2020

    5 stars
    Best chicken curry recipe I’ve made to date. We have an old-fashioned leather-bound recipe book where once or twice a year we write by hand a recipe that we really, really, liked. Just finished putting this one in there. The only thing we did differently was add a few chopped mushrooms 4 or 5 mins after the chicken, and, as per another reviewer, sprinkled some kale in. FANTASTIC.

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      April 19, 2020

      AH YAY! Thank you for sharing!!! I’m so honored to have made it into the book!

      Reply
  5. Katie
    April 17, 2020

    5 stars
    This was such an easy recipe- very pantry friendly for this quarantine situation too! My family told me they didn’t like curry and after eating this they asked for this recipe to be put in the regular rotation. I added raw spinach at the end as the sauce was simmering and it was delicious!

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      April 18, 2020

      Ah YAY! I’m so glad!! Love the spinach addition!

      Reply
  6. Sarah
    April 15, 2020

    5 stars
    This was so good! Very easy to make and a great use of pumpkin. I added closer to 1/2 cup to use more of the can. I’ll definitely be making it again!

    Reply
  7. Elle
    April 10, 2020

    Can you make this with chicken thighs?

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      April 10, 2020

      Yes! I think it would be delicious with chicken thighs! Use about 1.5 lbs worth.

      Reply
  8. rainia
    April 8, 2020

    5 stars
    We are obsessed with this dish in our house! It was so easy (i’m new to cooking all the time) to make! The smells were amazing.

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      April 8, 2020

      Ah YAY! I am so glad. I agree it smells SO good while its cooking!

      Reply
  9. Cheyenne
    February 4, 2020

    Absolutely love this recipe!! I have made it both ways and prefer it with chickpeas. It comes together so quick and easy, not a lot of prep!! I’m thankful you share you abilities with us in the gluten free and dairy free community 🙌🏻

    Reply
    1. Cheyenne
      February 4, 2020

      Left out the comment of: it froze and thawed extremely well! Chicken didn’t dry out and chickpeas held up!

      Reply
    2. Madeline
      February 4, 2020

      YAY so glad you love it!!!

      Reply
  10. Misia
    January 23, 2020

    This recipe is amazing! My daughters and I are in love. I am not able to do nightshades and always loved butter chicken; this is the best of both worlds. On repeat at my house! Thank you so much 😊

    Reply
    1. Madeline
      January 24, 2020

      YAY! So glad you’re all enjoying it! and props to you for avoiding nightshades!! I know that it helps my arthritis when I do, but I don’t have the will power!

      Reply
  11. Kristel
    October 13, 2019

    Do you have the nutritional info for this recipe by chance?
    Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Madeleine
    October 11, 2019

    This is one of my favorite fall recipes! I have made it several times, with both chicken and chickpeas. Tonight I mixed in kale and onion!

    Reply
    1. Madeline Tague
      October 11, 2019

      AH that makes me so happy! Love those additions!

      Reply
  13. Aja breuer
    October 2, 2019

    Can this be a freezer meal?

    Reply
    1. Madeline Tague
      October 11, 2019

      I haven’t tried it, but I think it could work! I just worry the chicken would be dry.

      Reply
      1. Laura
        December 30, 2019

        Made this as a freezer meal and as long as you keep the chicken in large pieces prior to freezing, it doesn’t dry out. Even froze it with rice and it reheated perfectly!

        Reply
        1. Madeline
          December 30, 2019

          Yay! Thank you for sharing that Laura!! I am sure it will be helpful to many people!

          Reply
  14. Ashley Jean Bagwell
    September 30, 2019

    Made this tonight and it is absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  15. Kellie
    April 11, 2019

    This looks so delish & I was going to make it last night. However, recipe doesn’t have any curry in the ingredients? Just turmeric? Is that right? I’m no a novice in the kitchen so I didn’t trust myself enough to just go for it with curry & not turmeric. Can you clarify? I’m so eager to eat this! 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Madeline Tague
      April 11, 2019

      Hi Kellie! There are actually lots of spices in the recipe list, not just turmeric. Traditional curry powder is just a blend of different spices so there is no "curry" spice. If you prefer to use curry powder instead of my spice mixture that will work too!

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Madeline – food blogger and recipe developer based just outside Philadelphia. Join me for simple, comforting recipes designed for the whole family. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast, and let’s get to cooking!

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