Description
This **Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Chili** is cozy, hearty, and bursting with autumn flavor. With shredded chicken, pumpkin puree, white beans, warm spices, and a creamy base of Greek yogurt or cream cheese, it’s the perfect fall comfort food. Easy to make on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or Instant Pot, this recipe is nutritious, freezer-friendly, and endlessly adaptable — serve it with crusty bread, tortilla chips, or even inside a hollowed pumpkin for a festive twist!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb cooked chicken (shredded or chopped, rotisserie works well)
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cream cheese or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional add-ins: corn, bell peppers, spinach, jalapeños
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, green onions
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Build the base: Add chicken, pumpkin puree, beans, broth, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Make it creamy: Lower heat and stir in cream cheese or Greek yogurt until fully melted and chili is creamy.
- Simmer & serve: Simmer for 10–15 minutes to blend flavors. Adjust seasoning and serve hot with toppings of choice.
Notes
- For a spicy version, add jalapeños, chipotle in adobo, or cayenne pepper.
- For vegetarian, omit chicken and add lentils, quinoa, or extra beans.
- Dairy-free option: use coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt instead of cream cheese.
- Serving idea: ladle into a hollowed roasted pumpkin for a stunning autumn centerpiece.
- Leftovers keep 4–5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Soups & Stews, Fall Recipes
- Method: Stovetop, Crock Pot, Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Chili, Fall Chili Recipe, White Pumpkin Chili, Cozy Autumn Dinners, Healthy Fall Recipes