Photo Credit: Drizzle Me Skinny.
If you’re craving a cozy, flavorful dish with minimal effort, Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry is the perfect solution. This recipe combines tender chicken, creamy coconut milk, and pumpkin for a warm, hearty meal that feels like fall in a bowl. The best part? It’s Weight Watchers-friendly at just 3 points per serving! You simply toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do all the work while you go about your day. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner or something to meal-prep for the week, this curry checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
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For Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry, a warm and flavorful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients: for the sauce, mix ยฝ cup of coconut milk (120 ml), the juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons or 30 ml), 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (30 ml), 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (15 ml), 2 tablespoons of red curry paste (30 g), and season with salt and pepper to taste. For the curry, you’ll need 1 lb (450 g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 cups of cubed pumpkin (about 350 g), 1 red bell pepper sliced and divided into two halves, 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves (about 60 g), and 2 tablespoons of cashews, which are optional for garnish. Combine these ingredients in a slow cooker and enjoy a simple, flavorful curry perfect for any day.
Prepare the Sauce
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In the slow cooker, combine the coconut milk, lime juice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and red curry paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring well until the curry paste is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Add Chicken and Vegetables
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Carefully place the chicken breasts into the sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. Add the pumpkin cubes and half of the sliced red bell pepper, spreading them evenly over the chicken for an even cook.
Slow Cook
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Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 4 hours. For a slower, more gradual cook, set it to low for 6-8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Add Spinach and Peppers
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About 10 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir in the fresh spinach leaves and the remaining sliced red bell pepper. Gently mix to incorporate, keeping the peppers crisp and the spinach vibrant.
Serve
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Once the cooking is finished, taste the curry and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve the hot curry, garnished with cashews if desired, alongside steamed white rice for a comforting meal. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
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One of the great things about Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry is its versatility. For a lighter version, swap out the coconut milk for Greek yogurt; just be sure to add half a cup of broth to the slow cooker and mix in the yogurt at the end of cooking. You can also customize the vegetables to suit your taste; I love adding broccoli, carrots, and even mushrooms, which not only enhance the flavor and texture but also boost the nutrient content of the dish. While I typically use red curry paste for its bold flavor, feel free to substitute green curry paste if thatโs what you have on hand.
Tips and Tricks for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry
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For convenience, use canned pumpkin puree ย to save timeโthis shortcut eliminates the hassle of peeling and chopping fresh pumpkin, which can be quite time-consuming. If you prefer fresh pumpkin, ensure your knife is sharp to make the prep work easier. To enhance the texture, add peppers and spinach in stages; start by adding half of the bell peppers at the beginning, then stir in the remaining peppers and spinach just before serving to keep the peppers crisp and the spinach bright green. While the curry is delicious on its own, consider pairing it with steamed white rice for a complete meal; for a lighter option, cauliflower rice works wonderfully. You can also customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of curry paste; start with a small amount if you prefer a milder flavor, and gradually increase to taste. Lastly, this recipe is perfect for meal prep; assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before, store it in the fridge, and in the morning, simply pop the insert into the slow cooker, set the timer, and youโre ready to go!
