Featuring a coconut-based curry sauce with sweet pumpkin, tender chicken, plump golden raisins, and toasted coconut, this Pumpkin Curry is a real feast for the taste buds and guaranteed to be a hit!
Many years ago when we had an excess of pumpkins from the garden I was getting creative developing all kinds of pumpkin recipes. This Pumpkin Curry with Chicken and Coconut recipe was one of the end results. Sweet coconut curry sauce dotted with golden raisins and sprinkled with toasted coconut is the base for this chicken and pumpkin dish served with steamed Basmati rice. The first time I made it, I don’t think I had ever seen our 18 month old eat so fast before! When we sat down to dinner, I spread out some of the pumpkin and chicken with some rice, all laced with that yummy sweet curry sauce, and boy did she go to town! I kept refilling her tray faster than I could eat myself. I gave myself a pat on the back and smiled that smile of happy mothers of healthy-fed babies. This dish has remained a family favorite ever since. This Pumpkin Curry is easy to prepare. It’s also a quick dish if you prepare the pumpkin in advance. I say that because it took nearly 20 minutes just to peel the tough and irksome rind off the pumpkin in order to dice it! Be very careful not to cut yourself when you do it. So cut the pumpkin into big slices, peel it, and cube it in advance (keep it in the fridge for up to a couple of days), and the rest of the prep work will take you all of 5 minutes. Quick and easy, this Pumpkin Curry produces stunningly delicious and visually appealing results!
Pumpkin Curry Recipe
Let’s get started! Peel and cut the pumpkin it into 1/2 inch cubes. Heat the butter in a Dutch oven (I use and love Lodge) or pot over medium-high heat and saute the onions until tender and translucent, about 6-7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink.
Add the curry powder (and yes, that’s TABLEspoons – none of this “1-2 teaspoons” jazz!) and apricot or peach jam and stir to combine. Cook for another minute. (I like this curry powder but for the absolute BEST flavor, make our incredible homemade Curry Powder!) Add the flour and stir to combine.
Add the chicken broth, salt, and the coconut milk and stir to combine. Increase the heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened. Add the pumpkin and raisins and stir to combine.
Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is soft but not mushy. To toast the shredded coconut, heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat and toast the coconut until it’s golden brown.
Serve with steamed Basmati rice or naan bread and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Enjoy!
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet November 4, 2013 Read more about me…
