Pumpkin Butter Chicken | Creamy Fall Comfort Food

Introduction

There’s no better way to welcome fall than with a rich, aromatic dish that brings creamy comfort to your table. This Pumpkin Butter Chicken is a cozy twist on the classic, blending tender chicken, fragrant spices, and velvety pumpkin puree for a meal that’s as flavorful as it is satisfying. The pumpkin adds subtle sweetness and depth, transforming this dish into a true seasonal showstopper ideal for family dinners or festive gatherings.

Why Pumpkin Butter Chicken Is a Must-Make

Pumpkin Butter Chicken stands out by marrying the creamy, spiced sauce you love with the natural earthiness of pumpkin. The result is an unexpectedly delicious, perfectly balanced dish that’s both comforting and packed with autumn flavor. It’s an easy way to elevate your meal rotation and impress guests with a fresh take on a beloved favorite.

The Secret to a Creamy, Flavorful Sauce

The key to this dish is slow-simmered sauce, accented with classic butter chicken spices—think garam masala, cumin, and ginger—melded with luscious pumpkin puree. Heavy cream rounds out the sauce for indulgent silkiness, while a splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire dish. The sauce thickens perfectly, clinging to every bite for a satisfying, full-bodied mouthfeel.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Butter Chicken

Serve your Pumpkin Butter Chicken over fluffy basmati rice, soft naan, or with a hearty side of roasted fall vegetables. For a festive touch, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds. With its gorgeous orange hue and rich aroma, this dish not only tastes incredible but looks beautiful on the dinner table.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each plate typically contains 400–450 calories, depending on the amount of sauce and sides. You’ll get plenty of protein from the chicken and added vitamin A from the pumpkin—making it a wholesome option for any fall meal.

Pumpkin Butter Chicken | Creamy Fall Comfort Food (Recap)

Pumpkin Butter Chicken is autumnal comfort on a plate—creamy, spiced, and undeniably crowd-pleasing. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy pumpkin in a savory, flavorful way that reinvents a beloved classic for the colder months.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with every ingredient sorted by grocery aisle—it’s the ideal shortcut for easy meal planning and efficient shopping.

Instructions

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and onions to the same skillet. Sauté until onions are soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add pumpkin puree and tomato sauce. Stir to combine, then simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors deepen.
5. Return chicken (and any juices) to the pan. Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
6. Finish with lemon juice and check seasonings. Adjust salt or spice to taste.
7. Serve hot, topped with fresh cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds if desired, over rice or with naan.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Pumpkin Butter Chicken is meal planning magic—it keeps well and flavors deepen overnight, making it perfect for prepping ahead. Save and schedule this recipe in your CookifyAI meal planner to coordinate your dinners for the week. The app will automatically add all ingredients to your shopping list, organize items by store aisle, and even combine overlapping ingredients with other recipes.

Planning Benefits:

– Instantly creates a grocery list for all your planned recipes
– Combines and organizes ingredients by category for faster shopping
– Ensures you buy exactly what you need—no more missed items or duplicate purchases
– Streamlines weekly meal prep and helps reduce food waste

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes in advance to uncover ingredient overlaps, so you can streamline your shopping, cut costs, and maximize efficiency every week.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes