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    Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

    Pumpkin Chicken Soup with Rice

    Published: Mar 5, 2021 by Janessa

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Made with minimal effort and ingredients, this chicken pumpkin soup recipe is proof that simple ingredients can taste spectacular. Made entirely in one pot, this soup has a very mild pumpkin flavor and creamy texture that even the picky eater in your house will likely enjoy.

    Jump to:
    • The Ingredients
    • The Method
    • Leftover Storage
    • Make it Your Own!
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Dietary Notes
    • And if you liked this...
    • Pumpkin Chicken Soup
    • Comments
    Bowl of steaming pumpkin soup topped with green onions

    When the time of year rolls around, pull out your cozy sweaters, put on your warm socks, grab your favorite soup pot and get ready to embrace soup season!

    One of my favorite parts about living in a colder climate is the way it makes a hearty meal taste extra comforting.

    On a cold and dark evening, my favorite thing is curling up with a warm bowl of delicious soup.

    And since winter is long, I have a few go to's (like Chicken Pot Pie Soup and Potato Soup) but this pumpkin chicken soup is definitely high on my list of favorites.

    This extremely quick recipe requires very little prep, is made with a few simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store and has a delightfully creamy texture without any heavy cream.

    Next time you're craving a delicious dish of pure comfort, this chicken pumpkin soup is calling your name!

    The Ingredients

    Ingredients for chicken pumpkin soup set out on a cutting board.
    • Olive Oil- Butter, avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil also work.
    • Yellow Onion- You can use a red onion.
    • Red Bell Pepper- Or feel free to use a different colour.
    • Garlic- You could substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
    • Water- Add more or less depending on the thickness that you want. For a little extra flavor, you can make this with chicken stock or vegetable broth instead.
    • Canned Pumpkin Purée- Be sure to use Pure Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling!). You need one 398mL can (14 oz) or half of a 796mL can (28 oz) for this soup. If you'd like, you can use homemade instead. Or substitute pureed butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a bit of a different flavor profile. You need about 1 and ½ cups of puree.
    • Corn- You can use canned, frozen or fresh.
    • Long Grain Brown Rice- I find long grain brown rice holds its shape the best in this recipe. However, you can use long grain white rice instead (I had to the day I took these photos because I was out of brown!) but it can end up getting a bit more overcooked.
    • Chicken Breasts- Boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work. If you would like to make this with leftover rotisserie chicken, simply dice or shred it and add it at the end.
    • Sea Salt- Taste and add more if needed at the end.
    • Black Pepper

    The Method

    1. Sauté vegetables. Add the olive oil to a large pot and sauté the onion and bell pepper over medium heat with salt and pepper until softened. Stir in the garlic.

    Onions and peppers in a pot.

    2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer. Add the water, pumpkin, corn and rice and stir until well combined and smooth. Once combined, add the chicken, cover and allow to simmer. Stir every 5-10 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure that the rice isn’t sticking to it.

    3. Remove and shred chicken. Once the chicken is cooked through (165 F), use a fork or slotted spoon and remove it to a deep bowl. To shred it, I recommend using a hand mixer- trust me, it works so well!! Alternatively, you can shred it with two forks, your fingers (once it has cooled a bit) or simply cut it into bite size pieces.

    4. Return shredded chicken to the soup and stir. Allow to cook for 1-2 additional minutes to reheat the chicken.

    Top view of a pot of soup with a wooden spoon

    5. Serve.

    Leftover Storage

    To Store: Store leftover chicken pumpkin soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

    To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through. The soup will thicken as it sits, so you might want to stir in a bit of water (1-2 tablespoons).

    Top view of a bowl of pumpkin soup with visible pieces of peppers, corn and rice

    Make it Your Own!

    • Use Less Rice-  I used to make this soup with just ½ cup of rice but I find that I prefer the ratio of rice in the soup with 1 cup better. If you would like to make it with just ½ cup of rice, reduce the water to 5 cups. Or you can omit the rice completely and use 4 cups of water.
    • Make it Vegan- The chicken can be omitted if preferred. A can of white or black beans would be a good add to this simple pumpkin soup!
    • Add more veges! You could definitely increase the amount of onion, peppers or corn. Or add other vegetables. Some that would be tasty additions:
      • Spinach- stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end when adding the chicken back in until it is wilted, about 1-2 minutes
      • Peas- Stir in ½ cup (or more) of frozen peas in the last 10 minutes of cooking
      • Carrots- Add thinly sliced carrots at the same time as the water, pumpkin, etc.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Toppings:
      • Stir in a splash of coconut milk or some Greek yogurt for extra creaminess
      • Garnish with some green onions or other fresh herbs
      • Add some crunch with Crispy Roasted Chickpeas, Homemade Croutons or tortilla chips
      • Give it a splash of hot sauce
    • Sides:
      • Turkey Pesto Sandwiches
      • Honey Oat Bread
      • Baked Herb Tomato Zucchini
    • Or for even more ideas of what to serve with this easy pumpkin soup, check out this list of 30 Perfect Sides to Serve with Pumpkin Soup (Plus Toppings!)
    Bowl of soup topped with a biscuit

    Dietary Notes

    If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Nut Free
    • Paleo - if you omit the corn and rice
    • Vegetarian/Vegan - if you omit the chicken

    And if you liked this...

    ...you might also like:

    • Tikka Masala Soup
    • Quick Chicken Potato Skillet
    • Cajun Chicken Sheet Pan (With Honey Butter)

    Pumpkin Chicken Soup

    Simple ingredients turn into something extraordinary in this thick and creamy pumpkin soup recipe.
    5 from 41 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 270kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion diced, about 1 cup
    • 1 red bell pepper diced, about 1 cup
    • 1 and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ½ cup corn
    • 1 cup long grain brown rice
    • 14 oz can pure pumpkin
    • 6-8 cups water
    • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2
    US Customary - Metric
    (Prevent your screen from going dark)

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion, red pepper, sea salt and black pepper and sauté until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    • Stir in the water, pumpkin, corn and rice until well combined. Add chicken, cover and simmer on low for about 30 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes or so to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom.
    • When the chicken is cooked through, turn the soup to low and remove the chicken to a deep bowl. Shred using a hand mixer. Alternatively, you can shred it with two forks or cut it into bite sized pieces.
    • Return the chicken to the pot and stir to combine. If you would like the soup to be thinner, you can stir in 1-2 more cups of water.
    • Serve hot, topped with green onions.

    Notes

    Leftovers
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave. The soup will thicken as it sits so you may need to stir in additional water if desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 10974IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

    More Delicious Soups!

    • Top view of a bowl of chili in a grey dish topped with sliced avocado.
      One Pot Turkey Chili
    • Potato Soup (Gluten Free)
    • Simple Cherry Tomato Soup
    • 30 Perfect Sides to Serve with Pumpkin Soup (Plus Toppings!)
    « Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
    Lemon Herb Rice »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Jillian

      February 07, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this soup because I said I was craving something "fall like" and I was told to try this and WOW I am hooked. It is so perfect for a chilly fall day soup because it tastes like fall.
      It is easy to make, and so healthy- skip the pumpkin spice latte and have some soup.. you won't regret it!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        February 08, 2022 at 8:26 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jillian! Thank you for your kind review!

        Reply
    2. Shelby

      October 05, 2022 at 8:04 am

      5 stars
      I love the flavor in this pumpkin soup, it's so comforting for cooler days!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        October 05, 2022 at 9:54 am

        Thank you for your kind comment!

        Reply
    3. Nancy

      October 06, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      I had lots of extra pumpkin at home and this was a great way to use it up. Very tasty comfy recipe too!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        October 06, 2022 at 5:58 pm

        I'm glad you liked this recipe, Nancy!

        Reply
    4. Donny

      October 06, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      I had a can of pumpkin sitting in my pantry forever so I tried this and it was fantastic!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        October 06, 2022 at 5:57 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Donny!

        Reply
    5. ChihYu

      October 06, 2022 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Fall in a bowl! Delicious and comforting! Love that it's so easy to make!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        October 07, 2022 at 7:58 am

        Thank you for your kind comments, ChihYu.

        Reply
    6. Stacey

      October 09, 2022 at 10:40 am

      5 stars
      I love how thick, hearty & flavorful the pumpkin is in this tasty chicken and rice soup. The pumpkin is a great addition for Fall.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        October 10, 2022 at 4:03 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Stacey!

        Reply

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    Janessa

    Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

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