The Nessy Kitchen

  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Meal Plan
  • Recipe Index
  • Meals
  • Oat Flour Recipes
  • Snacks
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Meal Plan
  • Recipe Index
  • Meals
  • Oat Flour Recipes
  • Snacks
  • About
×
  • Salmon in a bowl with rice, cucumber, carrots and edamame.
    Teriyaki Salmon Bowl
  • Spoon dishing black beans out of a bowl.
    12+ Delicious Recipes to Make with Black Beans
  • Stack of chocolate chip cookies made with oat flour.
    Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Granola bars on a cutting board.
    33+ Tasty Recipes Using Oats
  • Rice and shrimp on a plate with green peas.
    6+ Healthy Dinner Recipes with Shrimp
  • Teriyaki baked salmon on a plate with rice.
    Honey Teriyaki Baked Salmon
  • Sourdough French toast on a plate with fruit.
    14+ Scrumptious Mother's Day Brunch Ideas
  • Peanut butter cookies on a cooling rack.
    12+ Delicious Ways to Use Natural Peanut Butter
  • Tomato basil chicken and rice on a plate.
    14+ Healthy Dinner Recipes with Chicken
  • Chocolate baked oatmeal in a ramekin with a spoon.
    7+ Chocolate Recipes You Could Totally Have for Breakfast!
  • Plantain chips in a bowl.
    Air Fryer Plantain Chips
  • Sandwich being dipped into a bowl of soup.
    7+ Perfect Sandwiches to Serve with a Bowl of Soup
Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

Pumpkin Chicken Soup with Rice

Last Modified: Mar 4, 2025 by Janessa.

↓ Jump to 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
  • And if you liked this...
  • Recipe Card
  • 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
    • One of these 7+ Perfect Sandwiches to Serve with a Bowl of Soup
  • 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.

LET ME PLAN YOUR DINNERS! Join my email list and receive My FREE Meal Plan (Including Grocery List!) as a gift>>>

And if you liked this...

...you might also like:

  • Tikka Masala Soup
  • Quick Chicken Potato Skillet
  • Pumpkin Rice
  • Pumpkin Oat Flour Muffins (Gluten Free)
  • Garlic Lemon Vegetable Soup (One Pot)

Recipe Card

Bowl of pumpkin soup topped with green onions.

Pumpkin Chicken Soup

Simple ingredients turn into something extraordinary in this thick and creamy pumpkin soup recipe.
5 from 42 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!

  • Vegetable soup in a bowl with a spoon.
    Garlic Lemon Vegetable Soup (One Pot)
  • Bowl of cherry tomato soup with a spoon.
    Simple Cherry Tomato Soup
  • Bowl of chicken tikka masala with a side of naan and garnished with cilantro.
    One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala (With Coconut Milk)
  • Bowl of slow cooker buffalo chili topped with tortilla chips and avocado.
    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
« Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
Lemon Herb Rice »

Comments

    5 from 42 votes (35 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jillian says

    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 says

      February 08, 2022 at 8:26 pm

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

      Reply
  2. Shelby says

    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 says

      October 05, 2022 at 9:54 am

      Thank you for your kind comment!

      Reply
  3. Nancy says

    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 says

      October 06, 2022 at 5:58 pm

      I'm glad you liked this recipe, Nancy!

      Reply
  4. Donny says

    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 says

      October 06, 2022 at 5:57 pm

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

      Reply
  5. ChihYu says

    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 says

      October 07, 2022 at 7:58 am

      Thank you for your kind comments, ChihYu.

      Reply
  6. Stacey says

    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 says

      October 10, 2022 at 4:03 pm

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Stacey!

      Reply
  7. Allison says

    January 23, 2024 at 11:34 am

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      January 23, 2024 at 3:02 pm

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Allison!

      Reply
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!

More about me →

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Policies and Disclaimer
  • Blogging Resources

More

  • Web Stories
  • Kitchen Tips and Info
  • Buy Dinner: Solved - A Complete 4 Week Meal Plan

Contact

  • Contact
  • Instagram
  • Subscribe!

Copyright © 2020-2025 The Nessy Kitchen Inc.

Content shared on The Nessy Kitchen is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or health advice. Before acting on any information presented here, please consult with a qualified health care professional.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let me know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked exactly as written, thanks!
We absolutely loved this!
I'll be making this again and again!
I'm so glad I tried this recipe!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.