Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Soup: A Cozy Fall Crockpot Meal

Warm up with this delicious creamy pumpkin chicken soup, perfect for a cozy fall evening.

This hearty recipe is a fantastic addition to your fall crockpot soups, offering comfort and flavor in every spoonful. It’s a simple, set-it-and-forget-it meal that brings the best of autumn to your dinner table with minimal effort.

This recipe is designed for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you crave something wholesome and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the hard work, melding the flavors into a rich, creamy texture that everyone will love.

Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker)

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• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

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Description

Warm up with this delicious creamy pumpkin chicken soup, perfect for a cozy fall evening. This hearty recipe is a fantastic addition to your fall crockpot soups, offering comfort and flavor in every spoonful. It’s a simple, set-it-and-forget-it meal that brings the best of autumn to your dinner table with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried sage

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Combine Initial Ingredients: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the pumpkin puree, undrained diced tomatoes, chopped yellow onion, and minced garlic over the chicken.

3. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, dried sage, and ground nutmeg. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the ingredients around the chicken.

4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and very tender, easily shreddable with a fork.

5. Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete and the chicken is tender, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

6. Stir in Cream and Finish: Pour the heavy cream into the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and soup mixture. Stir well to incorporate the cream evenly. Allow the soup to heat through for another 15-20 minutes on the HIGH setting, or until it’s warmed to your desired temperature and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

7. Serve Warm: Ladle the creamy pumpkin chicken soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired, and serve immediately.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-8 hours
• Category: main dish
• Method: slow cooker
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken, pumpkin, soup, creamy, fall, comfort food, easy, weeknight, meal prep

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This creamy pumpkin chicken soup is a true lifesaver for anyone looking for a hearty, comforting meal that practically cooks itself. It’s perfect for busy parents, students, or anyone who appreciates the magic of a slow cooker. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal hands-on time. You can toss everything into the crockpot in the morning and come home to a warm, inviting aroma and a delicious dinner ready to serve. It’s also incredibly versatile, easily adaptable to different dietary needs or ingredient availability. This soup is especially wonderful on a crisp fall evening, providing warmth from the inside out, making it an ideal choice for family dinners, potlucks, or even meal prepping for the week ahead.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this creamy pumpkin chicken soup is straightforward, focusing on common pantry staples and fresh produce. The list is designed to be accessible and budget-friendly, ensuring you can whip up this comforting meal without a special trip to multiple stores.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a richer, more tender texture. If heavy cream isn’t on hand, full-fat coconut milk can be used for a dairy-free alternative, though it will impart a subtle coconut flavor. Feel free to use fresh herbs instead of dried; just remember that fresh herbs are generally more potent, so you might need to adjust the quantity (typically, 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs for every 1 teaspoon of dried). For the chicken broth, low-sodium options are great for controlling the overall saltiness of the soup, allowing you to season to your preference.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of this creamy pumpkin chicken soup is its low-effort time commitment. The slow cooker handles most of the work, making it an ideal choice for busy days.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low
• Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (depending on slow cooker setting)

This allows for flexibility in your schedule. You can set it up in the morning before work and have dinner ready when you get home, or prepare it in the afternoon for an evening meal.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy pumpkin chicken soup in your slow cooker is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Combine Initial Ingredients: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the pumpkin puree, undrained diced tomatoes, chopped yellow onion, and minced garlic over the chicken.
3. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, dried sage, and ground nutmeg. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the ingredients around the chicken.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and very tender, easily shreddable with a fork.
5. Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete and the chicken is tender, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
6. Stir in Cream and Finish: Pour the heavy cream into the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and soup mixture. Stir well to incorporate the cream evenly. Allow the soup to heat through for another 15-20 minutes on the HIGH setting, or until it’s warmed to your desired temperature and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
7. Serve Warm: Ladle the creamy pumpkin chicken soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired, and serve immediately.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy pumpkin chicken soup is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a little extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings. If you like a smokier flavor, a teaspoon of smoked paprika can be a wonderful addition. To boost the vegetable content, feel free to toss in some chopped carrots, celery, or even a handful of spinach during the last hour of cooking.

For serving, this soup pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. A crusty baguette or some warm dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup. For a more substantial meal, consider serving it with a grilled cheese sandwich or a quesadilla. Kids often enjoy this soup, especially if you blend it until completely smooth before adding the shredded chicken; they might not even realize they’re eating pumpkin! For a party or buffet, keep the soup warm in the slow cooker and set out a toppings bar with options like croutons, a swirl of sour cream or Greek yogurt, extra fresh herbs, or even some crumbled bacon.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple slow cooker recipes can have a few common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help ensure your creamy pumpkin chicken soup turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent mistake is using pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree. These are not interchangeable! Pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced, which will drastically alter the flavor profile of your savory soup. Always double-check the can label to ensure you’re grabbing pure pumpkin puree.

Another common issue is overcooking the chicken. While slow cookers are forgiving, chicken breasts can become dry and stringy if cooked for too long, especially on the high setting. Stick to the recommended cooking times and check for doneness around the lower end of the range. The chicken should shred easily with a fork but still be moist.

Not seasoning adequately is another oversight. While the recipe provides a starting point for salt and pepper, tastes vary. It’s crucial to taste the soup after the cream has been added and it has heated through. Adjust the salt, pepper, and other spices as needed. Sometimes a little extra salt can really make the flavors pop.

Finally, adding the heavy cream too early can sometimes lead to curdling if the heat is too high for too long after its addition. It’s best to stir in the heavy cream towards the end of the cooking process, allowing it just enough time to heat through and meld with the other flavors without being subjected to prolonged high heat. This ensures a smooth, creamy texture.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This creamy pumpkin chicken soup is fantastic for meal prepping and stores wonderfully, making it an excellent choice for leftovers.

To store any leftover soup, allow it to cool completely at room temperature (no longer than two hours). Once cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Portion the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace if using containers, as liquids expand when frozen. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator.

To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If reheating from the refrigerator, you can also use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in increments, stirring in between, until hot. If the soup seems too thick after reheating, you can add a splash of chicken broth or even a little milk or cream to reach your desired consistency. The texture generally holds up very well, remaining creamy and delicious even after freezing and thawing.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.