This creamy pumpkin chicken skillet recipe is about to become your new favorite fall dinner.
It’s a comforting, hearty meal that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something delicious and homemade on the table. The combination of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, savory pumpkin sauce creates a dish that’s both satisfying and incredibly flavorful.
Imagine a cozy evening, a warm plate of pasta, and the delightful taste of autumn in every bite. This recipe delivers exactly that, with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. It’s designed for ease, ensuring that even on your most hectic days, a wonderful dinner is well within reach for the whole family.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Skillet
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy pumpkin chicken skillet is a comforting, hearty meal that comes together quickly, perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, savory pumpkin sauce for a satisfying and flavorful dish. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s great for families and can be easily adapted.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your chosen pasta according to package directions in a separate pot until al dente. Drain well and set aside. This ensures your pasta is perfectly cooked and ready to be added to the sauce.
2. Sear the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. The browning adds depth of flavor to the chicken.
3. Saute Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Build the Pumpkin Sauce: Pour in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine everything. Add the dried sage, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Add the drained, cooked pasta and stir to coat everything evenly. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and heat through.
6. Stir in Cheese and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated, making the sauce even creamier. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, pumpkin, pasta, skillet, creamy, fall, weeknight, comfort food, easy, dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe truly shines because it’s a one-pan wonder that delivers big on flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for families looking for a comforting, yet quick, meal during the cooler months. The creamy pumpkin sauce is naturally sweet and savory, appealing to both adults and children, making it an excellent way to introduce more vegetables into your family’s diet. You’ll love how the tender chicken breast pairs with the pasta, all coated in that luscious sauce. It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner solution, a cozy meal for a relaxed weekend, or even a delightful option for a casual gathering with friends. The simplicity of the cooking process means less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your meal with loved ones.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this creamy pumpkin chicken skillet is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its accessible components that come together to create something truly special.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne, rotini, or cavatappi)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts if you prefer a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half can work in a pinch, though the sauce might be slightly less rich. Vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian-friendly option (just omit the chicken and add extra veggies like mushrooms or spinach). As for pasta, any short, sturdy pasta shape that can hold the sauce well will work beautifully. Feel free to use your favorite!
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it ideal for those busy evenings when time is of the essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can get this delicious, homemade meal on the table, proving that healthy and flavorful dinners don’t have to take all night.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this creamy pumpkin chicken skillet is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful meal every time.
- Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your chosen pasta according to package directions in a separate pot until al dente. Drain well and set aside. This ensures your pasta is perfectly cooked and ready to be added to the sauce.
- Sear the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. The browning adds depth of flavor to the chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Build the Pumpkin Sauce: Pour in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine everything. Add the dried sage, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Add the drained, cooked pasta and stir to coat everything evenly. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and heat through.
- Stir in Cheese and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated, making the sauce even creamier. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy pumpkin chicken skillet is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can use fun pasta shapes like wagon wheels or alphabet pasta, and perhaps reduce the sage slightly if they’re sensitive to strong herb flavors. Adding a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking is an easy way to boost the vegetable content without altering the flavor profile significantly.
If you want to make this dish heartier, consider adding some sautéed mushrooms or roasted butternut squash cubes along with the chicken. For a touch of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce. This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. It’s also a great option for a potluck or buffet; just keep it warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One common mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, so cook them just until they are no longer pink in the center, then remove them from the skillet. They will finish cooking when they are returned to the sauce. Another slip-up is using pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree. These are very different products; pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced, which will drastically alter the flavor of your savory dish. Always double-check the can label to ensure you have plain pumpkin puree.
When cooking the pasta, make sure to cook it to al dente. Since it will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot sauce, cooking it perfectly initially prevents it from becoming mushy. Finally, don’t be shy about seasoning! Taste the sauce before adding the chicken and pasta, and again at the very end, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. A well-seasoned dish makes all the difference.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy pumpkin chicken skillet is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still delicious and can be stored properly for future meals. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you might find that the sauce has thickened considerably and the pasta has absorbed a lot of the liquid. To revive it, gently reheat individual portions in a microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency. Stir frequently until heated through. Freezing is not recommended for this dish, as the cream-based sauce can separate and the pasta can become mushy upon thawing and reheating. For make-ahead purposes, you can cook the chicken and prepare the sauce up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately. Cook the pasta just before serving, then combine everything as directed in the recipe.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes, you can! If using pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken), shred or cube it and add it to the sauce along with the pasta to heat through. Skip the initial searing step.
Is canned pumpkin puree healthy? Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Just make sure it’s 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
What if I don’t have heavy cream? While heavy cream provides the richest texture, you can use half-and-half or even whole milk for a lighter sauce. The sauce might be slightly thinner, but it will still be delicious.
Can I add other vegetables? Yes, 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.
