Description
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Peanut Butter Chicken Soup is a creamy, hearty, and comforting dish that combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin with the subtle nuttiness of peanut butter. Tender chicken cooked slowly with warm spices and fresh herbs creates a nourishing soup perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a warm, satisfying meal. Easy to prepare with wholesome ingredients, this unique soup balances flavors beautifully while providing protein and healthy fats.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
Base & Liquids
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
- 4 cups chicken broth
Flavorings & Spices
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth, unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic to ensure they blend smoothly into the soup. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breast or thighs, then cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Combine in the Slow Cooker: Add the chicken pieces, pumpkin puree, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika into the slow cooker. Stir gently so the flavors begin to mingle.
- Cook on Low: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded.
- Add Peanut Butter and Final Touches: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the peanut butter to incorporate its creamy nuttiness into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime juice to brighten the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro or parsley over the top. Serve the soup warm, optionally paired with crusty bread, garlic naan, or jasmine rice.
Notes
- Use natural, smooth, and unsweetened peanut butter for best flavor balance.
- Don’t skip the lime juice; it brightens the soup and balances richness.
- Consider adding half the spices at the start and adjusting at the end to perfect the flavor.
- Adjust the amount of chicken broth to reach your preferred soup thickness.
- After cooking, shred the chicken if you want a more uniform texture.
- For a spicier version, add diced chili peppers or cayenne pepper.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor.
- Add diced sweet potatoes, carrots, or kale for extra nutrition and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on stove with occasional stirring; add broth or water if soup thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg