Pumpkin Chicken Chili with Cottage Cheese Recipe
This Pumpkin Chicken Chili with Cottage Cheese is a hearty and nutritious slow cooker chili that combines tender chicken with the rich flavors of pumpkin purée, black beans, and spices. The addition of creamy cottage cheese enhances the texture, making it a comforting, protein-packed meal perfect for chilly days. Easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time, it’s ideal for anyone seeking a flavorful and wholesome chili recipe made in a crockpot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Base Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Dairy
- ½ cup cottage cheese
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Add the chicken, pumpkin purée, diced tomatoes, black beans, frozen corn, chicken broth, and all spices (cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper) to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to combine.
- Add Cottage Cheese: Stir the cottage cheese into the chili until it is fully blended and creates a creamy texture throughout. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the chili hot, garnished with optional toppings such as fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts as they remain juicier during slow cooking.
- For a spicier chili, add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
- To keep this recipe gluten free, ensure all canned goods and broths have no gluten-containing additives.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend part of the chili before adding the cottage cheese.
Keywords: pumpkin chicken chili, slow cooker chili, crockpot chicken chili, healthy chili recipe, cottage cheese chili, pumpkin recipes
