27/05/2026
Hearty Pumpkin & Chicken Stew 🍗🎃
With colder weather settling in ❄️🍂 there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty stew to make winter evenings feel a little more comforting. This Smoky Chicken & Pumpkin Stew is packed with whole-food ingredients, warming spices, fibre-rich lentils, leafy greens, and quality protein — making it a filling, flavourful option for cosy dinners during the week 🥣🌿
🥣 Smoky Chicken & Pumpkin Stew
A hearty winter meal packed with protein, fibre, vegetables, and smoky flavour.
Serves 4–5
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 Protein
• 700g chicken breast or thighs, diced
🎃 Vegetables
• 500g pumpkin or butternut, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 packed cups spinach
🌱 Pantry
• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 3 stock cubes dissolved in 1.5L boiling water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
🌿 Spice Mix
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼–½ tsp chili flakes
• Small pinch salt if needed
👩🍳 Method
1. Prep first:
Dice onion, slice carrots, cube pumpkin, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, rinse lentils, and prepare stock.
2️. Heat olive oil in a large pot over MEDIUM heat. Add onion and carrots. Cook 5–7 mins until softened.
3. Add garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, pepper, and chili flakes. Stir continuously for 30–60 seconds.
4️. Add chicken and cook 5–6 mins until lightly browned outside.
5️. Add pumpkin, lentils, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a gentle boil on HIGH heat.
6️. Reduce heat to MEDIUM-LOW and simmer 30–35 mins with lid slightly open, stirring occasionally.
7️. Add spinach during final 2–3 mins until wilted.
8️. Turn heat OFF, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.
🍽️ Optional toppings:
Greek yogurt, parsley, chili flakes, black pepper.
