This chicken and walnut stuffed pumpkin will bring excitement to the table! Perfect for a dinner of any occasion or a party of two.
With this chicken and walnut stuffed pumpkin recipe you will taste a convergent diversity of flavors. Sort of like a party of savory, salty and sweet. Aside from being delicious, the presentation of a chicken walnut stuffed pumpkin is quite impressive.
History
The concept of cooking a pumpkin stuffed with other ingredients has been around for centuries.
Ingredients + Variations
- 1 3 lb. Sugar Pumpkin
- 6 oz. roasted walnuts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-size pieces
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 7 oz. tomato puree
- 1 cup water
- 6 oz. toasted walnuts
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 1 oz. fresh basil, chopped
- 1 oz. fresh parsley, chopped
- 6 oz. cherry tomatoes
- Small Fresno pepper, finely diced (optional)
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Skillet
- Sharp knife
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F
- Remove top from pumpkin, using a sharp knife, in one piece and set aside.
- Remove seeds and stringy pulp from inside pumpkin using a spoon or scoop. Replace lid on pumpkin. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 375° F for approximately 45 minutes until slightly softened. (time will depend on actual size of the pumpkin). Remove from heat and carefully remove lid and set aside to cool slightly.
- Toast walnuts in dry skillet 5-6 minutes over medium heat until fragrant, while pumpkin is roasting.
- Stir often and watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add oil in large deep skillet. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions become slightly soft and translucent.
- Add diced chicken and saute’ until golden brown.
- Add garlic, tomato puree, and water. Cover skillet with a lid and simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes.
- Ladle filling into pumpkin. Add chopped walnuts, herbs, and cherry tomatoes, reserving a few for garnish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return pumpkin to oven and roast for another 20-25 minutes.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
Cooking Tips
- A sugar pumpkin, also referred to as a pie pumpkin, is the type of pumpkin called for in this recipe. Pumpkins, and all winter squash, should feel heavy for their size. Their skin should be dull, not shiny, and there should be no mold, cracks, or bruising. When pumpkins are no longer available, this recipe is just as delicious prepared with butternut squash (although not nearly as cute). Adjust cooking time accordingly.
Pairs with (wine/drink)
- Zinfandel
- Cabernet
- Burgundy Chardonnay
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Bragging Rights
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Chicken and Walnut Stuffed Pumpkin
This chicken and walnut stuffed pumpkin will bring excitement to the table! Perfect for a dinner of any occasion or a party of two.
Ingredients
- 1 3 lb. Sugar Pumpkin
- 6 oz. roasted walnuts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-size pieces
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 7 oz. tomato puree
- 1 cup water
- 6 oz. toasted walnuts
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 1 oz. fresh basil, chopped
- 1 oz. fresh parsley, chopped
- 6 oz. cherry tomatoes
- Small Fresno pepper, finely diced (optional)
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F
- Using a sharp knife, remove top from pumpkin in one piece and set aside. Remove seeds and stringy pulp from inside pumpkin using a spoon or scoop. Replace lid on pumpkin. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 375° F for approximately 45 minutes until slightly softened. (time will depend on actual size of the pumpkin). Remove from heat and carefully remove lid and set aside to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile while pumpkin is roasting, toast walnuts in dry skillet 5-6 minutes over medium heat until fragrant. Stir often and watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add oil in large deep skillet. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions become slightly soft and translucent.
- Add diced chicken and saute’ until golden brown.
- Add garlic, tomato puree, and water. Cover skillet with a lid and simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes.
- Ladle filling into pumpkin. Add chopped walnuts, herbs, and cherry tomatoes, reserving a few for garnish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return pumpkin to oven and roast for another 20-25 minutes.
- Serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
A sugar pumpkin, also referred to as a pie pumpkin, is the type of pumpkin called for in this recipe. Pumpkins, and all winter squash, should feel heavy for their size. Their skin should be dull, not shiny, and there should be no mold, cracks, or bruising. When pumpkins are no longer available, this recipe is just as delicious prepared with butternut squash (although not nearly as cute). Adjust cooking time accordingly.