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A rich Japanese-inspired kabocha curry stew with hearty vegetable chunks and succulent chicken.
When I first experimented with making a Japanese-style curry that included my backyard kabocha squash, I did so the traditional way: with a roux. The result was a sauce so thick I probably could have made a curried jell-o mold with it. That was when I realized that kabocha is more than just a tasty pumpkin with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s also a wealth of wonderful starchiness.
After more testing—and more gloopy sauces—I eventually found it best the do away with the roux altogether. And, really, that’s what I’ve come to love about this kabocha curry stew. The kabocha provides not only the predominant flavor, but also the rich, creamy body for this stew.
And since this is a Japanese-inspired curry, it is also flush with cozy, warming spices to balance the sweetness of kabocha. With hearty chunks of veg and succulent chicken thighs to complement to velvety gravy, there is also plenty of variation in texture. And, as is customary, a simple bed of rice provides the perfect base to soak up all this deliciousness.
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Curries and stews are some of my favorite comfort meals and, like any comfort, I come back to them again and again. Unsurprisingly, I’ve got quite a few recipes for both. If you like this one, you definitely want to check out my Pumpkin Tofu Curry with Bok Choy, Lentil Balls in Coconut Curry, Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness, and Beer-Braised Cabbage and Mushroom Stew.
Dutch oven for this Kabocha Curry Stew.
If you are a curry/stew fanatic like me, a good dutch oven is key. If you are on the market for high quality Dutch oven, with a great balance of form and function, I recommend the cast-iron Dutch oven from Nest Homeware. I used it to make this stew and you can see it in the pictures on this page. Pretty, right?
Kabocha Curry Stew with Chicken and Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 medium kabocha squash
- 1 tbsp sesame oil or canola
- 2 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 medium white or yellow onion roughly chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms quartered
- 8 cloves garlic smashed
- 6 oz (about 2 medium or 1 large) carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 oz (about 3 medium) red potatoes scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 14-oz can coconut milk
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken stock or water
- Cilantro leaves for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cut squash in half down the middle, from top to bottom. Scrap out pulp and seeds. Place on a sheet pan, cut side down and bake for about 60 minutes, or until very tender.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp sesame or canola oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place skin side down in the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until skin is golden brown. Remove to a plate.
- Without wiping out the pan, add onions and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened and mushrooms have shrunken and are starting to brown.
- Add garlic, carrots, and potatoes. Mix to combine.
- Add rice wine vinegar, coconut milk, curry powder, coriander, cumin, and 1 tsp salt. Mix together and let it come to a simmer.
- Place chicken thighs skin side up on top of the stew. Cover, remove from heat, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
- While stew is cooking, begin making rice: in a medium saucepan combine rice with chicken stock or water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until no liquid remains. Keep covered until ready to serve.
- When squash is done roasting remove from oven and allow to cool until able to handle. Use a paring knife to cut the skin and peel it away from the flesh. Place the flesh in a bowl and mash until fairly smooth. Set aside.
- When stew is done cooking, remove chicken thighs to a cutting board. Allow to cool slightly then remove skin and bones and cut chicken into cubes. Mix into stew along with 1 cup of mashed squash.
- Serve stew with rice. Top with cilantro.
