🇵🇭 Philippines · Food
Ginataang Kalabasa at Manok
By eatmundo · August 4, 2026
🇵🇭 PHA comforting Filipino stew where tender chicken and sweet pumpkin are braised in rich, creamy coconut milk. This dish is a quintessential home-cooked meal, blending earthy and tropical flavors.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Cut 800g of chicken into bite-sized pieces and slice 300g of pumpkin into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pot over medium heat and sauté the onion, ginger, and garlic until they are soft and fragrant.
- 3
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and sear them for 5-7 minutes until they are lightly browned on all sides.
- 4
Pour in 2 tbsp of fish sauce, coating the chicken thoroughly to build the savory base flavor.
- 5
Add the 400ml of coconut milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer; avoid boiling vigorously to prevent the milk from curdling.
- 6
Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up the aromatics.
- 7
Add the pumpkin cubes into the pot and continue simmering for another 10-12 minutes until the pumpkin is fork-tender.
- 8
Taste the sauce and adjust with more fish sauce or salt if needed, then serve hot over steaming jasmine rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use squash instead of pumpkin?+
Yes, butternut squash or kabocha squash are perfect substitutes and have a very similar texture.
Why did my coconut milk curdle?+
Curdling often happens if the heat is too high; always keep it at a gentle simmer and avoid rapid boiling.
How do I know when the pumpkin is done?+
The pumpkin is ready when a fork pierces through the center with zero resistance, but it should still hold its shape.
Is this spicy?+
The traditional version is mild, but you can add sliced siling haba or red chili flakes if you enjoy a kick of heat.
🇵🇭 PHMundo Match
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