Overview:
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) is a delicious and comforting Northern Thai dish that combines tender chicken, a coconut milk-based broth, and a perfect blend of spices. It’s the ultimate comfort food, especially when served with crispy noodles on top.
For more about Khao Soi’s origins, visit ThaiFoodMaster, where they dive deep into the history and cultural significance of this dish.
Ingredients for Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi):
- Chicken
- Coconut milk (learn more about its benefits at Healthline)
- Curry paste
- Noodles
- Fresh cilantro
Once you’ve made this, check out our Khao Soi Chicken Noodle Soup Video Tutorial to see the preparation step by step.
Serving Suggestions for Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi)
Looking for more flavorful soups? Our Tom Yum Soup recipe is another popular Thai dish that you will love!
What is Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi)?
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) is a beloved dish from Northern Thailand. It’s known for its creamy coconut broth, aromatic spices, and tender chicken. This dish combines both rich flavors and textures, offering a unique soup experience.
Ingredients for Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi)
To make authentic Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi), you will need:
- Chicken, coconut milk, curry paste, and a variety of spices that create the perfect base for this delicious soup.
How to Prepare Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi)
Follow these simple steps to create a flavorful and comforting Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) at home. Start by cooking the chicken, then prepare the broth, and finally assemble everything together with noodles and garnishes.
Serving Suggestions for Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi)
For the best experience, serve Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) with fresh cilantro, crispy fried noodles, and a squeeze of lime for extra flavor.
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 4 cups chicken broth (or stock)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1-2 chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 2 green onions, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon chili oil or chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)
For the Noodles:
- 6 oz egg noodles (or any other noodles of choice)
- 1 cup crispy fried noodles (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Chicken:
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken breasts (or thighs) to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Once cooled slightly, shred the chicken using two forks and set aside.
2. Prepare the Soup Base:
- In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the red curry paste and curry powder, cooking for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
3. Add Coconut Milk & Broth:
- Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
- Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar, and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Cook the Noodles:
- While the soup is simmering, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
5. Combine and Adjust Seasoning:
- Add the shredded chicken to the simmering soup and stir to combine.
- Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if necessary, by adding more fish sauce, lime juice, or salt and pepper. You can also add more chili oil or chili flakes for extra heat, if desired.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
6. Assemble the Soup:
- Divide the cooked noodles into bowls.
- Ladle the hot soup and chicken mixture over the noodles.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, and crispy fried noodles (if using).
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this Khao Soi with extra lime wedges and chili flakes on the side for added flavor.
- You can also add a boiled egg for extra protein, or even a side of pickled mustard greens (a common accompaniment to Khao Soi).
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 400-500 (depending on portion size)
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
Pro Tips:
- For a more authentic touch, use Khao Soi noodles, which are traditional egg noodles that can be found at many Asian markets. However, regular egg noodles or any other long noodles can be used as well.
- For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Adjust the amount of curry paste and chili oil according to your heat preference. If you prefer a milder soup, reduce the chili components.
Conclusion:
Khao Soi (Thai Chicken Noodle Soup) is the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors. This comforting and delicious dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or when you want to impress guests with a flavorful, exotic meal. Easy to customize to your taste, Khao Soi is a satisfying bowl of Thai goodness that will transport you straight to the streets of Chiang Mai.
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Thai Chicken Noodle Soup (Khao Soi) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger sliced
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 can coconut milk 14 oz coconut milk
- 4 cups chicken broth preferably low-sodium
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 ½ cups egg noodles or any long noodles of your choice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 tbsp Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes:
- 1 piece Pickled mustard greens or regular pickles optional
- 1 tbsp Fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 wedge Lime
- 1 cup Crispy fried noodles
- 1 small Chopped red onion optional
- 1 tbsp Chopped chili for extra heat optional
- 1 tbsp Chopped Basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and sliced ginger. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Add the Red Curry Paste: Stir in the red curry paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
- Add Coconut Milk and Broth: Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and set it aside.
- Prepare the Noodles: In a separate pot, cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season the Broth: To the broth, add fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, turmeric, cumin, coriander, lime juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Assemble the Soup: Divide the cooked noodles into serving bowls. Pour the hot soup over the noodles. Add the shredded chicken on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the soup with pickled mustard greens, crispy fried noodles, fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, and any additional chili or red onions if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken: You can use bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor. The skin can be removed before cooking.
- Coconut Milk: For a lighter version, you can use light coconut milk, but it will alter the richness of the soup.
- Garnishes: The garnishes make this soup unique! If you can’t find pickled mustard greens, you can substitute with regular pickles or skip them altogether.
Total Estimated Cost: $8.95 – $9.45
This cost estimate assumes typical ingredient prices for 4-6 servings. The cost per serving would be approximately $1.50 – $2.00.As with any recipe, the price may vary depending on the store you shop at and the specific brands you purchase.
