Thai Noodle Soup

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Thai Noodle Soup is a bold and flavorful soup, easy to make and on the table in 30 minutes. Creamy coconut milk, with a kick of heat from red curry paste, creates the mouthwatering broth for the chicken and vegetables. Serve over your favorite rice noodles for a delicious gluten free meal.

THIS POST WAS FEATURED IN STILLWATER LIVING MAGAZINE

I’ve always loved Asian cuisine, but I only started making it at home a couple of years ago. For some reason, I had this irrational fear that it was difficult to make. So when I did make it at home I stuck with very simple recipes using bottled sauces. I had the same fear with soup, and it took much longer to conquer that one.

So it’s kind of ironic that my very first soup recipe–and one of my first Asian recipes–on the blog was Thai Shrimp Soup. It conquered many of my fears in one big bowl of delicious goodness.

My only other soup recipe in Stillwater Living Magazine is Chicken Tortilla Soup, so I figured it was time to change that. After a lot of back and forth, we decided on Thai Noodle Soup

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• It’s easy to make and is on the table in under 30 minutes
• You can substitute vegetables to your preference
• You control the level of spice in this gluten free soup

INGREDIENTS FOR THAI NOODLE SOUP

• Rice noodles
• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Red Curry Paste
• Coconut Milk 
• Chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Vegetables: red bell pepper, baby bok choy, fresh ginger, and raw garlic
• Baby bok choy
• Garnish options: fresh lime juice, fresh basil, cilantro, red onion, spring onion, Roasted & Salted Peanuts

INGREDIENT TIPS FOR THE PERFECT THAI NOODLE SOUP

Rice noodles are traditional for Thai Noodle Soup, and I’ve used both Pad Thai Noodles and Vermicelli Rice Noodles.

The noodle aisle of an Asian market has LOTS of different brands and noodle thicknesses. Don’t let that overwhelm you…pick your favorite and it won’t be wrong.

Soften dry rice noodles before using. Bring a pot of water to a boil, remove from heat, add noodles, and soak for 5-10 minutes. Drain and serve.

Allow each layer of flavor to develop before adding the next layer. That’s really the key to most soups and sauces

I prefer full fat coconut milk because it thickens the soup well. You can use lite coconut milk if you prefer

Don’t add the dark green bok choy leaves until the last couple of minutes, because they are delicate like baby spinach. The stems are sturdy and can withstand longer cooking

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Saute garlic and ginger in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Stir in curry paste and cook for about 4 minutes

Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in white stems of bok choy and cook for about 3 minutes

Add broth, coconut milk, and red bell peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for about 2 minutes.  Add bok choy leaves, and simmer until wilted

A DUTCH OVEN (OR HEAVY BOTTOMED POT) MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

I never understood the appeal of enameled cast-iron cookware, until I house sat for friends who have pretty much every size of Le Creuset cookware.

I became obsessed and wanted one in every size. My bank account doesn’t agree, so I started with a 2-qt Dutch Oven and use it all the time.

If you are on the fence as well, here’s why I highly recommend the investment:

• Cooks more evenly than regular cookware
• Needs only low or medium stovetop heat for almost every dish
• Retains heat really well
• Dutch ovens can go straight from stovetop to oven
• Depending on the brand, a Dutch oven can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees

OPTIONS FOR THAI NOODLE SOUP

Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth. I would also substitute diced sweet potato for the chicken, and add the potato at the same time you would add the chicken

Mix up the vegetables! I love using baby bok choy, but I can’t always find it in the grocery store. Substitute baby spinach, zucchini, or another green vegetable. If you use a vegetable that cooks quickly, add it in the last couple of minutes so it doesn’t turn to mush

Thai Noodle Soup is definitely a keeper. With my dutch oven, I can make a big portion and have leftovers for a couple of days. It’s perfect for cold weather days, but also light enough that you can enjoy it all year long.

MORE DELICIOUS SOUP RECIPES

• Venison Lasagna Soup
• Black Bean Soup
• Sausage & Penne Soup

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