This Thai chicken coconut curry soup is rich, creamy, and full of warm curry flavor with tender chicken, rice noodles, vegetables, fresh herbs, and lime. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an easy weeknight dinner that still feels flavorful and special.
2boneless skinless chicken breastscut into small pieces
4cupsthinly sliced cabbage
1bell pepperdiced
1oniondiced
2tablespoonsminced garlic
3tablespoonsred curry paste
1tablespoonchopped fresh ginger
6cupschicken stock
1 13.5ouncecan full fat coconut milk
6ouncesrice noodles
1tablespoonfish sauce
2teaspoonshoney or brown sugar
2tablespoonslime juice
½cupchopped fresh cilantro
¼cupchopped fresh basil
1 to 2teaspoonssaltor to taste
½ to 1teaspoonblack pepperor to taste
Green onions or extra cilantrofor garnish
Instructions
Place the rice noodles in a large dish and cover them with hot water. Let them soak while you prepare the soup, or follow the package directions. Drain and set aside once softened.
Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Dice the onion and bell pepper, and chop the fresh herbs. If using whole cabbage, thinly slice it. If using pre cut coleslaw mix, it is ready to add as is.
Add the chicken, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and chicken stock to a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to cook through and the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the cabbage or coleslaw mix, garlic, fresh ginger, red curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce, honey, and lime juice. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the cabbage is tender.
Stir in the softened rice noodles and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the noodles are warmed through and tender.
Stir in the fresh cilantro and basil. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Add more lime juice if the broth needs a brighter flavor.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm with sliced green onions, extra cilantro, or another squeeze of lime if desired.
Notes
Use full fat coconut milk for the creamiest broth. Light coconut milk works, but the soup will be thinner.You can use a package of pre cut coleslaw mix. The coleslaw mix saves prep time and softens nicely in the broth.For a brothier soup, use 4 ounces of rice noodles. For a heartier soup, use 6 ounces.Rice noodles keep soaking up broth as the soup sits. Add a splash of chicken stock or coconut milk when reheating leftovers if needed.