Easy Thai Chicken Soup Recipe

Quick & Cozy Easy Thai Chicken Soup Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Crafting an authentic Thai chicken soup brings comfort and excitement to your kitchen.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance through this delightful broth, creating layers of complex flavors.

Warmth radiates from each spoonful, transporting you to bustling street markets in bangkok.

Coconut milk provides a creamy foundation that softens the gentle heat of chili peppers.

Fresh ingredients become your culinary companions in this vibrant cooking adventure.

Lemongrass and ginger infuse the soup with bright, zesty notes that awaken your senses.

Jump into this simple yet spectacular recipe that promises to delight and surprise you.

FAQs

  • Is red curry paste spicy?

Red curry paste can be quite spicy, but you can control the heat by using less paste or choosing a mild version. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.

  • Can I use different proteins in this soup?

Absolutely! You can substitute chicken with shrimp, tofu, or even lean beef. Just ensure the protein is cooked thoroughly and matches the cooking time of the vegetables.

  • Do I need any special cooking skills to make this soup?

Not at all! This Thai chicken soup is beginner-friendly. The recipe involves simple techniques like sautéing, simmering, and stirring. Even novice cooks can successfully prepare this delicious dish with basic kitchen skills.

  • What makes this soup authentically Thai-style?

The combination of red curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce, and lime juice creates the classic Thai flavor profile. These ingredients bring a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, sour, and savory elements typical in Thai cuisine.

Thai Chicken Soup That Balances Heat and Creaminess

  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this Thai chicken soup in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Flavor Explosion: Packed with aromatic ingredients like ginger, red curry paste, and fresh lime, this soup delivers an incredible taste experience that transports you straight to the streets of Thailand.
  • Nutritious One-Pot Meal: Loaded with protein from chicken, vitamins from veggies, and immune-boosting ingredients, this soup offers a balanced and wholesome dinner option that keeps everyone healthy and happy.
  • Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings to suit individual preferences, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Thai Chicken Soup Ingredient Mix

Base Ingredients:
  • Chicken Broth, Coconut Milk: Creamy liquid base that provides rich, smooth foundation for the soup.
  • Shredded Chicken: Protein that makes the soup hearty and filling, can use rotisserie or leftover chicken.
  • Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing vegetables and creating flavor base.
Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic flavor trio that builds deep, complex taste profile.
  • Red Bell Pepper, Mushrooms: Adds texture, color, and nutritional variety to the soup.
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Red Curry Paste: Provides authentic Thai spice and warmth, choose high-quality brand for best flavor.
  • Fish Sauce: Adds umami and depth, core ingredient in Thai cuisine.
  • Lime Juice, Brown Sugar: Balances flavors with bright acidity and subtle sweetness.
  • Spinach or Kale: Adds nutrition and fresh green color, choose tender leaves.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Bright, fresh finish that enhances overall soup experience.

Thai Chicken Soup Easy Prep Walkthrough

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger.

Sauté these ingredients until they release their fragrant oils and become slightly translucent, which takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Awaken Curry Flavors

Introduce red curry paste to the pot, stirring vigorously to coat the aromatics.

Let the paste cook for one minute, allowing its intense spices to bloom and create a rich, deep flavor foundation.

Step 3: Build the Liquid Base

Pour in chicken broth and creamy coconut milk.

Gently stir the liquids to create a harmonious blend.

Bring the mixture to a soft, bubbling simmer that promises delicious things to come.

Step 4: Add Protein and Vegetables

Incorporate your ingredients:
  • Shredded chicken
  • Sliced red bell peppers
  • Chopped mushrooms

Allow the soup to simmer for 10-15 minutes, giving the vegetables time to become tender and absorb the surrounding flavors.

Step 5: Balance the Flavor Profile

Introduce your finishing touches:
  • Fish sauce
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Brown sugar

Taste and adjust seasonings to create a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and savory notes.

Step 6: Wilt the Greens

Toss in fresh spinach or kale, stirring until the greens become soft and vibrant, which takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and bright lime wedges for a final burst of freshness and color.

Quick Cooking Tips for Thai Chicken Soup

  • Toast curry paste briefly to unlock deeper, richer aromatics that elevate the entire soup's flavor profile.
  • Swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or tempeh for vegetarian or alternative protein variations that maintain the soup's authentic Thai essence.
  • Adjust red curry paste quantity to manage heat intensity, ensuring the soup suits individual spice preferences without compromising traditional taste.
  • Slice vegetables thinly or use julienne cuts to create multiple texture dimensions and improve overall eating experience.
  • Add cilantro and lime juice just before serving to preserve vibrant flavors and prevent herb wilting or citrus bitterness.

Thai Chicken Soup Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and store for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup seems too thick.
  • Heat in microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.

What Tastes Great With Thai Chicken Soup

  • Refresh with Riesling: Choose a crisp, slightly sweet German Riesling that perfectly balances the soup's spicy and creamy profile, cutting through the rich coconut milk while complementing the lime and ginger notes.
  • Balance with Jasmine Rice: Serve the soup alongside fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious broth, adding a neutral starch that enhances the soup's complex Thai-inspired flavors without overwhelming the delicate spices.
  • Cool with Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, spicy soup, adding a crisp texture and palate-cleansing element to the meal.
  • Pair with Spring Rolls: Add fresh Vietnamese-style spring rolls with a light peanut dipping sauce, creating a complementary appetizer that echoes the soup's Southeast Asian flavor profile and provides a delightful textural contrast.

Thai Chicken Soup In Warming Combinations

  • Vegetarian Thai Soup: Replace chicken with extra-firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
  • Low-Carb Thai Soup: Swap brown sugar with erythritol or stevia, and replace bell peppers with zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content.
  • Seafood Thai Soup: Substitute chicken with shrimp or white fish, adding a different protein while maintaining the classic Thai flavor profile.
  • Instant Pot Thai Soup: Adapt the recipe for quick pressure cooking, reducing overall preparation time and maintaining the same rich, aromatic taste.
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Easy Thai Chicken Soup Recipe

Easy Thai Chicken Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Steaming bowls of easy thai chicken soup transport taste buds to Southeast Asian comfort. Fragrant lemongrass, ginger, and coconut milk create a soul-warming experience that welcomes you into a delightful culinary journey of pure satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (0.45 kg) chicken breast, cooked and shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup spinach or kale
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Liquid and Seasoning:

  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz / 414 ml) coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) red curry paste
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Create a flavor foundation by gently sweating aromatics – onion, garlic, and ginger – in olive oil until they release their enticing fragrance and become translucent.
  2. Introduce red curry paste to the pot, allowing its complex spices to bloom and intensify for a brief moment.
  3. Pour in coconut milk and chicken broth, whisking to create a harmonious, creamy liquid base that will serve as the soup’s backbone.
  4. Incorporate shredded chicken, sliced red bell peppers, and earthy mushrooms into the simmering liquid, letting them meld together and absorb the vibrant flavors.
  5. Enhance the soup’s depth by adding fish sauce for umami, bright lime juice for acidity, and a touch of brown sugar to balance the savory notes.
  6. Gently fold in fresh spinach or kale, allowing the greens to wilt and soften while maintaining their vibrant color and nutritional integrity.
  7. Ladle the aromatic soup into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and accompanying lime wedges for a final burst of freshness.

Notes

  • Boost flavor intensity by toasting curry paste briefly before adding liquids, which helps release deeper aromatic compounds.
  • Customize protein options by substituting chicken with tofu, shrimp, or tempeh for vegetarian and flexitarian diets.
  • Control spice levels by gradually adding curry paste, tasting as you go to prevent overwhelming heat for sensitive palates.
  • Enhance soup’s nutritional profile by incorporating additional vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or cauliflower for extra vitamins and texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 890 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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