This easy Thai Chicken Curry Noodle Soup is packed with shredded chicken, tender rice noodles, and bok choy all simmered in a bold and fragrant lime and coconut curry broth. Top with fresh basil, mint, cilantro, and fresh lime just for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner.
Soup is better when it’s filled with chewy rice noodles. It’s a fact. I think it’s something about their slimy slipperiness. Anyway, you’ll find these delicious noodles swimming in an aromatic broth made with coconut milk and lime juice. So comforting and SO delicious, it’s the perfect soup for busy weeknights. Winner, winner! We’re making Thai curry noodle soup for dinner.
How to Make Thai Chicken Curry Noodle Soup
Feel free to jump to the recipe card for the full recipe.
Start by cooking the onions in a large pot or Dutch oven until softened. Add the green onions (just the white parts), garlic, and ginger, and cook for another minute before adding the Thai red curry paste.
Stir in the chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Once the water reaches a boil, poach the chicken in the broth until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F. Remove the cooked chicken to a cutting board to rest until it is cool enough to shred.
Add the lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and coconut milk. Return to a low boil then reduce to a simmer and add the bok choy. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the noodles separately (see below) and shred the chicken. Add the chicken back to the pot. Season with additional salt, fish sauce, or soy sauce, to taste, and serve with all your favorite garnishes.
Top Tip: Cook the Rice Noodle Separately
This is really important. Of course, you can cook them directly in the broth, but don’t. Trust me. If you do, you’ll wind up with a big pot of soggy, mushy noodles that have soaked up all your delicious broth.
You can even cook your noodles ahead of time. They will stick together after they’ve cooled off, but don’t worry. Just rinse them with warm water until they’re no longer stuck together. Easy peasy.
Optional Garnishes
Some soups are great on their own, but most are better with at least a garnish or three (or five). Anyway, this soup is one of those soups that does well with a little something sprinkled on top. Try combining different textures and flavors, i.e. crunchy, fresh, tangy, spicy.
- Fresh lime juice
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh herbs – basil, mint, cilantro
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped nuts
- Sriracha
RECIPE CARD
Thai Chicken Curry Noodle Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 large onion - minced
- 1 small bunch green onions - white parts only, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger - grated
- 6 cloves garlic - minced
- 4 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth - or chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 3 limes juiced - plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 4 small bunches baby bok choy
- 8 oz rice noodles - cooked separately to al dente
- salt - to taste
Garnishes (optional)
- fresh cilantro
- fresh mint
- fresh basil
- limes - cut into wedges
- red chili flakes
- green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the coconut oil and onion to the skillet and mix well to combine. Cook the onions for 5-6 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Stir frequently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the white parts of the green onions, minced garlic, and ginger, and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Add the Thai red curry paste and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
- Add the chicken broth and water. Increase heat to high and bring to boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and add the chicken breasts.
- Cover and cook over low heat until the chicken is cooked though, approximately 20 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to remove the chicken pieces from the pot and transfer them to a clean cutting board to cool. Shred with a fork once cool enough to handle.
- Add the lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and coconut milk to the pot. Mix well to combine and season with salt, to taste. Add the baby bok choy and simmer, altogether, for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles separately and according to package instructions. Strain and set aside until ready to serve (if your noodles stick together, rinse with cool water).
- Return the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- Serve each bowl with the desired amount of noodles. Ladle hot soup over the top and garnish with fresh mint, basil, cilantro, lime juice, and fish sauce, if desired.
Jessica’s Notes
- carrots
- sweet bell pepper
- snow peas
- sugar snap peas
- mushrooms
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
More Chicken Soup Recipes,
Looking for more cozy, chicken-filled soups? Start with my Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe, a timeless classic, and reader favorite. For something a little more globally inspired, try my rich, aromatic and deeply flavorful Pho Recipe (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) or this comforting Caldo de Pollo Recipe (Mexican Chicken Soup).
Looking for easy, family-friendly options? Check out my Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup, Easy Chicken and Rice Soup, or Easy Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe—all perfect for busy weeknights. For something a bit heartier, try this Chicken Barley Soup or go extra cozy with my Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe. No matter which one you choose, these recipes are sure to bring warmth and comfort to your table.
Have you tried making this Thai Curry Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe?
Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.
Other than using โadultโ bok choy (cuz the store didnโt have baby bok choy), I followed this recipe exactly. It was fantastic. My whole family loved it and thanked me for making it. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thanks for the kind feedback, Sande ๐
Made this last night. I was looking for something quick and that would use up some rice noodles I had. This soup was very tasty, will definitely make it again. I added some sliced red peppers. The chicken breast turned out just right with twenty minutes cooking time – was easy to shred and tender. And thank you for the tip on cooking the rice noodles separately – they didn’t suck up all the broth and were not over-cooked/mushy as I usually end up with. Also I find the changeable portion sizing when printing out the recipe helpful – so I could ‘downsize’ for 2-3 portions.
Thanks for a great recipe.
Thanks, Penny, I am glad you found it to be great and used the scaling feature ๐
One of the best soups Iโve ever had! Thank you!
Thanks for the best feedback and rating Erin ๐
I dont know one Asian person that uses chicken breasts to make anything..
Well, you clearly don’t know my husband and his Asian chicken breast eating family ๐
Loved this soup, will make again!!!
Thanks for the feedback Drew ๐