I could feel my stress float away and relaxation take its place, like it always does whenever I’m about to open my new issue of Bon Appetit. But before I could open it, Thai Hubby saw the glistening pictures on the cover of what looked like a Thai version of a chicken soup, and freaked out.
“Whoa!! I haven’t had Khao Soi in forever!! I want some!”
My Thai Hubby doesn’t usually get overly excited about many things, since he is a chill Thai guy, so that woke me up that I had to make Chicken Khao Soi as soon as possible.
Especially since I had never eaten it before!
This Burmese-influenced dish is popular in the cooler, mountainous area of northern Thailand, and isn’t found much in Bangkok. Like in America and most countries, Thailand has regional food.
Soups, like Sukhothai Noodle Soup are hard to find, made well, outside of Sukhothai. Chicken Khao Soi is another one of those dishes that when you are up north, you just have to stop and eat it before going south.
I followed the Bon Appetit recipe, with some tweaks of my own, and we loved it! My Thai Hubby hadn’t eaten it in so long he couldn’t tell if the recipe was authentic or not, but whatever we concocted was approved by his Thai tastebuds.
Then two weeks later we met friends who had been missionaries in Southeast Asia, and had lived in northern Thailand for awhile. When I asked them to come to our place for Thai food, we asked if they would want Chicken Khao Soi for dinner.
“Yes please!!”
They said our version was soooo good, but the one they had had in Thailand was more of an orange-ish color than yellow, probably because the curry powder and turmeric in America isn’t quite the same as in Thailand.
But either way, all of us wanted seconds of the cozy egg noodles, creamy coconut milk broth dyed a bright, happy yellow from the turmeric, which has healing properties in it and so does the ginger!!, plus FRIED shallots sprinkled on top? Curl beside a roaring firing cozy happiness in one bowl!
Show me your Khao Soi with Chicken creation on Instagram! Tag me @thaifoodie, I want to see!!
Have you ever had Chicken Khao Soi before??
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Chicken Khao Soi Recipe | ข้าวซอย
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
Description
Who can resist Khao Soi with Chicken? Cozy egg noodles, creamy coconut milk broth dyed a bright, happy yellow from the turmeric, which has healing properties in it and so does the ginger!!, plus FRIED shallots sprinkled on top? Coziness and happiness all in one bowl!
Ingredients
Khao Soi Paste
- 4–8 dried Thai chili peppers (depending on spice preference)
- 2 medium shallots, halved
- 10 garlic cloves
- 1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 c. chopped cilantro stems
- 1 Tbsp. ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp. ground turmeric
- 1 tsp. curry powder
Soup
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil (or cooking oil of your choice)
- 2 14-ounce cans of unsweetened coconut milk (Chaokoh is my favorite)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, halved lengthwise
- 1 lb. Chinese egg noodles
- 3 tbsp. or more of fish sauce
- 1 tbsp. palm sugar or brown sugar
Toppings
- 2 cups fresh bean sprouts
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots
- 1–2 limes quartered
- chili oil to taste
Instructions
Khao Soi Paste
- Place chiles in small bowl and add boiling water to cover. Let soak until soft for 25-30 minutes.
- Drain chiles and save soaking liquid.
- Puree chiles, shallots, garlic, ginger, cilantro stems, coriander, turmeric, curry powder and 2 Tbsp. of soaking liquid in food processor. Add more liquid by tablespoonfuls if you need to until it’s smooth.*Or you can be hardcore and use your mortar and pestle to puree the ingredients, instead of a food processor.
Soup
- Heat oil in heavy pot over medium heat. Add khao soi paste. Cook stirring constantly for 4-6 minutes until darkened. Really make sure you cook it for at least 4 minutes or you won’t get as much flavor.
- Add coconut milk and broth. Bring to a boil.
- Add chicken and reduce heat and simmer until chicken is fork-tender, 20-25 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and shred it.
- Cook noodles according to package directions.
- Add chicken, fish sauce and sugar to taste to soup. Divide soup and noodles among bowls and serve with toppings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Thanks so much for posting this! I just recently came home from spending three months working with some missionaries in Northern Thailand. I’ve been craving khao soi. We ate it a lot 🙂 I look forward to making it!
That’s awesome Emily! Let me know how it goes when you make it. I hope the memories of your trip come alive again after you make it and eat it! 🙂
Yummmmmm…. your blog and facebook page makes my mouth watery…..
Yay! Mission accomplished 🙂
Visited my daughter last April in Bangkok and Khao Soi was one of my favorite dishes. Your recipe hit the spot! My daughter comes home this Easter after 18 months living and teaching there. I told her she will love this. Even sent her pics. Thank you thank you!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment Sandy! I’m so glad it brings back the memories of the time spent with your daughter, and that you can make it for her now when she returns home to remind her of her time in Thailand! 🙂
I made this on Saturday. WOW – that is all I can say is WOW. So wonderful. The aroma, the taste – all very wonderful. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Teresa! I feel the same way whenever I eat Chicken Khao Soi! Thanks for your sweet comment!
Made this just last night for my guy. HOLY WOW THIS WAS TASTY.
That is all. 🙂
Lol! I’m so glad you and your guy liked it Penny! Thanks for your awesome comment 🙂
Hi Sherri,
I think your recipes are great! I love the little stories you add to each one. Your Chicken Khao Soi is my favourite. I make it all the time. I’m an avid fan. Keep them coming 🙂
P.S. I could never figure out how to do the crispy fried shallots. Now I just buy a large pre-maid container at the store. So much easier. ^_^
Hi Shalinee! Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I love to write, so I’m glad you appreciate the stories that go with the recipes too! That’s a great idea to just buy the pre-made crispy shallots at the store! It is way easier!!
Whelp, my keyboard is ruined because I just Homer Simpon Drooled all over it 🙂
This recipe looks ridiculously good! Both my hubbers and I like Thai food so I’m dying to make this for us! My bet is my husband will take a bite then drop to a knee and ask me to marry him again (he does that from time to time when I make something really good for dinner). 🙂
Lol! You are hilarious Christina! Can’t wait to see if your husband re-proposes after you make Khao Soi for him! 🙂