The Perfect Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Recipe

Weeknight Thai chicken meatball khao soi elevates comfort food with its vibrant culinary landscape.

Fragrant spices and hearty ingredients meld together in a soul-warming symphony of flavors.

Busy home cooks will find this recipe remarkably straightforward and delightfully satisfying.

Delicate yet robust meatballs swim in a luxurious broth that whispers tales of southeast asian cuisine.

Complex flavor profiles emerge through carefully balanced seasonings, reimagineing simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Each bite promises a journey through tantalizing textures and aromatic nuances that dance across your palate.

Get ready to reimagine your evening meal into a memorable culinary adventure.

Why Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Is a Winner

• Craft Quick Comfort: This recipe delivers a speedy, delicious Thai-inspired meal packed with bold flavors that come together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something extraordinary.
• Texture Explosion: Crispy-edged chicken meatballs swimming in creamy coconut curry broth create a delightful contrast of textures – soft, tender meat meets silky sauce with crunchy vegetable garnishes.
• Flavor Adventure Simplified: Combines authentic Thai ingredients like curry paste, coconut milk, and fish sauce into an accessible one-pot meal that brings restaurant-quality taste directly to your home kitchen without complicated techniques.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Delivers a balanced meal with substantial protein, moderate carbohydrates, and healthy fats, making it a satisfying option that supports your wellness goals while tantalizing your taste buds with international culinary excitement.

Ingredients for Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the meatballs, perfect for a light and flavorful dish.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and bright green color to the meatball mixture.
• Ginger: Provides a warm, spicy undertone with authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Garlic: Brings depth and aromatic quality to the meatball mixture.

• Coconut Milk: Creamy base that adds richness and authentic Thai curry character.
• Chicken Broth: Provides additional depth and liquid volume for the soup.
• Fish Sauce: Introduces umami and traditional Southeast Asian seasoning.
• Honey: Balances flavors with a touch of sweetness and helps create smooth sauce texture.
• Curry Paste: Delivers intense, complex spice blend central to Thai cuisine.

• Bok Choy: Adds nutritious green vegetable with slight crispness to the dish.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh herb that brings bright, aromatic finish to the meal.
• Shallots: Offers mild, sweet onion flavor as garnish.
• Lime Juice: Provides fresh, acidic brightness to cut through rich flavors.
• Chili Oil: Adds optional heat and additional depth to the final presentation.
• Noodles: Serves as the hearty base for the soup, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Instructions for Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Made Easy

Step 1: Prepare Meatball Mixture

• Ground chicken
• Chopped green onions
• Minced ginger
• Crushed garlic
• Pinch of pepper

Mix ingredients thoroughly until well blended.

Step 2: Shape Meatballs

Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into small tablespoon-sized balls.

Step 3: Sear Meatballs

Heat of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Carefully place meatballs in the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes, rotating occasionally to create a crispy exterior on all sides.

Step 4: Char Bok Choy

Add bok choy to the pot and cook until slightly charred. Transfer meatballs and bok choy to a separate plate.

Step 5: Bloom Curry Paste

In the same pot, add curry paste to the remaining oil. Cook until the aroma becomes fragrant and fills your kitchen.

Step 6: Create Flavorful Broth

• Coconut milk
• Chicken broth
• Fish sauce
• Honey

Stir ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Combine Ingredients

Return meatballs and bok choy to the pot. Allow everything to cook together and absorb the rich flavors.

Step 8: Prepare Noodles

Cook noodles according to package instructions while the broth continues to develop.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

• Placing noodles in serving bowls
• Ladling soup and meatballs over noodles
• Add garnishes

Tips to Perfect Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi

• Blend Gently: Mix chicken mixture lightly to keep meatballs tender and prevent tough texture.
• Sear for Flavor: Brown meatballs thoroughly to develop deep, caramelized exterior and seal in juices.
• Manage Heat Carefully: Cook curry paste just until fragrant to avoid burning and creating bitter notes.
• Balance Liquid Ratio: Adjust coconut milk and broth amounts to achieve desired soup consistency.
• Customize Garnishes: Add fresh herbs, crispy shallots, or extra chili oil to personalize flavor profile and texture.

Store & Reheat Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Without Losing Flavor

• Store in Airtight Container: Carefully transfer leftover meatballs and soup into a sealed glass or plastic container. Refrigerate promptly within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. These delicious Thai chicken meatballs will stay good for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Option: Separate liquid from meatballs before freezing to preserve texture. Place cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating Method: Gently warm meatballs and soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the mixture seems dry.

What Goes Well with Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: The light, slightly sweet German white wine cuts through the rich, spicy curry flavors, balancing the dish's complexity with its refreshing acidity.
• Complement with Thai Iced Tea: This sweet, creamy beverage provides a cooling counterpoint to the warm, spicy meatball khao soi, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match with Jasmine Rice Side: The subtle, fragrant rice helps soak up the aromatic coconut broth, adding texture and absorbing the deep, multilayered flavors of the dish.
• Serve with Pickled Vegetable Salad: Tangy, crunchy pickled vegetables offer a zesty contrast to the creamy, spicy meatballs, creating a vibrant and refreshing accompaniment.

Spicy and Mild Variations of Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi

• Spicy Coconut Meatball Fusion: Increase the heat by adding red chili flakes to the meatball mixture and incorporating sriracha into the broth for an extra kick of spiciness.
• Vegetarian Khao Soi Remix: Swap chicken meatballs with tofu or plant-based meatballs, using vegetable broth and adding more mushrooms for depth of flavor.
• Seafood Thai Noodle Bowl: Replace chicken with shrimp or white fish meatballs, using lighter coconut milk and adding fresh cilantro for a marine-inspired version of the classic dish.
• Low-Carb Thai Meatball Soup: Skip the noodles and serve the meatballs and broth over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, carb-conscious alternative.

Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Recipe

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4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi brings northern Thailand’s rich culinary traditions to your dinner table with minimal effort. Savory chicken meatballs nestled in creamy coconut curry noodles create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
• 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated

Liquid Base and Seasonings:

• 2 (14-ounce) cans (828 milliliters) full-fat coconut milk
• 3 cups (720 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce or low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Thai red curry paste
• Black pepper

Noodles, Vegetables, and Garnishes:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) egg or rice noodles
• 4 baby bok choy or 1 bunch kale, chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped, plus more for serving
• Sliced limes and thinly sliced shallots for serving
• Chili oil for serving
• ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup (15 grams) Thai or regular basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Blend ground chicken with finely chopped green onions, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and a dash of black pepper in a mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Lightly coat hands with vegetable oil and form the chicken mixture into compact spheres, approximately in size.
3. Warm of neutral cooking oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers with heat.
4. Gently introduce meatballs into the hot oil, rotating them periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all sides, which should take approximately 4-5 minutes.
5. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate, then add bok choy to the same pot, allowing it to develop slight charring and caramelization.
6. Reduce heat and introduce Thai red curry paste to the pot, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence.
7. Pour in full-fat coconut milk, unsalted chicken broth, fish sauce, and honey, whisking the liquid components to create a harmonious base.
8. Return meatballs and bok choy to the simmering liquid, allowing them to cook thoroughly and absorb the rich, spicy flavors.
9. Simultaneously prepare rice noodles according to package instructions, ensuring they are cooked al dente.
10. Assemble the dish by layering noodles in serving bowls, cascading the meatball curry over them, and finishing with fresh Thai basil leaves, thinly sliced green onions, crispy shallots, a squeeze of lime juice, and a drizzle of chili oil.

Notes

• Whip up this lightning-fast Thai chicken meatball khao soi when weeknight hunger strikes and time is tight.
• Packed with vibrant Southeast Asian flavors, these tender meatballs swim in a creamy, aromatic coconut broth that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.
• Combining ground chicken with zesty aromatics creates juicy meatballs that absorb the rich, spicy curry sauce like culinary sponges.
• Quick-searing meatballs before simmering ensures a beautiful golden exterior while maintaining incredible internal moisture and developing deep caramelized notes.
• Customize your bowl with optional garnishes like fresh herbs, crunchy shallots, and a splash of chili oil to elevate each spoonful with personal flair and textural excitement.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 585 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg