Cozy Weeknight Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi Recipe

Steaming hot and bursting with flavor, this weeknight Thai chicken meatball khao soi recipe blends traditional Thai comfort with speedy cooking magic.

Fragrant spices dance through tender chicken meatballs nestled in a rich, creamy broth.

Each spoonful carries layers of complexity that surprise and delight hungry diners.

The hearty noodles soak up deep, warming coconut curry notes while crispy garnishes add delightful texture.

Perfectly balanced between creamy and zesty, this dish brings street food elegance directly to your dinner table.

Packed with authentic Thai flavors, these meatballs transform an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Let’s find out this soul-warming bowl and let your taste buds travel to the vibrant streets of northern Thailand.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 7

Thai Khao Soi Ingredients for a Flavor Explosion

• Ground Chicken: Lean and mild protein that creates tender, juicy meatballs with delicate texture and absorbs surrounding flavors perfectly.
• Egg: Binds meatball ingredients together and provides structure for cohesive chicken mixture.

• Ginger, Garlic: Powerful flavor boosters that add warm, zesty undertones and traditional Thai depth to the dish.
• Green Onions: Introduces fresh, mild onion brightness and vibrant green color to meatballs and garnish.
• Fresh Cilantro, Thai Basil: Delivers authentic Southeast Asian herbaceous notes with bright, complex aromatics.

• Coconut Milk: Creates rich, creamy base with subtle sweetness and smooth texture for entire dish.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and additional savory liquid foundation for developing complex flavors.
• Fish Sauce: Introduces umami saltiness and traditional Southeast Asian fermented complexity.
• Thai Red Curry Paste: Provides concentrated spicy, tangy flavor profile with traditional Thai seasoning.
• Honey: Balances spiciness with subtle sweetness and helps caramelize meatball exterior.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps sauté and create golden exterior for meatballs.
• Soy Sauce: Offers backup seasoning with salty, robust undertone.

• Noodles: Serves as hearty, filling base for absorbing flavorful broth.
• Bok Choy, Kale: Introduces nutritious green vegetable with varied texture.

Utensils and Prep Tools to Keep Handy

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for blending chicken, green onions, ginger, and seasonings.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Large pot: Crucial for searing meatballs and creating the soup base.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and sauces.
• Cooking tongs: Useful for turning and handling meatballs while searing.
• Ladle: Perfect for serving soup over noodles.
• Colander: Helps drain noodles after cooking.

Crafting Thai Chicken Meatball Soup with a Twist

• Meatball Magic Mixing fresh chicken with zesty aromatics creates a flavor explosion that'll make your taste buds dance. Blend green onions, ginger, garlic, and a whisper of pepper into ground chicken until everything hugs together perfectly.
• Shaping Sensation gently roll the mixture into bite-sized spheres using lightly oiled palms. Each meatball should feel smooth and compact like tiny flavor bombs ready to burst.
• Sizzling Start heat a large pot with oil until it shimmers with potential. Carefully nestle meatballs into the pan, letting them transform into golden-brown treasures with crispy exteriors.
• Sauce Symphony introduce curry paste to the pot, awakening incredible fragrances that will fill your kitchen with anticipation. Pour in creamy coconut milk, savory chicken broth, umami-rich fish sauce, and a touch of sweet honey.
• Flavor Fusion return meatballs to the bubbling sauce, allowing them to soak up every delicious note. Toss in tender bok choy for a fresh green crunch that complements the rich sauce.
• Noodle Nest cook noodles until they're perfectly tender and ready to absorb the incredible broth. Arrange them as a welcoming base in deep bowls.
• Final Flourish shower your creation with fresh basil, bright green onions, crispy shallots, a squeeze of zesty lime, and a drizzle of spicy chili oil. Each bowl becomes a canvas of Thai-inspired deliciousness.

Flavor Tweaks for Weeknight-Friendly Thai Noodles

• Wet your hands slightly before shaping chicken mixture to prevent sticking and create smoother, more uniform meatballs that hold together perfectly.
• Adjust curry paste quantity based on heat preference – less for mild lovers, more for spice enthusiasts who enjoy a fiery kick in their Thai-inspired dish.
• Swap chicken with ground turkey or lean pork for different protein variations that still maintain the recipe's incredible flavor profile.
• Replace bok choy with spinach, kale, or mixed vegetables depending on seasonal availability or personal vegetable preferences.
• Make meatballs ahead of time and freeze them uncooked, allowing you to have a speedy weeknight dinner ready in minutes when needed.

Garnish and Serve Ideas for Thai-Inspired Bowls

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Top each serving with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a drizzle of chili oil to elevate the meatball khao soi's taste profile.
• Noodle Nest Technique: Create a beautiful base by arranging hot noodles in a circular pattern, then gently place meatballs and bok choy on top for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Textural Crunch Boost: Add crispy fried shallots or crushed peanuts as a final garnish to introduce an exciting crunch that contrasts with the creamy coconut broth.
• Spice Level Customization: Serve with small bowls of extra chili oil, fresh sliced chilies, and lime wedges so each person can adjust the heat and tanginess to their personal preference.

Freezing or Saving Leftover Khao Soi

• Smart Batch Cooking: Whip up double the meatballs and sauce on Sunday, storing them separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners that save time and energy.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Uncooked meatballs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when placed in a sealed freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Cooked dish stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days – keep noodles and soup separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Lunch Prep Hero: Pack components in divided containers with sauce in a separate small jar, allowing you to reheat meatballs and noodles just before eating for maximum flavor and freshness.

Comforting Thai Chicken Meatball Khao Soi

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty weeknight thai chicken meatball khao soi delivers northern Thai comfort in a bowl. Spicy coconut broth, tender meatballs, and crisp noodles create a perfect balance of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
• 2 (14 oz) (828 ml) full-fat coconut milk
• 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 8 oz (226 g) egg or rice noodles
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Thai red curry paste
• 3 tbsps fish sauce or low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• 4 baby bok choy or 1 bunch kale, chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped, plus more for serving
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup (15 g) Thai or regular basil, chopped
• Sliced limes and thinly sliced shallots for serving
• Chili oil for serving
• Black pepper

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Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly mix ground chicken with green onions, ginger, garlic, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
2. Shaping: Lightly oil hands and craft compact, uniform meatballs, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking.
3. Searing: Heat neutral oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, then carefully introduce meatballs, rotating to achieve a golden-brown crust across all surfaces, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Vegetable Caramelization: Remove meatballs and quickly sauté bok choy in the same pot, developing slight char and intensifying flavors.
5. Flavor Base: Reduce heat and incorporate Thai red curry paste, stirring constantly to prevent scorching while releasing its aromatic compounds.
6. Liquid Integration: Whisk together coconut milk, chicken broth, fish sauce, and honey, creating a rich, complex sauce.
7. Simmering: Return meatballs and bok choy to the liquid, allowing them to cook thoroughly and absorb the robust, spicy essence.
8. Noodle Preparation: Cook rice noodles to al dente according to package instructions.
9. Plating: Arrange noodles in serving bowls, ladle meatball curry over them, and garnish with Thai basil, green onions, crispy shallots, fresh lime juice, and a drizzle of chili oil.

Notes

• Meatball Mixing Tip: Gently blend ingredients to prevent dense, tough meatballs – overmixing breaks down protein and creates a tough texture.
• Oil Coating Technique: Lightly oil hands before shaping meatballs to prevent sticking and create smooth, uniform spheres.
• Flavor Development Trick: Brown meatballs thoroughly to create a caramelized exterior that locks in moisture and adds deep, rich flavor complexity.
• Spice Balance Strategy: Adjust Thai red curry paste quantity based on personal heat tolerance – start with less and gradually increase for perfect spice level.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg