Just a quick post to share this delicious dish with everyone. I was in search of something different to make for dinner that would warm our bones on a rainy winter night. Truth be told, it’s been unseasonable warm so far this winter. Regardless, the rain makes me want to curl up with a good book, cup of coffee, or a bowl of something steaming and delicious.
I searched around online for an Asian chicken noodle soup recipe and found one from Food and Wine that looked promising. I doctored it up slightly adding lots of vegetables and it was fantastic. I think you could easily make this vegetarian by changing out the chicken stock for vegetable stock and omitting the chicken. It would also be amazing with shrimp! Alas, my husband is allergic… no shrimp in our house. The recipe called for spaghettini, but I think rice noodles would be equally nice. This dish reminded us of a hot and sour vegetable soup we always order from our local Thai restaurant. Super healthy and full of flavor with a spicy kick. This will be a regular on our dinner table.
Adapted from Food & Wine
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp grapeseed oil or other neutral cooking oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (or more if you want it really spicy)
- 1 1/2 qts chicken stock (48oz)
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp Asian fish sauce
- 1 cup cilantro leaves, plus additional 1/4 cup chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 lb spaghettini (angel hair or spaghetti is fine also)
- 2 small baby bok choy, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, matchstick sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1 cup snow peas
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Sliced scallions for serving
- Sriracha sauce for serving (optional and only if you want it really spicy)
Heat a heavy dutch oven over moderate heat and add the oils to the pan. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, chili powder and red pepper flakes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything softens and becomes fragrant.
Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, whole chicken thighs, fish sauce, salt and cilantro leaves. Stir to combine and bring to a hearty simmer. Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
While the soup is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles until just underdone. About a minute less than the package states. They will cook for a minute in the soup and you don’t want them to over cook. Drain and set aside.
Remove the chicken from the pot once it’s cooked properly and cut into bite sized pieces. Allow the broth to simmer for another 10 minutes. At this point, add the bok choy, bell pepper and snap peas. Cook for another 3 minutes. Add the snow peas, chicken, pasta, remaining chopped cilantro and lime juice. Cook for another minute. Stir and serve.
Top with sliced scallions. If you like it hot, add a squirt of Sriracha sauce.
Enjoy!