Spicy chicken curry Laksa soup is flavored with an intense laksa paste made from chiles, nuts, spices, and herbs and enriched with creamy coconut milk. Tender rice noodles, vegetables, tofu puffs, and chunks of chicken make it a satisfying meal in a bowl.
8whole dried red chiliessoaked in hot water for 15 minutes, then drained
2tablespoonsdried shrimp
2tablespoonschopped macadamia nuts
1tablespoonshrimp paste
1tablespooncurry powder
1tablespooncoriander seeds
1 ½teaspoonscumin seeds
1teaspoonground turmeric
1-inchpiece galangal or ginger
5garlic cloves
1onionchopped
2stalks lemongrasswhite part only
For the soup
8ouncesrice noodles
2tablespoonsneutral oil
2skinlessboneless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
2cupschicken broth
114-ounce can coconut milk
6 to 8piecesof tofu puffs *
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonsugar
2teaspoonsfish sauce
1tablespoonlime juice
For garnish
Chile chile paste or sambal oelek
Chopped Thai red chiles
Chopped cilantro
Instructions
To make the laksa paste, combine the paste ingredients in a food processor and pulse to a paste.
Cook the noodles according to the package directions and then drain.
To make the soup, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the Laksa paste, and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, until the oil begins to separate. Add the chicken and cook 3 to 4 minutes more, until the chicken changes color from pink to white.
Add the broth and coconut milk and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 7 minutes.
Add the tofu puffs, salt, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
To serve, divide the noodles between the serving bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles.
Serve hot, garnished with the chiles, chile paste, and cilantro.
Add chicken stock and coconut milk. Bring it to a boil. Cover and cook for 7 minutes.
Notes
The prepared soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze the soup without the noodles, preparing fresh noodles just before serving. To reheat frozen laksa, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it over a medium flame until heated through. You may need to add a bit of water or broth if the soup has become too thick.
Laksa paste can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Sambal Oelek (chili paste) is optional but recommended. It’s essential to add some heat and flavor to this Laksa.
Common curry laksa toppings are bean sprouts, lime juice and wedges, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers (julienned), crispy fried shallots, mint leaves, cilantro, chili paste, and red chilies. Add or combine toppings however you like!