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If you are a fan of curry and laksa and are looking for a tasty and comforting meal to indulge in, this chicken laksa curry recipe is for you.
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This delicious meal comes with a cooking time of 30 minutes. You can savor this tasty meal as lunch or as an amazing dish to serve at a picnic or get-together.
In this dish, we experience a flavorful curry laksa broth made of chilies, nuts, spices, and herbs, not to mention the creamy coconut milk that is added to it.
The soft rice noodles join the vegetables, tofu puffs, and chicken chunks that turn it into a delicious bowl of flavors.
What Is Laksa Curry?
Laksa curry is a coconut milk-based Malaysian dish that is packed with flavor and nutrients.
What Is Laksa Paste?
Laksa pasta is a flavorful paste that contains dried chilies, shrimp paste, macadamia nuts, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, curry powder, ground turmeric, lemongrass, and a few other ingredients.
It can be homemade, or it can be bought as canned laksa paste online or in-store at Asian grocery stores.
What Does Laksa Taste Like?
Laksa is both sweet and savory with a hint of seafood, as it primarily contains coconut milk and dried shrimp.
Its distinct feature is the noodles, which are thick rice vermicelli cut into smaller pieces that you can easily munch on.
Is Chicken Laksa Curry Healthy?
Yes, chicken laksa curry is healthy, but as with everything else, it needs to be consumed in moderation.
To make your dish healthier, substitute chicken for tofu puffs or hard-boiled eggs and vegetables to boost your overall protein and fiber intake.
You can reduce your consumption of chili paste to decrease your sodium intake.
On a general note, chicken curry laksa can be healthy since chicken curry contains anti-inflammatory properties from turmeric, coriander, and chili pepper that may help manage certain health conditions.
Chicken Laksa Curry Ingredients
- Whole dried red chilies – These act as the spicy base for your curry laksa soup.
- Dried shrimps – For a fresh and seafood flavor that can’t be missed, adding this to your laksa curry soup is essential.
- Macadamia nuts – Forming a part of your laksa paste, macadamia nuts bring in a strong nutty taste that compliments your dish well.
- Coriander seeds – These provide a citrusy flavor that is both light and sweet. Plus, they’re super crunchy!
- Cumin seeds – Adding this to your laksa paste invite a warm and fulfilling taste with hints of citrus.
- Curry powder – This acts as one of the stars of your recipe and has a distinct taste since it contains both sweet and savory spices.
- Turmeric powder – Including this gives your curry laksa dish a bitter, almost musky, and peppery spice.
- Shrimp paste – This is both sweet and salty, with a strong shrimp flavor that will leave you wanting more.
- Galangal – For an extra citrusy touch, adding this flavor makes your dish even more indulging, as well as giving it a taste of pine and pepper.
- Garlic – Adding this helps your meal taste soft, tangy, and buttery.
- Onion – This is a must-have in your recipe as it gives a sweet and sour, as well as tangy, flavor.
- Lemongrass – Expect hints of citrus with a hint of ginger, plus a boost of a lemony aroma!
- Vegetable oil – This adds extra flavor and helps with adding texture when cooking your curry laksa.
- Package contains 3.5-ounces of Thai whole dried chile
- Are integral to Thai cooking
- The Galangal is a digestive spice, by Hildegard of Bingen, which tastes slight lemony pepper and helps you improve your intestinal transit and digestion.
- Product type : Food supplement
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – These tend to have more flavor than chicken breast meat, and pair really well with all sorts of sauces and spices.
- Chicken stocks – Adding this to your recipe allows for a mild savory taste that boosts the taste of your sauces, glazes, and soup bases.
- Coconut milk – This is filled with nuttiness and the aroma of tropical fruits, which gives your dish a combination of sweet, nutty, and salty flavors.
- Tofu puffs – Having a texture that is similar to that of eggy batter, fried tofu adds a soft and creamy element to your curry laksa dish.
- Rice noodles – These give your dish a uniquely sweet taste!
- Salt – You could never go wrong with a touch of refreshing salt!
- Fish sauce – This tastes salty, almost possessing a funky flavor that helps balance the flavor and aroma of your curry laksa.
- Sugar – Add this to your recipe for a touch of extra sweetness.
- Lime juice – This adds an acidic component to your dish, providing a sour taste that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Sambal Oelek – A spicy Indonesian chili paste made of hot red peppers, salt, and vinegar that can make a wonderful ingredient to your curry laksa dish.
- Thai red chilies – These are small and fiery hot peppers that give your laksa curry a sharp and pungent taste.
- Chopped cilantro – Mix this into your recipe to attain a fresh and citrusy taste, with notes of a nutty and spicy flavor.
Tools Needed To Prepare Chicken Laksa Curry Recipe
- Food processor for mixing ingredients.
- Saucepan for boiling noodles.
- Pan for frying vegetables.
- Bowl for serving curry laksa.
Ingredient Additions/Substitutions When Cooking Laksa Curry
Macadamia Nuts
If you can’t find macadamia nuts in your local grocery store, you may want to try cashews.
Like macadamia nuts, cashews have a creamy texture that can go well with the rest of your laksa curry.
Coriander Seeds
If you can’t find coriander seeds, you can substitute this with ground coriander by using 3/4 teaspoon of ground coriander for every 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds.
Vegetable Oil
If you would rather not use vegetable oil, refined coconut oil can be a great substitute, with a more pronounced and sweet coconut flavor.
- Happy Belly Fancy Whole Cashews have a delicate flavor and a firm texture for a rich, distinct taste
- Packaging might vary
- Coriander, Ground | Organic | Kosher Certified
- Hints of orange, anise and cumin lend depth to savory and sweet recipes
- NATURALLY EXTRACTED and NUTRIENT DENSE: Nutiva’s all-natural steam refining process yields a pure, taste and odor free, nutrient-rich oil containing 63% medium chain triglycerides and 50% lauric acid without the use of dangerous and harmful chemicals or hexane
- IDEAL FOR COOKING: Has a higher smoke point at 400°F than virgin coconut oil (350°F) and is perfect for frying and sautéing with a neutral scent and flavor where a coconut flavor is not desired
How to Make Laksa Curry (Step-by-Step)
Ingredients
Laksa Paste
- 8 whole dried red chilies soaked in hot water
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimps
- 2 tablespoons macadamia nuts
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- ½ tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
- 1-inch piece galangal
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 medium size onion, chopped
- 2 stalks of lemongrass (white part only)
Curry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into pieces
- 2 cups chicken stocks
- 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
- 6 – 8 pieces of Tofu puffs *
- 7 ounces rice noodles
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek (optional)
- Chopped Thai red chilies
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
STEP 1: Mix all the ingredients given under Laksa paste and put them in a food processor and blitz them until you get a paste-like consistency. Set aside.
STEP 2: Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil on high heat.
STEP 3: Turn off the heat and add the noodles. Let the noodles sit in hot water for 5 minutes. Once the noodles soften, drain and rinse them under cold water. (Make sure you read the cooking instructions on the packet as it might vary according to brand).
STEP 4: Heat vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the Laksa paste, and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the oil starts to separate.
STEP 5: Next, add the chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes until the chicken changes from pink to white.
STEP 6: Add chicken stock and coconut milk. Bring it to a boil. Cover and cook for 7 minutes.
STEP 7: Add tofu puffs, salt, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Adjust the seasoning as per your taste. Turn off the heat.
STEP 8: In a bowl, divide cooked rice noodles. Pour the curry over the noodles. Garnish with chopped cilantro, chopped Thai red chilies, and Sambal Oelek.
STEP 9: Serve warm and enjoy.
*To make tofu puffs, fry the tofu pieces on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy.
What to Serve With Laksa Curry
To bring in more vegetable flavors, you can combine sweet pumpkin with lime leaves to add a fresh citrus flavor to your Laksa.
The combination of pork and grilled pineapple adds a sweet and subtle taste to your Laksa.
Pairing your laksa curry with sweet and creamy coconut and fresh calamansi lime works very well, as it produces a fragrant base that you won’t help but indulge in.
Tips About Making The Laksa Curry Recipe
- Sambal Oelek is an optional ingredient but highly recommended as it adds heat to your Laksa.
- If you’re short on time, you can use packaged tofu puffs and Laksa pastes.
- You can change your toppings to your taste. Classic toppings range from bean sprouts, lime juice, wedges, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers (julienned), fried shallots, mint leaves, cilantro, chili paste, and red chilies.
How To Store Chicken Laksa Curry
It’s best to eat the prepared laksa bowl fresh, but you can freeze Laksa chicken curry without noodles and toppings for up to 2 months.
Alternatively, you can store it in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
When reheating frozen laksa or refrigerated laksa, thaw and heat the curry over a medium flame, until heated. You can add water if you think that it’s too thick.
Finally, cook fresh noodles and toppings separately.
FAQ About Chicken Laksa Curry
Is laksa curry spicy?Â
Yes, laksa curry is a delicious noodle soup that contains fresh ingredients such as red chilies and curry powder, so it is spicy.  Â
Are curry laksa bad for you?
Laksa is a dish that you should enjoy in moderation since it contains high fat content and about 2,000 mg serving of sodium.
Is curry laksa gluten-free?
Yes, various laksas can be served with celiac-friendly rice noodles, but you need to be careful with soups that contain mee (wheat noodles).Â
Where is curry laksa from?
Curry laksa originates from Malaysia, so it is a Malaysian soup. However, it can also be found in other South East Asian counties such as Singapore and Indonesia.Â
Chicken Laksa Curry
Chicken Laska curry is one of the most popular chicken curry dishes in Malaysia. It's spicy, creamy, coconutty, and loaded with flavor. It also has a punch of Umami flavors from dried shrimps and shrimp paste. It’s a great option for a hearty weeknight meal as curry Laksa comes together quite quickly, especially if you make the laksa paste in advance.
Ingredients
Laksa Paste
- 8 whole dried red chilies soaked in hot water
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimps
- 2 tablespoons macadamia nuts
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- ½ tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
- 1-inch piece galangal
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1 medium size onion, chopped
- 2 stalks of lemongrass (white part only)
Curry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into pieces
- 2 cups chicken stocks
- 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
- 6 - 8 pieces of Tofu puffs *
- 7 ounces rice noodles
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek (optional)
- Chopped Thai red chilies
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients given under Laksa paste and put them in a food processor, and blitz them until you get a paste-like consistency. Set aside.
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil on high heat.
- Turn off the heat and add the noodles. Let the noodles sit in hot water for 5 minutes. Once the noodles soften, drain and rinse them under cold water. (Make sure you read the cooking instructions on the packet as it might vary according to brand).
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the Laksa paste, and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the oil starts to separate.
- Next, add the chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes until the chicken changes from pink to white.
- Add chicken stock and coconut milk. Bring it to a boil. Cover and cook for 7 minutes.
- Add tofu puffs, salt, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Adjust the seasoning as per your taste. Turn off the heat.
- In a bowl, divide cooked rice noodles. Pour the curry over the noodles. Garnish with chopped cilantro, chopped Thai red chilies, and Sambal Oelek.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
*To make tofu puffs, Fry the tofu pieces on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy
Notes
- It’s best to consume the prepared Laksa bowl fresh. However, you can freeze Laksa chicken curry without noodles and toppings in an air-tight container for about 2 months. To reheat, thaw and heat the curry over a medium flame until heated (You can add some water if it’s too thick).
- You can also freeze the Laksa paste for later use.
- You can use packaged Tofu puffs and Laksa pastes if you’re short on time.
- Sambal Oelek (chili paste) is optional but recommended. It’s essential to add some heat and flavor to this Laksa.
- The most common toppings used in Laksa are – Bean sprouts, lime juice and wedges, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers (julienned), fried shallots, mint leaves, cilantro, chili paste, and red chilies. You can add/change toppings as per your liking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2651Total Fat: 172gSaturated Fat: 60gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 101gCholesterol: 171mgSodium: 3179mgCarbohydrates: 102gFiber: 27gSugar: 25gProtein: 229g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
This chicken curry laksa recipe is one of the most delicious curry laksa recipes you can try in the comfort of your own home.
It is a great meal to put together as we approach the cold season and one that will satisfy your cravings for all sorts of spices and Asian flavors.
You can pair curry laksa with various tasty sides, such as sweet pumpkin with lime leaves, pork and grilled pineapple, sweet and creamy coconut, and fresh and bitter calamansi lime.
The delicious mixture of spices, seasonings, chilies, vegetables, tofu, and chicken will leave a lasting flavor in your taste buds.
If you are feeling extra inspired, you can add any toppings that match your specific taste requirements, such as bean sprouts, lime juice, wedges, and hard-boiled eggs.
The aromatic flavors present in this dish will have you and your friends or family feeling motivated to explore all of the good stuff that’s added to the bowl.
So, give this appetizing and piquant dish a try and you might just find it becoming a regular recipe in your household!
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