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November 9, 2015 36 Comments

Coconut Chicken Soup

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Creamy Coconut Chicken Soup with Spinach and Lentils

 

A bowl of creamy coconut chicken soup with spinach, lentils and cashews

Creamy Coconut Chicken Soup with Spinach, Lentils and rich Indian spices – healthy, hearty, filling and delicious!

I’ve had a bit of wander-lust lately. We’re dreaming of our next big adventure but until we decide where in the world we’re going, I took a quick trip right from our Virginia kitchen. I love experimenting with the rich, aromatic spices of India and this Coconut Chicken Soup is a winner!

Soup is my preferred meal these days with all the rain and cool fall temperatures, it’s a warm, comforting meal. This Creamy Coconut Chicken Soup with Spinach and Lentils is loaded with amazing flavor and it’s very filling and satisfying, and healthy too!

 

A bowl of creamy coconut chicken soup with spinach, lentils, lemon and cashews

Use poached chicken or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for this coconut chicken soup.

The chicken is poached until tender then shredded. The chicken is added to sautéed onions, garlic, ginger and all the spices including cumin, garam masala, coriander and turmeric. For a simple shortcut, use rotisserie chicken instead!

Coconut milk, chicken broth and passata are poured into the pot to create a flavorful broth. Passata is a bottled raw tomato sauce found in most grocery stores.   I purchased Centro San Marzano Tomato Pure Passata from our local Wegman’s for this soup.  I love this product and they didn’t even ask me to say that!

 

A bowl of creamy chicken soup with lentils and spinach

Add spinach to this coconut chicken soup at the end to wilt.

There’s no need to cook the spinach, it wilts beautifully in just a few minutes in the hot broth. Garnish individual bowls of this coconut chicken soup with fresh parsley or cilantro and a few cashews. This delicious soup is a totally satisfying, complete meal!

 

Creamy Indian spiced soup with spinach and cashews

 

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A bowl of creamy coconut chicken soup with lentils and spinach

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5 from 2 votes

Creamy Coconut Chicken Soup with Spinach and Lentils

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Yield: 6
Course: Soup
Author: Tricia
PRINT RECIPE
Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you off - this is a simple soup with lots of spices and amazing flavor!

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 5 cups chicken broth homemade or store-bought, unsalted or low sodium preferred, divided
  • 1 sprig of fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large white onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 ½ tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
  • 1 cup passata (Italian sieved tomatoes)
  • 1 cup red lentils, sorted and rinsed
  • juice of ½ fresh lemon
  • 6 ounces baby spinach leaves
  • sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • fresh chopped parsley for garnish
  • a handful of chopped cashews, peanuts or almonds if desired

Instructions

To make the chicken:

  • Combine 2 cups of chicken stock, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper and the thyme sprig in a large skillet or sauté pan. Bring to a boil then add the chicken breasts making sure they fit in a single layer. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, turning at least once. Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Allow the chicken to rest in the hot broth and finish cooking for about 15 more minutes. Remove the chicken and cut into bite sized pieces or shred, set aside. Remove the thyme sprigs but keep the chicken stock handy.
  • While the chicken is cooking combine all the dry spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Once the chicken is shredded, heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high. Add the onion and sauté until it starts to soften. Add the garlic, ginger, and chicken. Sauté for 1 minute to combine. Add all the spices to the chicken mixture and stir until the chicken has taken up all the spices.
  • Pour the reserved and remaining 3 cups of chicken stock, coconut milk and passata into the soup pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Gently simmer the soup for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Add the lentils, cover the pot and continue to cook gently on low for another 15 minutes or until the lentils are cooked.
  • Remove from the heat and check the seasoning. And add salt and pepper to taste. Add the fresh lemon juice and the spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach is just wilted.
  • Serve immediately garnished with parsley and chopped cashews.

Finally, here are a few more delicious soup recipes you might like:

  • Potato Leek Soup with Homemade Croutons 
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
  • Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup

 

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36 Comments

  1. Heather says

    April 18, 2020 at 10:00 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! I altered this recipe to the instant pot. Just sautéed the onion, then added garlic/ginger/spice mix. Then dumped everything else in and set for 20 minutes. Came out perfect, chicken was super tender!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      April 19, 2020 at 7:46 am

      Outstanding! I’ll give it a try with your directions. Thanks so much Heather!

      reply to this comment >
  2. Dawn says

    February 29, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    This soup is really delicious! It uses all the spices we already use in our home and was super easy to make. Thank you for sharing!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      February 29, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      Thank you for letting me know Dawn!

      reply to this comment >
      • Christine says

        November 17, 2020 at 10:44 pm

        5 stars
        Indian Chicken Chili. We loved it!

        reply to this comment >
        • Tricia Buice says

          November 22, 2020 at 10:28 am

          Thanks Christine!

          reply to this comment >
  3. Mandy says

    November 13, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    Tricia, this is just my kind of meal.
    Have a happy weekend.
    🙂 Mandy xo

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 13, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      You too Mandy!

      reply to this comment >
  4. Dom says

    November 13, 2015 at 2:32 am

    oh wow, this looks so good! I really want to develop a similar vegetarian recipe because coconut soup was such a big favourite of The Vikings before he was a veggie… I need a bowl now please x

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 13, 2015 at 9:13 am

      Love soup and this one is delicious! Thanks so much!

      reply to this comment >
  5. Susan says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    What a delicious bowl of soup! All of those wonderful flavors and spices must make it warm and comforting going down. Love the spinach addition!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 13, 2015 at 9:17 am

      Thanks Susan – it is a very satisfying soup!

      reply to this comment >
  6. Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    This soup looks fantastic , I have to make it when we go our next rain storm .

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 13, 2015 at 9:19 am

      Thanks Gerlinde – it is tasty and satisfying. Have a great weekend.

      reply to this comment >
  7. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Well you know how I feel about soup! 🙂 Love this one. What great flavours and love the addition of lentils for a little extra goodness.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks Jennifer – the lentils thickens the soup a little but not too much – so warming and delicious. Stay warm!

      reply to this comment >
  8. Sheena @Tea and Biscuits says

    November 11, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    I’m a big soup fan, but I might be the only one in my house! My kids will eat it, but are not overly enthusiastic. I love the flavors in your soup, coconut and curry spices are a great combination!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Soup is such a great meal Sheena. Thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  9. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    November 11, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    We’re big into soups at this time of the year, too. It’s something we have at least once a week — usually more. And it’s going to be cold and rainy tonight, so I have a feeling it might be on the menu. 😉 Actually I should put THIS on the menu — so much flavor. And it looks terrific! Thanks.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks John – I love your soup recipes!

      reply to this comment >
  10. Foodiewife says

    November 10, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    I’m so thankful that our heat wave is finished, and I can finally enjoy soups. I just love them. I’ve never bought passata, but I am definitely keeping my eyes open for it. I tend to hoard canned tomatoes in every variety I can think of for whenever I need them. Plus, guess what? I can pressure cook the chicken breasts in five minutes! That’s another reason to invest in one. Wink, wink. Beautiful soup, and totally pinned to make.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:25 am

      Amen! I love this fall weather – and I need to look into that pressure cooker! Thanks 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  11. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    November 10, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    I can just smell all of those gorgeous spices, and I love how hearty you’ve made it with the lentils — can’t WAIT to make this one!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:26 am

      Thank you Sue!

      reply to this comment >
  12. Monica says

    November 10, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Tricia, I love how you do everything to the 10th power. As in I’ll make soup but you make *soup* and it is just 10x better. I know your family can taste not only how good your food is but the love you put into it. This soup really looks amazing! I am totally in soup mode, too. Last thing I made was red lentil with curry and ginger. It would be the very humble version of something spectacular like this! : )

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:26 am

      Aww you are so sweet Monica – this recipe may have a long list of ingredients but it is really easy to make. Have a lovely week!

      reply to this comment >
  13. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    November 10, 2015 at 9:03 am

    That’s a long list of ingredients, but I bet the soup must be very delicious!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:26 am

      It is Angie – thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  14. Diane (Created by Diane) says

    November 10, 2015 at 2:32 am

    What a fantastic flavor this has, I need to make it pronto!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:26 am

      Thank you Diane!

      reply to this comment >
  15. Chris Scheuer says

    November 10, 2015 at 1:16 am

    Oh Tricia, this is so pretty. I love the fresh spinach garnish. I could eat this type of soup every day and never tire of it. Thanks for the tip about passata too, I never heard of it before. Pinning this for all the chili days ahead!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:27 am

      Me too Chris 🙂 But I am sure you’re eating some amazing foods in France!

      reply to this comment >
  16. cheri says

    November 9, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Hi Tricia, I could eat this soup everyday for lunch and dinner, all of my favorites!! Gorgeous pics…..

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      November 11, 2015 at 8:27 am

      Thank you so much Cheri!

      reply to this comment >

Trackbacks

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    January 7, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    […] See the recipe here […]

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  2. #LBBBestOf Soup Spots in Delhi | Little Black Book, Delhi says:
    January 5, 2016 at 9:01 am

    […] Feature image courtesy: Saving Dessert […]

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