- 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 quart canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
- 2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
- 5 teaspoons Asian fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc mam) or soy sauce
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 2 3-inch-long strips lime zest
- 1/2 pound egg fettuccine
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
- In a large pot, heat the cooking oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, coriander, ginger, black pepper, and cayenne; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Add the broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, salt, and lime zest. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the fettuccine until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain.
- Add the chicken to the soup and simmer until just done, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fettuccine, lime juice, and cilantro, if using. Serve the soup in bowls with a fork and spoon.