When my kids first asked for Cheats Chicken Laksa, I realized I needed a recipe that would fit into a busy weeknight without a lot of fuss. They’d tasted this delicious Southeast Asian noodle soup at a friend’s place and couldn’t stop talking about the flavors. I wanted to make something that captured that excitement but was quick enough to whip up during homework and bedtime chaos. This Cheats Chicken Laksa quickly became a staple, not just for its taste but how it turned dinner into a lively family moment.
I remember the first time I served this Cheats Chicken Laksa. The kids’ eyes lit up with every bite, and even my picky eater who usually stalls at anything new asked for seconds. That moment reminded me how a great meal can bring everyone closer around the table. It’s easy enough that I prepare it after a hectic day, yet special enough to make mealtime feel like something worth looking forward to.
What’s wonderful about this Cheats Chicken Laksa is how it blends convenience with bold, comforting flavors. Using an instant laksa paste makes the whole process a breeze, turning a dish that could easily be time-consuming into a quick laksa recipe that fits the rhythm of everyday family life. If you’re looking for a dish that combines authentic taste with the ease of a laksa soup shortcut, this is the recipe to try.
Whether you’re new to Southeast Asian noodles or a longtime fan, this Cheats Chicken Laksa offers a delicious, doable recipe that you can feel confident making. It has earned a permanent spot in my meal rotation because it always delivers those warm, comforting flavors without demanding hours in the kitchen. I hope you’re excited to bring this easy chicken laksa into your home and enjoy those happy dinner table moments with your family, too.
Feeling inspired? Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to make this Cheats Chicken Laksa come together perfectly for your next meal.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the ingredient list for the Cheats Chicken Laksa I make at home. Trust me, this Cheats Chicken Laksa ingredient list keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor!
- 2 tablespoons instant laksa paste (choose a brand you like for the perfect balance)
- 3 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought works fine)
- 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat for creaminess)
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced or shredded (my family prefers breast meat for lean protein)
- 200g rice noodles or laksa noodles (soak or cook per package instructions)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 red chili, sliced (optional for a little heat)
- A handful of fresh bean sprouts
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (to squeeze over before serving)
- Salt to taste

For the best Cheats Chicken Laksa, I recommend picking a good-quality instant laksa paste—it makes all the difference. You’ll find everything for this Cheats Chicken Laksa at your regular grocery store, often in the international aisle or Asian section.
This Cheats Chicken Laksa is forgiving if you need to swap ingredients. For example, if you can’t find rice noodles, you can use vermicelli or even thin spaghetti in a pinch. If coconut milk is tricky to get, canned coconut cream mixed with water works well too.
Here’s a Cheats Chicken Laksa secret that makes all the difference: sauté your garlic and onion first to bring out their sweetness before adding the laksa paste. It deepens the flavor without extra effort.
Before diving in, have your chicken prepped and noodles ready. It really keeps things moving smoothly in the kitchen and cuts down on stress for this quick laksa recipe. Now, let’s get cooking and bring your Cheats Chicken Laksa to life!
How to Make It
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sliced onion. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened. This step sets up the flavor base for your Cheats Chicken Laksa, so don’t skip it!
2. Stir in the instant laksa paste. Cook it with the garlic and onion for another minute. You’ll notice the aroma filling your kitchen—that’s when you know you’re on the right track.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk. Give everything a good stir to combine. Your Cheats Chicken Laksa is starting to come together beautifully now.
4. Add the chicken slices to the simmering broth. Lower the heat and let the chicken gently cook through, which usually takes about 10 minutes. You’ll know your Cheats Chicken Laksa is ready when the chicken is cooked and tender.
5. While the chicken cooks, prepare your noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. For this shortcut, I like to soak them in hot water to save time.
6. Add bean sprouts and sliced chili to the soup for freshness and heat. Let them soften in the broth for a minute or two.
7. Taste your Cheats Chicken Laksa soup and add salt if needed. Some instant laksa pastes are salty, so adjust carefully.
8. To serve, divide noodles among bowls and ladle hot soup and chicken over them. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Encourage squeezing lime on top; it brightens every bite.
This Cheats Chicken Laksa typically takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish—perfect when you want a comforting meal without spending your evening in the kitchen. Don’t worry if your soup looks a little different each time; the flavors come out beautifully even with small changes in broth or paste.
Here’s where I used to mess up my Cheats Chicken Laksa—letting the soup boil rapidly. Now, I keep it at a gentle simmer to keep the coconut milk from breaking and to maintain that silky texture.
While your Cheats Chicken Laksa is cooking, you’ll have time to set the table or prep a simple side salad, making meal prep feel manageable and enjoyable.
Serving Ideas
Everyone reaches for seconds when this Cheats Chicken Laksa comes out with a crisp cucumber salad on the side to balance the spicy, creamy broth. My family especially loves pairing it with toasted garlic bread for soaking up every last drop.

This Cheats Chicken Laksa is perfect for those nights when you want something really satisfying but don’t have hours to cook. It’s also a winner for casual dinner parties where you want bold flavors without complicated prep.
For presentation, I like to add fresh herbs and a few extra bean sprouts on top, making the bowls look colorful and inviting. A final squeeze of lime brightens the flavors and adds a fresh zing that makes this Cheats Chicken Laksa stand out.
If you happen to have leftovers, store the soup and noodles separately in the fridge to keep the noodles from getting mushy. Reheat the soup gently on the stove and add fresh noodles when serving.
I’ve tried variations by swapping chicken for tofu or shrimp, and both work wonderfully in this Cheats Chicken Laksa style. Sometimes I add a soft-boiled egg for extra richness, which everyone enjoys.
If your family loves this, they’ll also enjoy other easy soups like the Chicken Alfredo Soup or Chili’s Chicken Enchilada Soup recipes on MomsGate. These meals are fantastic for quick weeknight comfort.
Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this Cheats Chicken Laksa ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the broth and chicken in advance, then store the soup and noodles separately. Assemble and heat just before eating for the best experience. I often do this on busy days to save time.
Q: What if I don’t have instant laksa paste?
A: You can try making a quick laksa soup shortcut with store-bought curry paste mixed with a bit of coconut milk and some basic spices like turmeric and chili powder. It won’t be exactly the same but will still be tasty. For inspiration, check out My super simple and easy curry laksa soup when you want that …
Q: How do I store leftover Cheats Chicken Laksa?
A: Store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the noodles separately to avoid sogginess. Reheat gently and add fresh lime and herbs to refresh the dish.
Q: Is this Cheats Chicken Laksa spicy?
A: It depends on your laksa paste and how much chili you add. I usually leave the chili optional for my family but add extra for guests who like heat.
Q: Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
A: Yes! Leftover roast or grilled chicken works great. Add it in the last few minutes so it warms through without drying out.
Q: What type of noodles work best?
A: Laksa noodles or rice vermicelli are perfect. For a shortcut, you can even use thin spaghetti if you’re in a pinch.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: You can replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and swap chicken for tofu or mushrooms for a lovely vegetarian Cheats Chicken Laksa option.
If you want more ideas, check out other noodle bowls on Marion’s Kitchen or Laksa Noodle Soup – RecipeTin Eats for authentic inspiration and quick Southeast Asian noodles tips.
The Final Word
This Cheats Chicken Laksa has earned its place in my recipe collection as a true family favorite. It’s a reliable meal win that doesn’t demand hours but delivers big on flavor and comfort. Whether we want a quick dinner on a weeknight or a cozy meal on the weekend, this recipe fits the bill perfectly.
My Cheats Chicken Laksa Tips:
- Use good-quality instant laksa paste to keep the flavor authentic and bold.
- Always sauté garlic and onion first to build a richer broth without extra ingredients.
- Prepare noodles separately to avoid soggy textures and keep everything fresh.
I’ve tried versions swapping chicken for shrimp, tofu, or adding hard-boiled eggs—each brings something new while staying easy. My kids love the classic chicken version, while my husband enjoys it with extra heat and shrimp.
I encourage you to make this Cheats Chicken Laksa your own by tweaking ingredients to what your family likes best. It’s flexible, forgiving, and delicious—just the way family meals should be.
I hope your family loves this Cheats Chicken Laksa as much as mine does. Here’s to many happy meals around your table filled with warmth, flavor, and conversation.
If you want more comforting soups with familiar ingredients, MomsGate has other great meals like Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup that fit busy family life beautifully.
Ready to bring this Cheats Chicken Laksa into your kitchen? Feel confident, have fun, and enjoy every spoonful!
Cheats Chicken Laksa
A comforting and flavorful cheats version of the classic spicy Malaysian chicken laksa, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Malaysian
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp laksa paste (store-bought)
- 400ml coconut milk
- 500ml chicken stock
- 300g cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 150g rice noodles
- 100g bean sprouts
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the laksa paste and cook for 2 minutes to release its flavors.
- Pour in the coconut milk and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the shredded chicken and let it heat through for about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
- Divide the noodles between serving bowls and ladle the hot laksa soup over them.
- Top with bean sprouts, spring onions, and fresh coriander.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a drizzle of sriracha or sliced red chili. You can also substitute chicken with tofu or prawns for variation.

