Healthified Thai Chicken Soup

Prep Time:30 Mins | Total Time:30 Mins | Makes:6 Servings

1 tsp (5 mL) canola oil

1 small onion, cut into thin wedges (1 cup/250 mL)

2 cups (500 mL) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin bite-size strips (1 cup/250 mL)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp (5 mL) red curry paste

1 carton (900 mL) reduced-sodium chicken broth (about 4 cups)

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) shredded cooked chicken breast

1 tsp (5 mL) packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

1 tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch

2 tbsp (25 mL) cold water

1 can (400 mL) reduced-fat (light) coconut milk (not cream of coconut)

4 cups (1 L) fresh baby spinach leaves

2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh cilantro

Lime wedges, if desired

In 4-quart nonstick Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bell pepper and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat; stir in curry paste until melted.
Stir in broth, chicken, brown sugar and salt. Return to heat. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
In small bowl, stir cornstarch and water until smooth. Add cornstarch mixture and coconut milk to soup mixture; heat to boiling. Cook over medium heat about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
Stir in spinach and cilantro. Cook about 1 minute or just until mixture is hot and spinach is wilted. Serve soup with lime wedges.

What is "Healthified" : We've replaced ingredients with great-tasting alternatives to create better-for-you recipes that are just as yummy as the originals.Variation : Like it spicy? Add 1/2 to 1 tsp (2 to 5 mL) additional curry paste.Purchasing : Coconut milk and curry paste are both available at many supermarkets in the Asian foods aisle, or look for these specialty products at Asian markets. Substitution&nbsp: If you don't have cornstarch, you can use 2 tbsp all-purpose flour instead. Increase the amount of cold water to 1/4 cup.