Heat the oil
Pour the oil into a large soup pot and place it over a high heat.

Cook the vegetables
When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion, garlic and pepper, and cook while stirring for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Next, add the shredded carrot and the stock and stir. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

Add the chicken and noodles
Once the liquid has started to boil, add the chicken and leave it to simmer for 5 minutes. Now add the noodles and simmer for a further 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and serve
Remove the soup from the heat and add the lime juice to give it a slightly tangy flavour. Finally, ladle it into soup bowls and garnish with the chopped coriander, a basil leaf and a sprinkling of bean sprouts.