Description
This creamy and flavorful Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, or Tom Kha Gai, is a comforting and aromatic dish perfect for any occasion. It’s packed with tender chicken, exotic spices, and the rich, subtle sweetness of coconut milk, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
- 4–5 kaffir lime leaves
- 1 inch piece of galangal (or ginger), sliced
- 4–6 Thai chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or button mushrooms work well)
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth, coconut milk, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chilies. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and mushrooms to the simmering broth. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more fish sauce for saltiness, lime juice for acidity, or brown sugar for sweetness.
- Remove the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves before serving.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and green onions.
Notes
- For a spicier soup, add more Thai chilies. For a milder soup, reduce the amount or remove the seeds.
- Galangal can be found in most Asian grocery stores. If unavailable, ginger can be substituted, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 25g
