Description
Learn how to make a delicious and authentic Tom Kha Gai Soup right in your own kitchen. This Thai coconut soup is bursting with flavors of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime, combined with tender chicken and mushrooms in a creamy coconut broth. It’s a comforting and aromatic soup that will transport you to Thailand with every spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 stalk lemongrass (cut into 3-inch pieces and smashed)
- 3 slices fresh galangal (or ginger if unavailable)
- 3 kaffir lime leaves (torn)
- 2 Thai bird’s eye chilies (smashed, optional for spice)
- 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup mushrooms (sliced, straw or button)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the coconut oil.
- Sauté aromatics: Add lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chilies if using. Sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Simmer broth: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add coconut milk: Pour in coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook chicken: Add sliced chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until just cooked through.
- Add mushrooms: Add mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Season the soup: Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and salt. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove aromatics: Before serving, remove lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute tofu for chicken and soy sauce for fish sauce.
- Galangal and kaffir lime leaves are recommended for authentic flavor but can be substituted if necessary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
