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    Recipes » Soup » Asian Soups

    Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    Published: Jan 5, 2018 · Modified: Sep 1, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 6 Comments

    Gluten FreeQuick Meals

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    Tom Kha Gai soup served in blue and white bowls

    A few months ago we ate at a local Thai restaurant and they served Tom Kha Gai soup to start the meal. We've eaten in a hundred Thai restaurants over the years and somehow had never tried this soup. It's a flavor explosion of lime, lemongrass, galangal, ginger, and coconut. Once I discovered it, we've been Thai restaurant hopping around town to try different versions. And though the broth is similar, every restaurant has a unique twist on the other elements. I've made a dozen versions to come to this Tom Kha recipe - it's a perfect balance of salty, tangy, creamy, sweet and spicy.

    Tom Kha Gai Thai Coconut Chicken Soup served in blue and white bowls

    It turns out that it's very simple and amenable to variation. I've added a few more vegetables than restaurants serve, but it makes for a heartier soup.

    Tom Kha Gai Soup served in patterned bowls

    I improvised on a couple of traditional Tom Kha that can be difficult to find: Chinese broccoli and kaffir lime leaves. I swapped in standard broccoli for Chinese and the juice and zest of two limes instead of the lime leaves. If you can find either of the traditional ingredients, use them! 10 to 12 lime leaves for the lime juice and zest and an equal amount of Chinese broccoli. And if you can't find galangal, use an equal amount of standard ginger.

    More Asian Inspired Recipes

    • Chinese Cucumber Salad
    • Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Soba Noodle Bowl
    • Cauliflower Fried Rice
    • Egg Roll in a Bowl
    • Crispy Baked Egg Rolls

    How to Make Tom Kha Gai Soup:

    1. Boil soup aromatics (lemongrass, galangal, ginger, shallots, jalepeno, lime juice and zest) in chicken broth.

    Tom Kha Gai aromatics
    Tom Kha broth in process

    2. Strain and discard aromatics.

    Strained Tom Kha aromatics

    3. Add vegetables to pot and layer with raw slices of chicken breast; cover to steam.

    Vegetables chopped for Tom Kha Gai
    Raw Chicken on Tom Kha Gai ready to steam

    4. Stir steamed chicken and vegetables into soup. Stir in coconut milk, Sambal Oelek and salt to taste and bring to boil. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

    Raw Chicken on Tom Kha Gai steamed
    Tom Kha Gai ready to serve
    Tom-Kha-Gai-Thai-Coconut-Chicken-Soup served in blue and white bowls featured

    Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    Marissa Stevens
    A classic Thai restaurant soup that's easy and fun to make at home!
    5 from 1 vote
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 338 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 stalks lemongrass tough outer layers removed, smashed and cut into 2" pieces
    • 1 ½ inch piece galangal root peeled and coarsely chopped
    • 1 inch piece ginger root peeled and coarsely chopped
    • 2 shallots peeled and quartered
    • 1 jalepeno seeded and coarsely chopped
    • 2 limes juice and zest or 10-12 kaffir lime leaves
    • 2 teaspoons golden brown sugar or palm sugar
    • 4 cups chicken broth
    • 2 carrots thinly sliced into rounds
    • ½ pound broccoli coarsely chopped, or Chinese broccoli also called gai-lan or kai lan
    • ½ pound Savoy cabbage coarsely chopped
    • ½ pound oyster mushrooms coarsely chopped
    • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast half thinly sliced (you could also use thighs)
    • 1 can full fat coconut milk
    • 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek or more
    • salt to taste
    • fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Combine first 7 ingredients (lemongrass through chicken broth) in a soup pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes.
    • Strain and discard solids and return broth to pot. Bring to boil and add next 4 ingredients (carrots through mushrooms). Stir then layer sliced raw over vegetables and cover. Steam 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through. Stir chicken into soup, separating any pieces that have stuck together.
    • Stir in coconut milk and bring to simmer. Add Sambal Oelek and salt to taste. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 14gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 1024mgPotassium: 1291mgFiber: 7gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 6125IUVitamin C: 103.2mgCalcium: 108mgIron: 6.2mg
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Asian Soups

    • Birria Ramen
    • Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Soy Sauce Eggs
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      January 10, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      I love adding coconut in dishes, but this post made me think that I've never added it in soup. I've got to fix this! And this chicken coconut soup is the perfect place to start 😉

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        January 11, 2018 at 10:42 am

        I'm so excited for you to try it, Ben!

        Reply
    2. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      January 08, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      I'm obsessed with Thai - so this is going on my MUST make list. Can't wait!!

      Reply
    3. David @ Spiced says

      January 08, 2018 at 5:18 am

      So I had no idea what it was called, but I think I've had something similar to this soup before. Laura and I went to a Thai place near us, and it was delicious...but I totally forgot about that soup until I saw this recipe. Looks delicious, Marissa, and I'm thinking a batch of this one would be welcomed on a cold day soon! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

      October 05, 2013 at 4:18 am

      I heard raves about this soup a few times, but of course I never took the time to make it. I really need to expand my asian food section, they have great flavors and are healthy usually. Looks divine Marissa!

      Reply
    5. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      September 26, 2013 at 7:17 am

      This is one of my favourite soups! I find it a bit more filling than Tom Yum so we love it for dinner. Your version looks fantastic! 😀

      Reply

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