Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup) 🍲🌿
Creamy, comforting, and fragrant—this classic Thai soup blends coconut milk, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs into a bowl of pure warmth. It’s a beautiful mix of spice, citrus, and soothing richness, ideal for a cozy night in or when you need a touch of culinary escape.
🛒 Ingredients:
🥥 Coconut Milk – 400 ml
🍗 Chicken Broth – 2 cups
🐔 Chicken Breast – 300 g, thinly sliced
🍄 Mushrooms – 1 cup, sliced (shiitake or button work well)
🌿 Lemongrass – 2 stalks, cut into 5 cm pieces and lightly smashed
🌱 Galangal (or ginger, if unavailable) – 3–4 slices
🍃 Kaffir Lime Leaves – 4–5, torn into pieces
🌶️ Thai Red Chili Peppers – 2–3, sliced (adjust to your heat preference)
🍋 Fish Sauce – 2 tbsp (or more, to taste)
🍋 Lime Juice – 1 tbsp (plus extra wedges for serving)
🍬 Sugar – 1 tsp (optional, for balance)
🌿 Fresh Cilantro Leaves – for garnish
🍃 Fresh Basil Leaves – for garnish (optional)
🧅 Green Onions – chopped, for garnish
👩🍳 Method:
🍲 1. Prepare the Aromatic Broth:
In a large pot, combine the coconut milk and chicken broth. Toss in the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chilies.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and let the herbs infuse their magic for a few minutes.
🍗 2. Add Chicken and Mushrooms:
Once the broth is fragrant, slide in the thinly sliced chicken and mushrooms. Simmer for around 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the mushrooms are soft and flavorful.
🌶️🍋 3. Season to Taste:
Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and a bit of sugar (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning—more fish sauce for saltiness, more lime juice for a fresh tang, or more chili for heat.
🌿 4. Garnish and Serve:
Ladle into bowls and finish with a sprinkle of cilantro, basil, and green onions. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for that final citrusy pop.
⏱ Serving Info:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
🍴 Servings: 4
💡 Tips:
Want more heat? Add an extra chili or leave the seeds in.
Can’t find galangal? Ginger makes a great stand-in.
Don’t be shy with the lime juice—it really brightens everything.
This velvety, vibrant soup brings Thailand’s soul-warming flavours straight to your kitchen. Whether it’s a starter or a full meal with jasmine rice, Tom Kha Gai is comfort in a bowl. 🥥🍋🌶️