Thailand Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Soup)
Tom kha gai, or Thai coconut soup, is a sour and spicy soup made with chicken, coconut milk, and a variety of tropical herbs and vegetables. Galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chilies flavor this aromatic dish that has become famous around the world. Recipe Servings: Serves 4
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- 6 cups (1.5 l) coconut milk
- 1 piece (1/2 inch/4 cm) galangal
- 3 stalks lemongrass
- 2 small white onions
- 2 tomatoes
- 6 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 large handfuls oyster mushrooms
- 5–10 thai chilies
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt, to taste
- 4 Tbsp (60 ml) fresh lime juice
- Small bunch of fresh cilantro
Directions
- Cut off stems from galangal and cut root into thin slices.
- Prepare lemongrass by slicing off stalk bottoms, removing outer layer, and slicing diagonally into 1-inch (2.5-cm) strips.
- Pour 3 cups (700 ml) of coconut milk, galangal, and lemongrass into a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.
- As coconut milk begins to heat, slice chicken into medium-sized chunks.
- Just before coconut milk comes to a boil, add chicken followed by remaining 3 cups (700 ml) of coconut milk.
- Before coconut milk boils, reduce heat to medium-low to avoid scalding coconut milk.
- Peel stems of Thai chilis and slice diagonally. Add to soup.
- Stir soup, then add oyster mushrooms.
- Reduce heat to low. When stirring, move the spoon in one direction only to avoid curdling.
- Peel and slice onions into thick wedges and add to soup.
- Cut tomatoes into thick wedges and add to soup.
- Break kaffir lime leaves into pieces in your hand, then add to soup. Add about 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of salt, or to taste.
- Stir soup slowly and gently for 5–10 minutes, making sure it doesn’t come to a full boil. If the soup does boil, reduce the heat.
- Turn off heat but do not remove soup from stove.
- Chop cilantro and add to soup.
- Add lime juice and stir gently.
- Serve immediately.
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