Tom Kha Gai Soup
This popular Thai coconut soup is called Tom Kha Gai soup. Tom means 'boiled' or 'soup', Kha means galangal root, and Gai means chicken. Galangal is a member of the ginger family, and looks and tastes quite similar, but with a more intense, peppery, pungent flavor.This soup has a little heat that is well-balanced with rich, creamy coconut! A brothy soup with rich Thai flavors. This recipe goes together quickly and easily.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 5 garlic cloves grated or minced
- 1 pound chicken boneless, skinless breast or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 4 cup chicken broth
- 2 to 3 lime leaves optional
- 1 3-inch galangal, or ginger root peeled and grated
- 2 tablespoons lemongrass paste
- 3 tablespoons chopped Thai basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper or black if you don’t mind the specks
- 2 15-ounce cans coconut milk full fat
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or soup pot set over medium-high heat, melt the coconut oil and stir in the onions and cook until softened; stir in curry paste and garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken strips and mushrooms, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. (see notes)
- Pour in the chicken broth, add the lime leaves, galangal or ginger, lemongrass paste, Thai basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with sliced green onions
Notes
- If using chicken thighs sauté for 6 to 8 minutes. The chicken continues to cook while simmering.
- Lime leaves are located with the small flat packets of fresh herbs
- You can find tubes of lemongrass paste in most major grocery stores, in the produce dept.
- Do not boil the soup once the coconut milk is added, as it may curdle the soup.
- For an extra creamy texture use, 1 can of coconut milk and 1 can of coconut cream instead of the 2 cans of coconut milk.
