Tom Kha Gai
A fragrant and creamy Thai coconut chicken soup, featuring the distinct aromatic notes of galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. It's a comforting and milder counterpart to the fiery Tom Yum soup.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Chicken breast(Boneless, skinless, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- 800 ml Coconut milk(Full-fat, divided: 400ml for simmering, 400ml to add later for richness)
- 3 inches Galangal(Peeled and thinly sliced. Do not substitute with ginger; the flavor is distinct.)
- 3 stalks Lemongrass(Trimmed, bruised with the back of a knife to release aroma, and cut into 2-inch pieces.)
- 6 Kaffir lime leaves(Torn or bruised to release their citrusy fragrance.)
- 200 g Mushrooms(Sliced. Straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, or button mushrooms work well.)
- 3 tbsp Fish sauce(Adjust to taste. Use a good quality Thai fish sauce.)
- 4 tbsp Lime juice(Freshly squeezed. Adjust to taste for desired tanginess.)
- 1-3 Thai chilies(Optional, depending on desired heat. Sliced or left whole for milder heat.)
- 1/2 cup Cilantro(Fresh, chopped, for garnish. Some leaves can be added to the soup just before serving.)
- 200 ml Water or Chicken Broth(Optional, to adjust soup consistency if desired.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the aromatic base: In a medium pot, combine 400ml of coconut milk, sliced galangal, bruised lemongrass stalks, and torn kaffir lime leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat (around 175°C / 350°F if using an induction hob). Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the aromatics to infuse the coconut milk. Do not boil vigorously.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Add the chicken and mushrooms: Add the thinly sliced chicken breast and sliced mushrooms to the simmering coconut milk mixture. Continue to cook gently until the chicken is cooked through and opaque, and the mushrooms have softened, about 5-8 minutes. If using water or broth, add it now to reach desired soup consistency.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 3
Season and enrich: Stir in the fish sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Pour in the remaining 400ml of coconut milk for extra creaminess and richness. Stir gently and let it heat through for about 2 minutes, but avoid bringing it to a rolling boil.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Finish and serve: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice and the sliced Thai chilies (if using). Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to Tom Kha Gai is the balance of flavors: salty (fish sauce), sour (lime), spicy (chili), and aromatic (galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves). Adjust these to your preference.
- ✓Galangal has a unique piney, citrusy flavor that cannot be replicated by ginger. Use fresh galangal for the authentic taste.
- ✓For a richer soup, use full-fat coconut milk. You can also add a splash of heavy cream at the end for extra decadence.
- ✓Do not boil the soup after adding the lime juice, as it can curdle the coconut milk and diminish the fresh citrus flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Tom Kha Goong: Substitute chicken with peeled and deveined shrimp (add shrimp in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking).
- Vegetarian Tom Kha: Replace chicken with firm or extra-firm tofu (cubed and pan-fried or baked beforehand) and use a vegetarian fish sauce or soy sauce for seasoning.