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    You Are Here Home » Asian Recipes

    Published: May 2, 2021 Updated: Jun 22, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

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    Tom Kha Gai pin

    Tom Kha Gai is a spicy Thai chicken soup with a savory-umami flavor. The soup is sweetened with coconut milk and a small touch of palm sugar. Although Tom Kha Gai contains chicken, there are other popular Thai soup variations, including Tom Yum, in which the coconut milk is left out.

    Tom Kha Gai in a green bowl with lime wedge

    In my last post, I shared my son's Iced Latte recipe. I'm equally as excited to share this Tom Kha Gai recipe that my daughter, Nena, and I developed together last week. If you had told me a few years ago that my kids and I would be creating recipes together, I would have said: "you're crazy!" Yet, here we are killing it!

    Unlike Scotty, Nena has never enjoyed cooking. However, after she moved out on her own, she decided to ease into cooking by learning how to prepare various soups.

    Soup has always been one of Nena's favorite foods, especially Poblano Soup. But what really blew me away was when she made Stuffed Cabbage (Dolma), All. By. Herself. I couldn't be more proud!

    So last week, Nena and I decided to tackle preparing a new favorite, Tom Kha Gai (Tom {soup}, Kha {galangal root}, Gai (chicken). Although the "Gai" stands for "chicken," Nena opted for shrimp instead. She also added carrots and cherry tomatoes. The soup was delicious, especially for our first attempt.

    Tom Kha Gai
    Jump to:
    • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒 What you need to make Tom Kha Gai
    • 🔖 Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • 🍲How to Make Tom Kha Gai
    • 🍋What to serve with Tom Kha Gai
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 🍵 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    The following day I made a second batch using chicken. I left out the carrots and tomatoes and added scallions and onions instead. This is the recipe I'm sharing today.

    🧐 Why This Recipe Works

    For starters, this Tom Kha Gai recipe is absolutely perfect! It's easy to prepare, yet will impress anyone you serve it to. Although some of the ingredients might be hard to find, you can buy everything you need on Amazon. Once you make the initial purchase, you'll have what you need to make many batches! And believe me, you'll want to make this soup over and over again.

    🛒 What you need to make Tom Kha Gai

    Tom Kha Gai ingredients, labeled

    🔖 Recipe Ingredients Notes

    • Galangal Root — Galangal is a root used in Asian cooking. It is an essential ingredient in making Tom Kha Gai. Although some suggest that ginger can be substituted for Galangal root, they really don't taste the same. Galangal has an earthy, piney flavor and scent. To me, it actually tastes more like spruce tips, which I use to make Spruce Tips Pesto. If you don't have Asian markets near you, you can purchase fresh or dehydrated galangal root on Amazon.
    • Kaffir Lime Leaves — Another key ingredient in Thai cuisine is Kaffir Lime Leaves. Similar to the Galangal root, Kaffir Lime Leaves can be hard to find. Luckily, you can find fresh and dehydrated Kaffir Lime Leaves on Amazon. I've also used tender lime leaves off my lime tree and they work just as well!
    • Lemongrass — Lemongrass is commonly used in Asian cooking. If you can't find it locally, it can be purchased online. The stalks can also be rooted and even planted. Especially if you live in a warm climate. Otherwise, it can be kept indoors.
    • Fish Sauce — Fish sauce adds a savory umami flavor. Sometimes soy sauce is substituted.
    • Mushrooms — Nena and I used fresh Shitake mushrooms, but you can substitute your favorite mushrooms. Dehydrated mushrooms may also be used, including the water they rehydrate in, which is loaded with flavor!
    • Sugar — Palm sugar is usually used to sweeten Tom Kha, but since we couldn't find it, we used brown sugar. Coconut sugar can also be used.
    • Curry Paste — Curry paste comes in three options, red, yellow, and green. For this recipe, you'll need red curry paste.
    You can also purchase all these ingredients at once, here.

    🍲How to Make Tom Kha Gai

    STEP 1: Heat coconut oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven, then saute sliced mushrooms, scallions, and garlic.

    coconut oil melting in a pot
    mushrooms and scallions in a pot

    STEP 2: Meanwhile, chop the lemongrass and Galangal root, and crush or chop the Kaffir lime leaves.

    sliced galangal root, lemon grass, and lime leaves

    STEP 3: Remove mushrooms, scallions, and garlic from the pot and set aside. Add lemongrass, Galangal, and lime leaves. Saute until fragrant (1 to 2 minutes). Add curry paste and cook one more minute.

    lemon grass, lime leaves and galangal root in a pot
    lemon grass, lime leaves and galangal root with curry paste in a pot
    lemon grass, lime leaves and galangal root with curry paste in a pot

    STEP 4: Add 4 cups of water and the chicken. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

    Tom Kha soup being prepared
    Tom Kha soup being prepared
    Tom Kha soup being prepared

    STEP 5: Remove chicken from the pot, strain the broth. Discard lemongrass, Galangal, and lime leaves. Pour broth back into the pot, along with the mushrooms, scallions, and garlic.

    chopped herbs and spices being strained from broth
    broth being added to a pot for soup

    STEP 6: Add lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, salt, and coconut milk. Shred the chicken and add to the pot. Discard the skin and bones. Simmer for 15 more minutes.

    lime being added to soup
    coconut milk being poured into soup
    shredded chicken
    Tom Kha soup being stirred

    🍋What to serve with Tom Kha Gai

    Tom Kha Gai is usually served with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced Thai peppers. You can garnish the soup with a few Kaffir lime leaves if desired.

    Tom Kha Gai in a breen bowl

    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    What is the difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha?

    Tom Yum is a broth-based soup, while Tom Kha also includes coconut milk, so it's creamier.

    Is Tom Kha soup vegan?

    A few of the usual Tom Kha ingredients can be substituted so make the recipe vegan-friendly. You can substitute tofu for shrimp or chicken. The fish sauce can be replaced with vegan fish sauce.

    Can you freeze Tom Kha soup?

    It is not recommended that cream-based soups be frozen since they tend to separate once frozen. However, the similar broth-based soup known at Tom Yum can be frozen.

    How many calories does Tom Kha soup have?

    Tom Kha Gai is approximately 300 calories per serving, making it a delicious and filling low-calorie lunch or dinner option. 

    👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

    • Galangal root can be very tough and hard to slice, especially if it's old. The younger the root, the more tender it will be. If you can't slice it, try grating or pounding it. 
    • You can make a vegetarian Tom Kha by adding tofu instead of chicken.
    • Sometimes Tom Kha is served with chili oil. The strong sesame flavor of some chili oils overwhelms the other more subtle flavors, so I've decided to leave it out. If you do decide to try it, use it sparingly.
    • Tom Kha is only slightly spicy from the Galangal root. To add more heat, I recommend serving it with sliced chili peppers on the side.
    • To make the soup even more filling, serve Tom Kha Gai over cooked-ramen noodles.
    Tom Kha Gai over ramen noodles
    If you want to break all the rules, enjoy this Tom Kha Gai recipe over ramen noodles, maybe it's not traditional, but dang it's good!

    🍵 Related Recipes

    • Roasted Pumpkin Soup Recipe (Vegan Recipe)
    • Booshala (Spicy Yogurt and Herb Soup)
    • Creamy Turkey Soup
    • 8 Traditional Asian Vegan Noodles

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Tom Kha Gai soup in a green bowl

    Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    This tasty Thai Coconut Chicken Soup is known as Tom Kha Gai. It is fragrant, full of flavor, and oh so satisfying!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Cuisine: Asian, thai
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 304kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 6 large Shitake mushrooms
    • 3 scallions
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 stalk lemongrass (chopped or pounded)
    • 2" Galangal root
    • 6 Kaffir lime leaves
    • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
    • 4 cups water
    • 2 lbs chicken w/ bones
    • 1 can coconut milk
    • 1 medium lime (juiced)
    • 2 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon cilantro
    • 1 medium serrano pepper (sliced, optional)

    Instructions

    • Heat coconut oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven. Saute sliced mushrooms, scallions, and garlic.
    • Meanwhile, chop the lemongrass and Galangal root, and crush or chop the Kaffir lime leaves.
    • Remove mushrooms, scallions, and garlic from the pot and set aside. Add lemongrass, Galangal, and lime leaves. Saute until fragrant (1 to 2 minutes). Add curry paste and cook one more minute.
    • Add 4 cups of water and the chicken. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
    • Remove chicken from the pot, strain the broth. Discard lemongrass, Galangal, and lime leaves. Pour broth back into the pot, along with the mushrooms, scallions, and garlic. Shred the chicken and add to the pot. Discard the skin and bones.
    • Add coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and salt. Simmer for 15 more minutes. Serve with chopped cilantro and sliced pepper (if desired).

    Notes

    • Galangal root can be very tough and hard to slice, especially if it's old. The younger the root, the more tender it will be. If you can't slice it, try grating or pounding it. 
    • You can make a vegetarian Tom Kha by adding tofu instead of chicken.
    • Sometimes Tom Kha is served with chili oil. The strong sesame flavor of some chili oils overwhelms the other more subtle flavors, so I've decided to leave it out. If you do decide to try it, use it sparingly.
    • Tom Kha is only slightly spicy from the Galangal root. To add more heat, I recommend serving it with sliced chili peppers on the side.
    • To make the soup even more filling, serve Tom Kha Gai over cooked-ramen noodles.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6servings | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1061mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
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