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    Home » Recipes » Soup » Tom Kha Gai

    Tom Kha Gai Soup Recipe (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    Published: April 4, 2023 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: April 27, 2023 Leave a Comment

    21 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Tom Kha Gai is a flavorful, healthy, and satisfying Thai coconut soup. It features a blend of spices and ingredients such as chicken, mushrooms, coconut milk, chicken broth, Thai red curry paste, galangal, and lemongrass. This hearty soup is a popular comfort food that pairs well with rice, crusty bread, and other Thai-inspired dishes. It can be enjoyed as a filling meal for both lunch and dinner.

    In this recipe, I have provided step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow, allowing you to make Tom Kha Gai at home. Additionally, I have included a detailed video tutorial below to provide a visual guide for the cooking process.

    Thai Tom Kha Gai Soup in a white bowl with few ingredients scattered around.
    Jump to:
    • What is Tom Kha Gai?
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make Tom Kha Gai Soup at Home?
    • Tips
    • Storage Suggestions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Related Recipes
    • Tom Kha Gai Soup Recipe Video
    • 📖 Recipe
    • FAQ

    What is Tom Kha Gai?

    Tom Kha Gai Soup is a rich, creamy, and aromatic Thai soup that has become a beloved comfort food around the world. Traditionally made with chicken, coconut milk, mushrooms, galangal, lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, Thai red chilies, and other aromatics. This Tom Kha soup is often garnished with fresh cilantro and served with steamed rice or crusty bread, making it a complete meal that is both filling and satisfying.

    In Thai cuisine, the names of dishes often describe the main ingredients or cooking methods. This popular soup Tom Kha Gai is no exception. The term "Tom" refers to boiling, "Kha" refers to galangal, and "Gai" means chicken.

    One of the great things about Tom Kha Gai Soup is its simplicity and versatility. It is easy to make at home, and you can adjust the ingredients and spice level to suit your taste preferences. This makes it a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Additionally, it is a healthy and nutritious dinner option, especially for those watching their calorie intake. The key ingredient in the soup, coconut milk, is rich in healthy fats that can help you feel fuller for longer.

    Overall, Tom Kha Gai Soup is a must-try dish for anyone who loves Asian cuisine or is looking for some comforting and flavorful chicken soup recipes. It's perfect for lunch or dinner and is sure to satisfy your cravings for bold and exotic flavors. So why not give it a try and experience the classic flavors of Thai Coconut Chicken Soup?

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    To make this delicious Tom Kha Gai Soup, you will need a variety of Asian aromatics, seasonings, and fresh produce, all of which can be easily found in most Asian grocery stores.

    Main Ingredients

    Below are some main ingredients to make this Tom Kha Soup.

    Tom Kha Gai Soup recipe Ingredients arranged on a grey table.
    • Chicken - Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well in this recipe. When it comes to chicken broth, I recommend using low-sodium chicken broth or homemade chicken broth for the best flavor
    • Mushrooms - I've used brown baby Bella mushrooms in this recipe, but you can use any edible variety of mushrooms you prefer
    • Coconut Milk - It is a key ingredient that delivers rich, creamy, and delicious flavor to your chicken soup.
    • Thai Red Curry Paste - Although not traditionally included in the recipe, I've added Thai red curry paste for extra flavor

    Aromatics and Seasonings

    Below are the aromatics and seasonings to make Tom Kha Gai Soup.

    Tom Kha Gai Soup recipe Ingredients arranged on a grey table.
    • Aromatics - Galangal, lemongrass, garlic, and shallots are essential components of this soup and deliver authentic flavors. Fresh galangal looks similar to ginger but has a more citrusy flavor with a hint of pine. If you can't find fresh galangal, you can try using dried galangal, but ginger wouldn't be an exact substitute. If you choose to use ginger, the soup will still taste great, but it will miss out on the unique taste of galangal
    • Lime Juice - Lime juice adds a citrusy and slightly tart flavor to the soup. If lime juice isn't available, you can substitute it with lemon juice
    • Fish sauce - It has a distinct funky fishy smell but delivers the umami flavors that give this soup a bold and unique taste. If you can't find fish sauce, you can try substituting it with Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
    • Brown sugar - It balances out the overall flavors of the soup
    • Thai red chilies - They deliver the perfect level of heat. Begin with a small quantity of Thai red chili if you prefer less heat
    • Herbs - Finally, adding spring onions and coriander leaves delivers a herbaceous flavor profile to your soup. Authentic recipes also call for kaffir lime leaves, but unfortunately, they were not available for this recipe. However, if they are available to you, feel free to add 2 to 3 leaves for additional flavor

    For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.

    How to Make Tom Kha Gai Soup at Home?

    The recipe I have shared here is Tom Kha Gai Soup, a delicious and aromatic Thai dish. It is made with chicken, mushrooms, coconut milk, lemongrass, and other flavorful herbs and spices. This hearty soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly day or satisfying your cravings for a comforting, flavorful meal.

    Thai Tom Kha Gai Soup in a white bowl with few ingredients scattered around.

    Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.

    • Saute the aromatics - To make Tom Kha Gai, heat a wide-bottomed pan over medium heat and pour in some oil. Add shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, and Thai red chilies to the pan and sauté until the aromatics become fragrant
    • Saute the curry paste - Next, add Thai red curry paste to the pan and sauté until it becomes aromatic
    • Add chicken - Then, add chicken to the pan and season with salt. Sauté the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes. Then add the sliced mushrooms and give it a good saute for about 3 mins
    • Pour chicken broth - Now, pour in chicken broth and mix well
    • Season the soup - Add brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime or lemon juice to the broth and mix again. Finally, add coconut milk and mix gently
    • Simmer - Let the soup simmer for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
    • Garnish and remove - After 10 minutes, remove the pan from heat and garnish the soup with coriander leaves and spring onions

    Tips

    • For best flavor - To enhance the dish's flavor profile, I started by sautéing the aromatics, Thai red curry paste, chicken, and mushrooms. However, in some variations of this recipe, the sautéing step may be skipped, and the ingredients are directly simmered in water or coconut milk
    • Chicken broth - When it comes to chicken broth, I used store-bought, but you can also make your broth and use it in this recipe
    • Aromatics - Aromatics are essential to Thai soup, and I highly recommend including lemongrass and galangal to achieve an authentic flavor. While galangal can be challenging in regular grocery stores, it's readily available at most Asian grocery stores
    • For the rich soup - For a rich, creamy, and flavorful Tom Kha Soup, it's crucial to use thick unsweetened coconut milk
    • Fish sauce - Even though fish sauce has a distinct funky fishy smell, you won't detect any unpleasant odor when added to this soup. Instead, it delivers the umami flavors that give this dish a bold and unique taste
    • Heat level - When it comes to heat levels, I've incorporated four Thai red chilies into this soup, resulting in a moderately high heat level. However, if you prefer less heat, feel free to reduce the number of chilies used

    Storage Suggestions

    This Tom Kha Gai soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, and it reheats well on the stovetop or in the microwave for easy enjoyment.

    Serving Suggestions

    Thai Coconut soup with chicken, also known as Tom Kha Gai, is a flavorful and comforting soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Here are some suggestions for what to serve with Tom Kha Gai:

    • Rice Dishes: Serve the Tom Kha Soup with steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice. The rice can be mixed with the soup to create a heartier meal
    • Noodles: Thai noodles, such as Pad Thai or Drunken Noodles, are a great accompaniment to Tom Kha Gai. They are filling and complement the flavors of the soup
    • Spring Rolls: Fresh or fried spring rolls are a great appetizer or side dish to serve with Tom Kha Soup. They are light, and crispy, and can be dipped into the soup for extra flavor
    • Sauteed Dishes: Sauteed vegetables such as asparagus, and mushrooms can be a great side dish to balance out the richness of the soup
    • Thai Iced Tea: To complete the Thai experience, serve Tom Kha Soup with a glass of Thai Iced Tea. The sweet and creamy tea is a perfect complement to the spicy and savory flavors of the soup

    Related Recipes

    You could also find similar recipes below and more at soup recipes and comfort food recipes.

    • Chicken Ramen
    • Chicken and Rice Soup
    • Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Chicken Gnocchi Soup
    • Hot and Sour Soup
    • Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • White Chicken Chili

    More Thai recipes.

    • Thai Red Curry
    • Thai Yellow Curry
    • Thai Green Curry
    • Thai Panang Curry
    • Pad Thai

    Tom Kha Gai Soup Recipe Video

    I have also shared a detailed video of this Tom Kha Gai Recipe below that I hope will help you make a comforting Thai coconut chicken soup at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.

    📖 Recipe

    Thai Tom Kha Gai Soup in a white bowl with few ingredients scattered around.

    Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    Tom Kha Gai is a flavorful and satisfying Thai coconut soup. It features a blend of spices and ingredients such as chicken, mushrooms, coconut milk, chicken broth, Thai red curry paste, galangal, and lemongrass. This hearty soup is a popular comfort food that pairs well with rice, crusty bread, and other Thai-inspired dishes. It can be enjoyed as a filling meal for both lunch and dinner.
    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Sangeetha Vel
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    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Thai, Asian
    Prep: 15 minutes mins
    Cook: 30 minutes mins
    Adjust 4 servings

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tsp Oil, use coconut oil, if it is handy
    • 2 Shallots, chopped
    • 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped
    • 2 tbsp Galangal, chopped or substitute with ginger
    • 2 tbsp Lemongrass, chopped, remove outer layer and dice the inner portion
    • 4 Thai Red Chili, reduce the quantity for less heat
    • 2 tbsp Thai Red Curry Paste
    • 0.7 lb Chicken Breast, diced
    • 2 cups Mushroom, sliced, use any edible mushroom variety
    • 3 cups Chicken Broth, reduced sodium
    • 13½ fl. oz Coconut Milk, thick and unsweetened variety
    • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
    • 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
    • 1½ tbsp Lime Juice, or lemon juice
    • Coriander Leaves, to garnish
    • Spring Onions, to garnish
    • Salt, to taste
    • Lime Slices, for topping
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    Instructions
     

    To make Tom Kha Gai Soup

    • In a wide-bottomed pan over medium heat, pour oil and add shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, and Thai red chilies. Sauté the aromatics until they become fragrant
      Sauteing the aromatics in a wide pan.
    • Next, add the Thai red curry paste and sauté until it becomes aromatic
      Adding the Thai red curry paste into pan with aromatics.
    • Now add the chicken and season it with salt. Sauté the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes
      Chicken breast sauteed along with aromatics in a pan.
    • Add the sliced mushrooms and give it a gentle mix
      Adding mushroom to the chicken mixture.
    • Now add the chicken broth and mix well. I recommend using reduced-sodium broth to avoid high-sodium intake
      Chicken and mushrooms in chicken broth mixture.
    • Add the brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime or lemon juice to the broth and mix well. The fish sauce used here delivers the umami flavor and you will not experience any funky fishy taste in the soup. It adds a unique flavor to your Thai soup
    • Next, add the coconut milk and mix gently
      Chicken, mushroom in a broth coconut milk mixture.
    • Allow the soup mixture to simmer for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
      Tom Kha soup simmering in a pan.
    • After 10 minutes, garnish the Tom Kha Soup with coriander leaves and spring onions, and remove from heat
      Tom Kha Gai garnished with herbs and spring onions.

    To Serve

    • Serve this Tom Kha Gai in a serving bowl topped with coriander leaves and lime slices for a comforting lunch or dinner. You can also serve this Thai soup with other Thai recipes such as Pad Thai, Jasmine rice, Thai red curry, Thai yellow curry, or Thai green curry, and finish it off with Thai Iced Tea for a fulfilling Thai treat
      Serving Tom Kha Gai in a white bowl.

    Video

    Notes

    • For best flavor - To enhance the dish's flavor profile, I started by sautéing the aromatics, Thai red curry paste, chicken, and mushrooms. However, in some variations of this recipe, the sautéing step may be skipped, and the ingredients are directly simmered in water or coconut milk
    • Chicken broth - When it comes to chicken broth, I used store-bought, but you can also make your broth and use it in this recipe
    • Aromatics - Aromatics are essential to Thai soup, and I highly recommend including lemongrass and galangal to achieve an authentic flavor. While galangal can be challenging in regular grocery stores, it's readily available at most Asian grocery stores
    • For the rich soup - For a rich, creamy, and flavorful Tom Kha Soup, it's crucial to use thick unsweetened coconut milk
    • Fish sauce - Even though fish sauce has a distinct funky fishy smell, you won't detect any unpleasant odor when added to this soup. Instead, it delivers the umami flavors that give this dish a bold and unique taste
    • Heat level - When it comes to heat levels, I've incorporated four Thai red chilies into this soup, resulting in a moderately high heat level. However, if you prefer less heat, feel free to reduce the number of chilies used

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1103mg | Potassium: 781mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1254IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @yellowchilis or tag #yellowchilis!

    FAQ

    What is Tom Kha Gai?

    Tom Kha Gai is a popular Thai soup that typically consists of coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and chili peppers. It is a popular dish that exemplifies the depth and complexity of Thai cuisine and is enjoyed by food lovers all around the world.

    What can I substitute for fish sauce?

    If you don't have fish sauce on hand or prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce in most recipes. Both of these sauces have a salty, umami flavor that can mimic the taste of the fish sauce. However, keep in mind that these substitutes may alter the overall taste of the dish, so it's best to use them in small quantities and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

    What is the best substitute for galangal?

    Galangal has a unique flavor profile that is difficult to replicate, but if you don't have access to it, you can substitute it with ginger. While ginger doesn't have the same citrusy and piney taste as galangal, it has a similar spiciness and can provide a comparable flavor in recipes. However, keep in mind that ginger has a stronger taste and aroma, so you should use it in smaller quantities than what the recipe calls for in Galangal. If possible, try to find dried galangal as it has a more similar taste to fresh galangal than ginger.

    I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.

    If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!

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    Hi, I'm Sangeetha Vel! the author, recipe researcher, creator, and cooking hands behind Yellow Chili's. A realistic, friendly, empathetic, and enthusiastic foodie who loves to share authentic, easy, quick, healthy, instant, and kids-approved recipes.

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