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Easy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai)

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy chicken coconut soup, garnished with fresh cilantro and red chili flakes.
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You can make this comforting and aromatic Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, Tom Kha Gai, easily at home. This recipe delivers the creamy texture and bright flavors you expect from authentic Thai soup using simple steps for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and bruised
  • 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced thinly
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (cremini or white button)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1–2 Thai chilies, sliced (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces, coconut milk, chicken broth, lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce, brown sugar, and salt into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not allow it to boil rapidly.
  3. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the broth to absorb the aromatics.
  4. Remove and discard the lemongrass stalk.
  5. Add the sliced mushrooms to the soup and cook for another 5 minutes until they soften.
  6. Stir in the fresh lime juice. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or salt if needed.
  7. Ladle the coconut soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro and sliced Thai chilies, if you are using them.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can use chicken stock instead of chicken broth.
  • If you want to make this a Vegan Coconut Soup, substitute the chicken with firm tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • This soup freezes well for later use, though the texture of the chicken may change slightly upon reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/easy-thai-coconut-soup-tom-kha-gai/