Authentic Tom Kha Gai (Print Version)

Creamy Thai coconut soup with tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and balanced flavors. Perfect comfort food.

# Ingredient List:

→ Aromatics & Broth

01 - 3 cups chicken broth
02 - 1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
03 - 4 slices fresh galangal
04 - 4 makrut lime leaves, torn into pieces
05 - 3 Thai birds eye chilies, lightly crushed

→ Main Ingredients

06 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
07 - 14 fluid ounces full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
08 - 5 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
09 - 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

→ Seasonings & Finishing

10 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more to taste
12 - 1 teaspoon palm sugar
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - Lime wedges for serving

# How to Make:

01 - In a medium pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle simmer. Add lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime leaves, and chilies. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to infuse the broth with aromatics.
02 - Add the sliced chicken and shallot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the chicken turns opaque.
03 - Add the mushrooms and pour in the coconut milk. Stir gently and bring back to a simmer. Do not let it boil vigorously.
04 - Season the soup with fish sauce, palm sugar, and lime juice. Adjust seasoning to taste, balancing salty, sour, and sweet components.
05 - Remove from heat. Discard the lemongrass, galangal slices, and lime leaves if desired. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with cilantro and green onions, and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the creamy coconut milk wraps around tangy lime and salty fish sauce creates pure magic in a bowl
  • Once you master the aromatic broth base you will want to put it on everything
  • It comes together faster than delivery but tastes like you spent hours at the stove
02 -
  • Coconut milk can separate or curdle if boiled hard so keep the heat gentle once it goes in
  • The aromatics need time to infuse so do not rush that first simmering step
  • Lime juice loses its brightness over heat so add it right at the end
03 -
  • Make the aromatic base in advance and let it steep even longer for deeper flavor
  • Use the back of your knife to smash lemongrass instead of a cutting board to keep the pieces intact
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