Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken and Galangal Coconut Soup)
Local name: ต้มข่าไก่
In short: Chicken simmered in coconut milk with galangal, lemongrass and lime leaf, then brightened with lime juice and a little chili. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Tom kha gai is the gentler cousin of tom yum. Galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf flavor a coconut broth in which chicken and mushrooms cook, and lime juice and fish sauce bring it into balance. It is eaten with rice as one dish among several. Keep the heat to a bare simmer, because a hard boil can split the coconut milk and toughen the chicken.
Instructions
- Combine half the coconut milk with the stock in a pot. Add the galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 8 minutes so the herbs flavor the liquid. Do not let it boil hard.
- Add the chicken and mushrooms and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (74°C/165°F) and the mushrooms are tender.
- Stir in the rest of the coconut milk, the chilies, fish sauce and palm sugar and heat through for 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice. Taste it: it should be creamy, salty, lightly sweet and sour, with a warm hit of chili.
- Serve in bowls with the coriander on top and steamed rice alongside. Eat around the galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves, which are for aroma.
Tips
- Fresh galangal has a piney, citrusy flavor that ginger cannot match. Use frozen galangal if fresh is hard to find, rather than dried powder.
- For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu and extra mushrooms with vegetable stock and soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
Questions and answers
Can I make tom kha gai ahead of time?
The broth keeps for 2 days in the fridge. Reheat gently without boiling, and add the lime juice only after reheating so it stays fresh.
Can I freeze tom kha gai?
Coconut broth can separate after freezing, so it is best fresh. If you must freeze it, stir well while reheating and add fresh lime juice and herbs.
What is the difference between tom kha gai and tom yum?
Tom kha gai is creamy, mild and led by galangal and coconut. Tom yum is clear and much hotter and sourer.
How long does it take to make Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken and Galangal Coconut Soup)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken and Galangal Coconut Soup)?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
