Tom Kha Gai
- 35 min
- Serves 4
- 17 ingredients
15 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. Tom Kha Gai is a fragrant Thai coconut soup featuring chicken, lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves. The creamy broth is balanced by tangy lime juice, salty fish sauce, and a hint of chili heat, finished with fresh herbs and optional garnishes.
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Method
In a pot over medium heat, bring the chicken broth to a simmer and bruise the lemongrass with the back of a knife to release its oils.
Add the bruised lemongrass, sliced galangal, thinly sliced shallot, cubed chicken thighs, and makrut lime leaves to the pot.
Simmer for about 15 minutes, skimming any scum that rises, until the chicken is cooked through.
Stir in the mushrooms, Thai chilies, coconut milk, palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice; cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning; it should be creamy, tangy, salty, and gently sweet.
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with thinly sliced scallions, cilantro leaves, culantro, fried chilies, and a drizzle of chili oil.
Tips while you cook
- Bruise lemongrass early
- Bruise the lemongrass before adding it to release its oils.
- Skim scum while simmering
- Skim any scum that rises during the 15‑minute simmer.
- Add coconut milk later
- Stir in coconut milk after the chicken is cooked and simmer only 5 minutes.
- Taste before serving
- Adjust seasoning after the final simmer before ladling into bowls.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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The recipe comes from Patrick Kong’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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Tom kha gai, 4 ways
Four creators posted their own. Every one is built on coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, fish sauce and lime.
- mob.co.uk50 min24 ingr.Only this one uses ground chicken, turmeric and thai red curry paste
- Ryan Miller45 min13 ingr.Only this one uses lime leaves, oyster mushrooms and white rice
- egeefay40 min13 ingr.Only this one uses white mushrooms, cabbage and chili paste
- Patrick Kong35 min17 ingr.Only this one uses shallot, makrut lime leaves and mushrooms
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