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Tom Kha Gai or Thai Chicken Soup

October 13, 2020 by Karen Giebel Leave a Comment

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It is raining and cold here in the mountains of northeast Washington State and that means soup season has begun! We both love homemade soups of all kinds, plus we both love Thai food. But finding all the ingredients is challenging up here. Then in a serendipitous moment, my friend and neighbor Lin asked if I could use some lemon grass that she grew in her greenhouse. Yes, I sure could! Immediately I knew that the famous Thai chicken coconut soup, “Tom Kha Gai” would be on our table. This soup is a delight on your palate with so many flavors dancing around in your mouth. The combination of fresh ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, chili paste, basil and cilantro are smoothed and balanced with sweet, creamy coconut milk. This, my friends is a real treat!

Here’s what we’ll need.

Tom Kha Gai or Thai Chicken Soup

Thai food in general, is a balance of flavors like, sweet, sour, spicy, hot and pungent. This classic soup served in every Thai restaurant is the perfect example of all those flavors. The broth is thin but not watery. It brings both the coconut flavor as well as sweetness that counteracts the bold flavor of lemongrass, ginger, Thai fish sauce and more. The chicken and mushrooms add substance to the broth. Finished with a sprinkling of both chopped basil and cilantro, this is one bowl of mouth watering delight!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz can coconut milk
  • 14 oz can chicken broth
  • 6 slices fresh ginger root each about the size of a quarter
  • 1 stalk lemongrass chopped in 1 inch pieces
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast sliced very thin
  • 1/2 lb mushrooms cleaned and sliced, discard the stems
  • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice fresh, if you have a lime
  • 1 Tbsp Thai fish sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp Thai green chili paste
  • 1/4 cup fresh Basil thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • I prep all my ingredients before I start putting together the recipe. That way, it is a smooth process with few stops and starts. Freezing the chicken for 15-20 minutes is helpful when trying to thinly slice it.
  • In a soup kettle, combine the coconut milk, chicken broth, ginger and lemongrass. Bring this to a boil over high heat.
  • Add in the thinly sliced chicken and stir to separate all the pieces.
  • Stir in the sliced mushrooms and the lime juice and give it a swirl.
  • Lastly, stir in the fish sauce, sugar and green chili paste. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes just until the chicken is white and opaque. Discard the lemongrass and the ginger slices.
  • I'm serving the soup in these bowls we purchased in Japan. Now, Japan is a fair distance from Thailand, but I thought they were pretty. 🙂
  • Ladle into your serving bowls and sprinkle the basil and cilantro over the top. Use as much or as little as you like. That's it! So quick and easy to prepare but it tastes like you have spent ages making it.
  • Thanks for stopping by today friends. I appreciate you spending time on my page. I hope this change from summer to fall finds you all safe, healthy and warm.
  • Until next time, Journey on! Hugs and much love from me, Karen, TJG
  • Please stop by my website and leave me a comment. I love hearing from you all! www.thejourneygirl.com
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Filed Under: Recipes, Soups and Stews, Soups and Stews Tagged With: chicken soup, coconut milk, Coconut soup, lemongrass., Thai Chicken Soup, Tom Kha Gai

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Nice to meet you

Karen Giebel, the Journey GirlHello and "WELCOME" to the Journey Girl! I'm Karen, a happy, optimistic retired RN living out my dreams with my husband Dan up here in the back of the beyond in Ferry County, Washington. High up in the mountains just 20 miles from the border with British Columbia, Canada. I enjoy writing and sharing with my friends all about our lives raising Alpacas, growing our gardens, all the gorgeous birds and wildlife that surround us. Sharing stories of our daily lives as we travel this journey through life. Cooking is my passion and I solve all the world's problem while standing at my stove and I love sharing my recipes with you. I am glad you are all here with me today and every day. Journey on!

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