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Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with lemongrass, ginger, onion, garlic and corn. This creamy coconut milk soup is loaded with flavor, easy to make, and is so nourishing!
Thai Chicken Coconut Soup with Lemongrass

Until this point, I had relied on Thai restaurants for the soup, thinking there was no way I’d be able to fashion up something half as delicious.

It is one of those dishes I sidled around like a kid with gum on her shoe. I gave it the one eyebrow up, turned the other direction, and let it be. Now that I’ve done made the thing, I’ll be doing so time and again.

What is Lemongrass?:

Lemongrass is a grass that looks like a stalk, and originates from Asian countries, Africa, and Australia. When cooked, lemongrass gives a sort of lime flavor. It is zesty with very unique flavor! Lemongrass is commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly creamy coconut milk soup recipes. 

This Thai Coconut Chicken Soup Recipe is loaded with flavor due to the combination of lemongrass, onion, garlic, and ginger. It is so nice and creamy and filling, yet healthful!

At first glance, lemongrass seems strange…like a house with no door.  How do you get into it? Do you break a window and hope there’s no security system or rabid dog inside?

Once you peel the outer layers off, take a nice smash at it, and cut it into pieces, lemongrass becomes more familiar, and less like a menacing extraterrestrial. And it makes Thai dishes delicious.

Thai Chicken Coconut Soup with Lemongrass

This is a great recipe to change up the normal cold-day chicken noodle soup repertoire. It’s all Thai’d up and full of flavor. 

Here’s how we make it!

How to Make Thai Coconut Chicken Soup:

Chop the ends off of the lemongrass, and peel the outer layers. Smash the stalks and using only the bottom 1/3 of the stalk, cut strips.

Add oil to a large saucepan or stock pot and add the lemongrass, onion, garlic, ginger, corn, and peppers. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken and cook just until browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the fish sauce, curry powder, chicken stock, lime juice, and coconut milk. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 25 to 40 minutes. Serve in heaping bowls and enjoy!

More Thai Soup Recipes:

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Thai Chicken Coconut Soup with Lemongrass

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with lemongrass is loaded with authentic Thai flavor
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil, or olive oil
  • 3 stalks lemongrass*
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 ears corn, kernels removed
  • 2 red mini sweet peppers, chopped, or ½ a red bell pepper
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
  • 1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk

Instructions

  • Chop the ends off of the lemongrass, and peel the outer layers. Smash the stalks and using only the bottom 1/3 of the stalk, cut strips.
  • Add oil to a large saucepan or stock pot and add the lemongrass, onion, garlic, ginger, corn, and peppers. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the chicken and cook just until browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add the fish sauce, curry powder, chicken stock, lime juice, and coconut milk. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 25 to 40 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, remove the harder pieces of lemongrass.
  • Serve with chopped cilantro

Notes

*You can replace the fresh lemongrass with lemongrass paste to taste

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 4 - Calories: 323kcal - Carbohydrates: 12g - Protein: 28g - Fat: 18g - Fiber: 1g - Sugar: 3g
Course: Lifestyle
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: bean soup, coconut milk, ginger beer, lemongrass, Thai
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Julia

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with lemongrass, ginger, and garlic - an easy healthy soup recipe loaded with authentic Thai flavors

Recipe Rating




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Shannon Cikowski

Tuesday 22nd of October 2019

Ah this looks great, I love Tom Kha Gai!! Usually in Thailand they put tomatoes and mushrooms in it too. I've also ordered spicy versions of this soup before which was really good

Julia

Wednesday 23rd of October 2019

Yaaaas so happy you're a fellow Tom Kha Gai lover! xoxo Cheers!

cassie

Tuesday 22nd of October 2013

This is totally my kind of soup. Love these flavors!

Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough

Tuesday 22nd of October 2013

Ack, no BBQ while you were in North Carolina?! You need to go back. And take me with you. We should take a big container of this yumtastic soup to go with us, too.

DessertForTwo

Monday 21st of October 2013

I'm slightly upset you went to the South and didn't have our food. But, you're cute and I like you, so all is forgiven. Dinner at my house will fix this :)

Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking

Monday 21st of October 2013

Oh Julia, this soup! I've been Thai crazy lately and this is definitely calling my name. What a comforting, big bowl of love! Looks deeeelish.

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