Tom Yum Gai Thai Soup (Print Version)

Vibrant Thai-style soup with chicken, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs in a spicy-sour broth infused with lemongrass and lime.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced

→ Broth

02 - 5 cups chicken stock
03 - 2 stalks lemongrass, tough outer leaves removed, cut into 2-inch pieces and smashed
04 - 5 kaffir lime leaves, torn
05 - 3 slices galangal or fresh ginger
06 - 2 Thai birds eye chiles, smashed

→ Vegetables

07 - 5 oz oyster or button mushrooms, sliced
08 - 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
09 - 1 small onion, sliced

→ Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons nam prik pao Thai roasted chili paste
11 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon sugar
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus extra for serving

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1 to 2 Thai chiles, sliced

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a gentle boil. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and smashed chiles. Simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
02 - Add the chicken slices and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until just cooked through. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
03 - Stir in the mushrooms, tomatoes, and onion. Simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.
04 - Add nam prik pao, fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Stir well and simmer for 2 more minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust sourness or salt as desired.
06 - Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro and extra chiles if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Aromatic Experience: The infusion of fresh kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal creates an incredible fragrance that defines Thai cuisine.
  • Healthy and Light: At only 200 calories per serving, this soup is both protein-rich and low in fat.
  • Fast and Flavorful: With a total time of 35 minutes, it is an ideal recipe for a weeknight dinner that doesn't compromise on complexity.
02 -
  • Off-Heat Lime Juice: Always remove the pot from the heat before adding lime juice to prevent the broth from turning bitter.
  • Mushroom Choice: While button mushrooms work well, oyster mushrooms offer a more authentic texture that absorbs the broth beautifully.
  • Galangal Substitution: If you cannot find fresh galangal, fresh ginger is a suitable substitute, though galangal provides a more citrusy, pine-like flavor.
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