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Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken And Galangal Soup)

Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken And Galangal Soup)

Cuisine:Thai

Course:Soup

15m prep 20m cook 35m ready

About 6 cups; 4 servings Kha is the Thai word for galangal, a root that somewhat resembles ginger but has a distinctly different flavor.

Ingredients

Servings:
  • 1
    • 4 to 5 ½ pounds poultry parts, preferably backs, necks, wings, and feet
    • 1 unpeeled onion, coarsely chopped
    • 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
    • 1 celery rib, coarsely chopped
    • 3 or 4 sprigs parsley
    • 2 or 3 sprigs thyme
    • 1 bay leaf
    • (1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves)
    • ¼ teaspoon white or black peppercorns
    • (2 whole cloves)
    • Cold water to cover
    Sub-recipe steps
    1. Combine in a stockpot: 4 to 5 ½ pounds poultry parts, preferably backs, necks, wings, and feet; 1 unpeeled onion, coarsely chopped; 1 carrot, coarsely chopped; 1 celery rib, coarsely chopped; 3 or 4 sprigs parsley; 2 or 3 sprigs thyme; 1 bay leaf; (1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves); ¼ teaspoon white or black peppercorns; (2 whole cloves)
    2. Add: Cold water to cover
    3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 4 hours. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during the first hour of cooking and add water as needed to keep the ingredients covered. Strain and cool uncovered, then refrigerate covered. Skim off any fat before storing or using. Use within 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
  • One 13 ½-ounce can coconut milk
  • 4 ounces oyster or shiitake mushrooms, sliced (stems removed if using shiitakes)
  • 6 makrut lime leaves, or 2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 2-inch lengths and lightly pounded with the heel of a knife handle until fragrant
  • 4 fresh red Thai chiles, stemmed, or 3 dried red chiles, such as bird’s-eye or árbol, stems and seeds removed
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1-inch piece galangal or ginger, cut into thin slices
  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce, or to taste
  • (1 teaspoon sugar)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.

  • 1 3 cups Poultry Stock, Chicken Broth, or other light stock or broth
  • One 13 ½-ounce can coconut milk
  • 4 ounces oyster or shiitake mushrooms, sliced (stems removed if using shiitakes)
  • 6 makrut lime leaves, or 2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 2-inch lengths and lightly pounded with the heel of a knife handle until fragrant
  • 4 fresh red Thai chiles, stemmed, or 3 dried red chiles, such as bird’s-eye or árbol, stems and seeds removed
  • 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1-inch piece galangal or ginger, cut into thin slices
  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce, or to taste
  • (1 teaspoon sugar)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Combine in a soup pot: 3 cups Poultry Stock, Chicken Broth, or other light stock or broth; One 13 ½-ounce can coconut milk; 4 ounces oyster or shiitake mushrooms, sliced (stems removed if using shiitakes); 6 makrut lime leaves, or 2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 2-inch lengths and lightly pounded with the heel of a knife handle until fragrant; 4 fresh red Thai chiles, stemmed, or 3 dried red chiles, such as bird’s-eye or árbol, stems and seeds removed; 1 small shallot, thinly sliced; 1-inch piece galangal or ginger, cut into thin slices

  2. Step 2.

    Bring to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in: 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat, cut into ½-inch cubes; ¼ cup lime juice; 2 tablespoons fish sauce, or to taste; (1 teaspoon sugar)

  3. Step 3.

    Bring back to a simmer and cook, covered, until the chicken is done, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the lime leaves, dried chiles, and galangal slices, if desired. Taste and add more salt or fish sauce if needed. Serve garnished with: Chopped cilantro; Lime wedges

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