Tom Ka Gai {Thai Coconut Soup}
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Tom Ka Gai, or Thai Coconut Soup, is one of my family’s favorite soup recipes! This flavorful soup is a Paleo and Whole30 compliant recipe.
Tom Ka Gai soup is light, yet filling, but also one of the healthiest soup recipes. Just a few simple pantry staples are needed for this exotic sounding, yet fast and easy soup! Right after the New Year, I’m filled with New Year’s resolutions, some I keep, some fall by the wayside. But one thing’s for sure, the whole family is ready to eat simple, clean and easy foods for a couple of weeks. Clear broth-based soups and lots of veggie stir-frys are always welcome. I definitely feel the pinch of my clothes after the indulgent holidays and welcome the change.
Tom Ka Gai soup is one of our family favorites! The simple coconut milk and ginger broth has just a bit of chicken meat and a handful of fresh herbs. The best version I’ve ever eaten is at a restaurant in Palm Desert. I’ve been trying to duplicate it for years. This recipe, from allrecipes, is delicious! You could easily substitute shrimp or tofu for the chicken. The best part is that it’s ready in just under a half and hour!
Update 6/23/2106: I’ve since made some further adaptions to this Tom Ka Gai recipe, making it either Whole30 compliant or Paleo. See recipe for notes.
Tom Ka Gai {Thai Coconut Soup}
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken, I used all breast meat.
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 14 ounce cans coconut milk
- 2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
- 4 Tablespoons Thai fish sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar or coconut sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 or 3 green onions thinly sliced
- Fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cut chicken into thin strips and in a large saucepan, sauté in coconut oil for 2-3 minutes, or until chicken turns white.
- Add coconut milk and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add ginger, fish sauce, lime juice, cayenne, sugar, and turmeric.
- Simmer until the chicken is done, about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning adding more cayenne if necessary.
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
More flavorful Thai recipes:
One of my favorite Thai soups! Looks delicious! ~s
Thank you Sue!
G’day! A very healthy soup indeed!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks for sharing at the Foodie Friends Friday Meals in 30 Minutes Party!
Thank you Joanne!
I love Thaï food and this recipe looks really tasty!
Thanks Del!
This is a beautiful dish! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great! Can’t wait to see what you link up this week!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Thank you Cindy!
Lovely, thank you!
This sounds so good Cynthia. I love the combination of coconut milk and turmeric
There is Thai rest in Desert Hot Springs that has an awesome one too
We go to an awesome one in Palm Desert…The make a soup I could take a bath in! LOL!
Sounds like you figured out the recipe from that Palm Beach restaurant, hooray! Coconut milk is such a treat isn’t it? Creamy dreamy. This soup is going on to my meal plan.
Amanda, I love trying to figure out restaurant recipes, it’s so much cheaper to cook at home!
This looks absolutely delicious – just filled with wonderful flavors! And I absolutely love how quick and easy it is to make! Definitely pinning this to share! 😀
Shelley, I love meals that can come together quickly! Especially important during the week when I work!
What a great dish!
Thanks Annie!
Mmmmm I can taste that ginger – such a gorgeous soup!
Looks delicious! And not to hard to make, either. 🙂
Dear Cynthia, I’ve been eyeing this soup of yours for some time. It sounds like the perfect spring soup, and with only nine ingredients you can buy at the regular grocery store. you had me with that fresh ginger root. Hoping to try it this coming week! Thanks for such a great recipe!
Great starter recipe for anyone wanting to make Thai food at home! Looks so delicious!
This soup sounds amazing, I love Thai flavors!
Me too!
So easy and fast! A new family favorite
I made this recipe for my son and left out the chicken. I added 1/4 tsp of chiu chow child oil to give it more heat so it would clear my sons sinus congestion. He loved the soup! Thanx for this recipe
we love chili oil! I’ll have to try that next time!