Learn how to make the best Tom Kha Gai Soup, a creamy, rich, and flavorful Thai Coconut Chicken Soup that combines savory chicken, aromatic herbs, and velvety coconut milk for the ultimate comfort dish. This easy weeknight recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for quick dinners without sacrificing authentic taste. Whether you’re craving something warm, comforting, and exotic, this soup delivers a balanced blend of tangy, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors in every spoonful.
Loaded with tender chicken breast, mushrooms, and fresh ginger, this quick and easy Thai soup is perfect for cold days or whenever you need a bowl of comforting warmth.
Once you try this Tom Kha Gai Soup, you’ll see why it’s a true crowd-pleaser—your entire family will fall in love with its creamy texture and layers of flavor. In fact, it’s so good, it might just outshine your favorite restaurant version.
One of the best parts about making this at home is the amazing aroma that fills your kitchen. Imagine a bowl of creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet soup served piping hot, ready to impress your family and friends.
What Is Tom Kha Gai Soup?
Tom Kha Gai Soup, often simply called tom kha gai, is one of the most beloved dishes in Thai cuisine. This fragrant, flavorful soup is traditionally made with coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger (or galangal), lime, tender chicken, and mushrooms, along with a variety of other signature Thai ingredients such as fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves, and bird’s eye chili peppers.
The rich, creamy texture comes from coconut milk, which balances beautifully with the fresh citrusy brightness of lemongrass and lime. Fish sauce adds depth and a savory umami kick, while a touch of natural sweetness (often from palm or brown sugar) rounds out the flavor. The chilies bring a gentle to bold heat, depending on preference, making each spoonful comforting yet vibrant.
What makes Tom Kha Gai so special is its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements—a hallmark of authentic Thai cooking. Served hot, it’s a deeply satisfying dish that works beautifully as a main course or as part of a larger Thai-inspired meal.
It’s no surprise that Tom Kha Gai is a favorite among Thai food lovers worldwide. Once you try it, you’ll understand exactly why it’s considered a true classic.
Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe
- Even Better the Next Day – The flavors deepen and meld beautifully, making leftovers taste even more delicious.
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Meal Prep Friendly – Stores and reheats well, making it ideal for weekly meal planning.
- Creamy & Silky Texture – Thanks to the rich coconut milk, every spoonful is luxuriously smooth.
- Flavor Explosion – A harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes that tastes restaurant-quality.
- Naturally Low-Carb & Gluten-Free – Perfect for keto, paleo, and low-carb lifestyles without sacrificing flavor.
- Customizable Heat Level – Adjust the spice to your taste, from mild and comforting to bold and fiery.
- A One-Pot Wonder – Minimal cleanup while still delivering a deeply flavorful meal.
Ingredients for This Tom Kha Gai Soup
For this flavorful and creamy Thai coconut chicken soup, you’ll need a handful of simple, low-carb pantry and fresh ingredients.
- Coconut Oil – Adds richness and a subtle coconut aroma. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil.
- Onion – A yellow onion, sliced julienne for a sweet, aromatic base.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor depth.
- Chicken Breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breast sliced thin for quick, tender cooking.
- Mushrooms – White mushrooms are classic, but shiitake or baby bella work well for extra depth.
- Jalapeño Pepper – Red or green jalapeños for a gentle heat (adjust to taste).
- Ginger – Freshly grated ginger brings a sweet, spicy brightness.
- Curry Paste – Thai red curry paste adds warmth, color, and authentic flavor.
- Chicken Broth – Low-sodium preferred; vegetable broth works for a lighter version.
- Coconut Cream – Creates a luxuriously creamy texture and balances the spice.
- Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors and add tang.
- Green Onions – Freshly chopped for garnish and crunch.
- Salt & Pepper – To taste, adjusting at the end.
How To Make This Delicious Tom Kha Gai Soup
This soup is one of my favorites since it’s easy to make and doesn’t require any cooking skills. Here is everything you need to do:
- Heat the coconut oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño, ginger, and curry paste and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce to heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove the garlic, onion, and ginger from the soup mixture, then add the chicken breast, mushrooms, and coconut cream.
- Cover with a lid and simmer until the chicken breast is cooked through, then add the lime juice and season according to your taste.
- Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and enjoy with freshly chopped parsley and green onion.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store this soup in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze this soup in a sealed container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Transfer the frozen soup from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. If you’re in a rush, you can thaw the soup in the microwave using the defrost setting. Once the soup is fully thawed, pour it into a pot and heat it on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Soup In A Vegan Version?
If you are following a vegan diet, you can still enjoy this delicious soup by replacing the chicken broth with vegetables and the chicken breast with another protein source such as tofu, tempeh, or more mushrooms.
Tom Yum Vs. Tom Kha
The main difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha is that Tom Kha contains more canned coconut milk, making it creamier and richer. In addition, Tom Yum Soup is often cooked with a spicy paste and is sour and spicy. In comparison, Tom Kha is rich and creamy with sweeter notes.
Can I Make Tom Kha Gai Soup in Advance?
Once the soup is cooked, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you’re ready to serve the soup, heat it up gently on the stovetop, and then add the chicken or tofu to cook until it’s fully heated through.
More Keto Soup Recipes
Tom Kha Gai Soup
Description
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ of one red jalapeno pepper sliced
- 3 ¼- inch slices of ginger
- 2 tsp curry paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups canned coconut cream
- 2 chicken breasts medium, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces white mushroom sliced
- 3 tbsp lime juice fresh
- 3 green onions sliced thin
- salt&peper to taste
Instructions
- Add the coconut oil to a medium pot over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onion, garlic, jalapeno, ginger, and curry paste.
- Cook, frequently stirring, for about 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add the chicken broth and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Remove the garlic, onions, and ginger from the liquid.
- Add coconut cream, chicken breast bites, and sliced mushrooms.
- Cover with a lid and simmer until chicken breast pieces are cooked through.
- Then add the lime juice, and adjust to salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2 more minutes, and enjoy garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
2 comments
Want to try of your recipes
I like this better than most soups and am really excited about the flavor. I would love to know more about the Tom Yum, because I’m sure I would like it much more without so much coconut cream. Thanks for a great lunch!!!