How to Make the Perfect Spicy Thai Coconut Soup
Thai · Easy · 40 min · 4 servings
A fragrant and warming Thai inspired soup made with creamy coconut milk, lemongrass, and tender chicken. This bold and aromatic soup balances spice, sweetness, and tang perfectly.
Why this recipe works
This Spicy Thai Coconut Soup recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 390 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast thinly sliced
- 2 cans full fat coconut milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 stalks lemongrass bruised and cut into pieces
- 1 inch fresh galangal or ginger sliced
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp red curry paste
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 3 whole Thai bird chiles lightly crushed
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Infuse the Broth
Combine the coconut milk and chicken broth in a large pot over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, galangal, and Thai chiles. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes to infuse the aromatics.
Step 2: Add Curry Paste
Stir in the red curry paste and fish sauce, mixing well into the broth. Taste the base and adjust the level of spice by adding more curry paste if desired.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken and Mushrooms
Add the sliced chicken and mushrooms to the simmering broth. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink.
Step 4: Finish with Lime
Remove the lemongrass and galangal pieces from the soup. Stir in the fresh lime juice and taste for balance, adjusting with more fish sauce for saltiness or lime juice for tang.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and a wedge of lime. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- chicken breast → shrimp or firm tofu for different protein options
- fish sauce → soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian version
- galangal → fresh ginger which is more widely available and similar in flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Boiling the soup vigorously after adding coconut milk which causes it to separate and look greasy
- Leaving the lemongrass in the finished soup as it is too fibrous and woody to eat
- Adding lime juice too early in the cooking process which turns the flavor bitter
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 390 calories, 28g protein, 14g carbs, 26g fat, 2g fiber.
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