Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and lime

Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and lime

Welcome to the world of explosive flavors and delicate textures of Thai cuisine! Today, I will take you on a culinary journey with a delicious recipe for Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and lime, a perfect combination of fresh and aromatic ingredients that will delight your taste buds. This soup is not just a comforting meal, but also a visual feast, thanks to the vibrant colors of the ingredients.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

The basic ingredients are essential for achieving an authentic taste, so let’s see what we need:

Ingredients:
- 500 g bone-in chicken (you can use 2 thighs or a chicken breast)
- 100 g cooked mushrooms (champignon or shiitake mushrooms are excellent)
- 1 stalk of leek (keep a few slices for decoration)
- 1-2 limes
- 4 lime leaves (kaffir leaves, if available)
- 2 teaspoons green curry (fresh or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 liter chicken broth (or water, if preferred)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 can coconut milk (400 ml)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2-3 cm fresh ginger
- 2 Thai chili peppers (optional, for extra heat)
- Asian spices (to taste)
- Thai noodles
- Fresh green parsley leaves (for decoration)

Step by step:

Step 1: Preparing the soup
1. Start by placing the chicken in a large pot with chicken broth (or water). Add the peeled garlic cloves. It’s important to use maximum heat to bring the broth to a rapid boil, as done in Thailand.
2. Cover the pot with a lid and let it boil for 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of meat used. It’s essential to skim the broth to remove impurities.

Step 2: Preparing the vegetables
3. Meanwhile, clean and slice the leek into rounds. Keep a few slices for decoration.
4. Peel the ginger and leave it whole (about the size of a walnut). This will add a deep flavor to the soup.
5. Check the coconut milk; if it has solidified, place the unopened can in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to bring it back to liquid state.
6. Slice the chili pepper and mushrooms into small pieces. If the lime leaves are large, cut them in half.

Step 3: Combining the ingredients
7. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly on a plate. Remove it from the bones.
8. Add the leek, ginger, chili peppers, lime leaves, and mushrooms to the pot with the broth. If necessary, add hot water to maintain the desired consistency of the soup.
9. Let the vegetables cook for about 5-7 minutes until they become tender.

Step 4: Finishing the soup
10. After the vegetables are ready, add the coconut milk and let it boil together with the broth for 3-5 minutes.
11. Add the chicken back into the pot. Chop the green parsley and sprinkle it over the soup.
12. Add the soy sauce and lime juice, then taste the soup to adjust the salt and pepper.

Step 5: Preparing the noodles
13. In another pot, cover the noodles with about 300 ml of boiling water. Cover and let them hydrate for 5 minutes.

Serving
Once the soup is ready, it’s time to serve! Garnish each bowl with the reserved leek slices and, if you have, a few fresh coriander leaves or chili peppers for a vibrant look. You can add a few lime slices for an even more intense flavor.

This Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and lime is not just a meal, but a culinary experience that will transport you straight to the heart of Thailand. Pair it with jasmine rice or a fresh Thai salad for a complete meal. A suggested drink would be a cold jasmine tea or a lime cocktail to complement the delight.

Nutritional benefits
This soup is rich in protein due to the chicken and has a significant content of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Coconut milk brings healthy fats, and ginger and limes are known for their antioxidant properties. This combination is not only tasty but also nourishing!

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, you can use pork or fish, but the cooking time will vary.
- What other vegetables can I add?
Carrots, bell peppers, or peas are excellent additions.
- How can I make the soup spicier?
You can add more chili peppers or a chili sauce.

Possible variations
- Vegan: You can replace the chicken with tofu or mushrooms and the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Dairy-free: Use almond or soy milk to keep a creamy texture without dairy.

This soup will take you on a journey of flavors and bring a touch of sunshine to dreary days. Don’t forget to prepare it with lots of love and patience! Enjoy your meal!