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–+ servings

Gluten-Free Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

Creamy, sour and bright Thai coconut soup with galangal, lemongrass, chicken and mushrooms. Naturally free of wheat and soy sauce: just choose a gluten-free fish sauce and stock and it is one of the most reliable Thai dishes a coeliac can make.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup, Starter
Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g chicken breast sliced
  • 400 ml coconut milk
  • 250 ml gluten-free chicken stock see notes
  • 3 slices galangal
  • 2 stalks lemongrass bruised
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves
  • 150 g mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tbsp gluten-free fish sauce see notes
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Chilli and fresh coriander to garnish

Method
 

  1. Build the broth: Bring the coconut milk and GF chicken stock to a gentle simmer with the galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer 5–7 minutes to infuse.
  2. Add chicken + mushrooms: Slip in the sliced chicken and mushrooms and cook 6–8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the mushrooms are tender.
  3. Season & finish: Off the boil, stir in the GF fish sauce and lime juice; taste and adjust the chilli. Garnish with chilli and coriander. The galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves are left in for flavour but not eaten.

Notes

Coeliac notes
• Fish sauce is the first check: most is just anchovy, salt and sugar, but some brands add wheat or unspecified flavourings; use one labelled gluten-free.
• Stock is the second: cubes and powders often contain wheat or barley; use a gluten-free one or make your own.
• Soy sauce does not belong here, and that is the point. Authentic Tom Kha Gai uses no soy sauce, which makes it one of the lowest-risk Thai orders. If a recipe adds it, it must be a certified gluten-free tamari, never wheat-based soy sauce.
• Veggie swap: firm tofu + GF vegetable stock.
• Store up to 2 days; reheat gently without a hard boil (coconut milk can split). When a label is unclear, treat it as "not for me".

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