Description
This Thai Coconut and Chicken Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with lemongrass, ginger, and shiitake mushrooms in a rich and creamy coconut milk broth. Enhanced with fresh lime juice, basil, and scallions, this gluten-free soup delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes to warm and satisfy you.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth Base
- 3 lemongrass stalks (outer layers removed and smashed)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 piece ginger (peeled and sliced thin)
- 1 lime (zest of entire lime)
- 1 shallot (minced)
- 1 fresno chili
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 4 oz shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
- 13.5 oz unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 carrot (chopped)
Finishing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp basil (fresh, chopped)
- 1 scallion (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemongrass: Remove the tough outer layers of the lemongrass stalks and use a meat tenderizer or the back of a knife to smash them to release their fragrant oils and flavor.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the lemongrass, chicken broth, fish sauce, sugar, thinly sliced ginger, lime zest, minced shallot, fresno chili, chicken breasts, and sliced shiitake mushrooms to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours or on low for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to develop while the chicken cooks through and becomes tender.
- Add Coconut Milk and Carrot: Pour in the unsweetened coconut milk and add the chopped carrot. Continue cooking on high for an additional 30 minutes to let the carrot soften and the coconut milk fully infuse the soup.
- Finish with Lime and Fresh Herbs: Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with additional lime wedges, thinly sliced scallions, and more basil for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- This gluten-free soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly day while providing a filling and nourishing meal.
- Adjust the level of chili to suit your spice preference or omit it entirely for a milder soup.
- For added depth, you can use homemade chicken broth or add kaffir lime leaves if available.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 329 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 946 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
