Tom Yum Chicken (Print Version)

Aromatic Thai soup with tender chicken, lemongrass, galangal, and bold citrus-spice flavors.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 14 oz boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Broth

02 - 5 cups chicken stock
03 - 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
04 - 4 slices fresh galangal (about 0.4 oz), or 2 tsp dried galangal
05 - 5 makrut lime leaves, torn into pieces
06 - 4 birds eye chilies, lightly crushed

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

07 - 5.3 oz mushrooms, sliced
08 - 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
09 - 1 small onion, sliced
10 - 3 cloves garlic, smashed

→ Seasonings

11 - 3 tbsp fish sauce
12 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more to taste
13 - 1 tsp sugar
14 - 0.5 tsp salt, or to taste

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1-2 spring onions, thinly sliced
17 - Extra lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bruise the lemongrass, galangal, and makrut lime leaves with the back of a knife to release their aromas.
02 - In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime leaves, birds eye chilies, and garlic. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to infuse the broth.
03 - Add the sliced chicken and onion. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, skimming off any foam.
04 - Add mushrooms and tomato wedges. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
05 - Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and salt. Taste and adjust lime, salt, or fish sauce as desired for a perfect balance of sour, salty, and spicy.
06 - Remove from heat. Discard lemongrass, galangal, and makrut lime leaves if preferred.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with cilantro, spring onions, and extra lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The broth infusion technique unlocks aromatics you never knew existed
  • That perfect hot-sour-salty-sweet balance that makes you pause between spoonfuls
02 -
  • The broth infusion step cannot be rushed, and those 5 minutes of simmering with aromatics make all the difference
  • Fish sauce brands vary wildly in saltiness, so always add it before the final salt adjustment
03 -
  • Smash lemongrass with a mortar and pestle if you have one for better oil release
  • Keep torn lime leaves in the broth for continued flavor infusion as you eat
Go Back