Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)
Tom Kha Gai delivers 45g protein and 263 calories per serving, making it a legitimate protein-forward meal despite being broth-based. Quick stovetop prep yields 4 servings, ready in under 30 minutes. This soup works for anyone tracking macros who wants a filling dinner that fits calorie targets.
Ingredients
- •Lemongrass, Fresh(40g)
- •Galangal, Fresh Root(30g)
- •Kaffir Lime Leaves, Fresh
- •Low Sodium Chicken Broth(1440g)
- •Green Onion (Scallion)
- •Mushrooms, White, Sliced(227g)
- •Chicken Breast, Grilled(480g)
- •Coconut Milk, Full-Fat, Canned
- •Fish sauce(30g)
- •Coconut Sugar, Granulated(15g)
- •Thai chili paste (nam prik pao)(30g)
- •Lime Juice, Fresh(30g)
- •Fine Sea Salt, To Taste
Instructions
- 1Infuse the broth. Using the back of a knife, lightly smash the lemongrass on a cutting board, then cut it into 1-inch pieces. Add lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chicken broth, and the white parts of the green onions to a large stockpot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 2Strain. Pour the broth through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the lemongrass, lime leaves, and galangal solids. Return the clear, aromatic broth to the pot.
- 3Build the soup. Add the mushrooms, coconut milk, fish sauce, coconut sugar, and Thai chili paste (if using). Stir to combine. Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat and cook for 3–5 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender.
- 4Add the chicken and lime. Stir in the shredded chicken and cook for 1–2 minutes, until warmed through. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust — adding more fish sauce (salty), lime juice (sour), sugar (sweet), or chili paste (spicy) as desired.
- 5Serve. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish generously with cilantro, green onion tops, red chiles, and lime wedges. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition — Per Serving
263
calories
45g
protein
5g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 12g
- Saturated fat
- 1.4g
- Sodium
- 1355 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 3.4g
4 servings per batch · ~581g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Tom Kha Gai have per serving?
Each serving contains 45g of protein with 263 calories, delivering an exceptional protein-to-calorie ratio of 0.17. The macro breakdown includes 5g fat and 12g carbs, making it one of the leanest high-protein soup options available.
How long does Tom Kha Gai take to prep?
This recipe is quick prep and batch-makes 4 servings on the stovetop, enabling efficient meal prepping for multiple days of lunches or dinners. The stovetop method allows hands-on time to be minimal once ingredients are prepped.
Is Tom Kha Gai good for muscle gain?
At 45g of protein and 263 calories per serving, this soup is highly efficient for muscle gain phases where hitting 180+ grams of daily protein is critical without excess calories. The moderate carbohydrate content supports training performance while keeping the focus on protein delivery.
