Palauan Coconut Chicken Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) chicken pieces 500g (1.1 lb) chicken pieces
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 2-inch piece ginger, sliced 2-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk
• 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 20g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Pour in the chicken broth and coconut milk, and add the bruised lemongrass stalks.
4. 4.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the lemongrass stalks from the soup and discard.
6. 6.
   Stir in the fish sauce and lime juice. Adjust the seasoning with salt, if needed.
7. 7.
   Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro.
8. 8.
   Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — To bruise the lemongrass stalks, gently pound them with the back of a knife or a rolling pin. This helps release the aromatic oils and flavors.
• Coconut milk — Shake the can of coconut milk before opening to ensure the cream and liquid are well combined.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a sliced chili pepper to the soup.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of chicken broth or simmer the soup for a longer time to allow it to thicken naturally.
• Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as bok choy or mushrooms, to the soup for added nutrition and flavor.
• If you don't have fish sauce, you can substitute it with soy sauce or tamari.
• To make the soup more filling, serve it with steamed rice or noodles on the side.

Serving advice

Serve the Palauan Coconut Chicken Soup hot as a comforting and nourishing main course. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. Add a squeeze of lime juice and sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top before serving to enhance the taste and presentation.

Presentation advice

To elevate the presentation of the Palauan Coconut Chicken Soup, serve it in individual bowls garnished with a sprig of fresh cilantro. You can also add a lime wedge on the side for an extra touch of color. The vibrant yellow color of the soup, combined with the green cilantro garnish, creates an appealing visual contrast.