Basil Lemongrass Chicken and Black Rice Soup

A thai-style soup with chicken and forbidden black rice with basil on a blue table.

Basil Lemongrass Chicken and Black Rice Soup

Kristina Todini, RDN

Basil Lemongrass Chicken and Black Rice Soup, a Thai-inspired spicy chicken and forbidden rice soup featuring galangal, Thai basil, kaffir leaves, and lime. A big, bold, and flavorful dish!

4.60 stars (5 ratings)

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Course Soups + Stews

Cuisine Thai-Inspired

Servings servings

Calories 234 kcal

Ingredients

¾ cup forbidden rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
2 whole lemongrass roots soft centers minced and harder shells cut in 2 inch sections
3 ½ inch galangal root
2 whole kaffir leaves
2 teaspoons minced ginger
2 whole Thai chilis chopped (removed seeds to lessen spice)
8 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice from about 1 lime
1 cup Thai basil leaves chopped
1 pinch salt and pepper
2 whole chicken breasts
1 whole carrot shaved or shredded

Instructions

Cook rice: Cook forbidden rice according to package instructions. This can be done in a rice cooker, or on the stovetop by adding 3/4 cup rice and 1.5 cups water to a medium pot and bringing to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook until the rice is soft, about 15-20 minutes.
Cook vegetables: Heat oil in large soup pot or dutch oven on medium heat. Add onion, garlic, lemongrass roots and shells, galangal, ginger, and chilies. Cook 3-5 minutes, or until onion starts to soften.
Cook chicken: Add stock, fish sauce, lime juice, kaffir leaves, salt, and chicken breasts. Bring to boil for a few minutes to release flavors, then reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes.
Shred chicken: Remove galangal and hard lemongrass shells. Remove cooked chicken, allow to cool, then shred with fork and return to soup.
Add rice and serve: Add precooked forbidden rice prior to serving. To serve, spoon soup into bowls and then top with basil leaves and carrots, and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers and storage: Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, and in fact the flavors get better with time and the soup is even more delicious on the second day.
To freeze: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 10gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 621mgPotassium: 424mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 254IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

Keyword chicken and forbidden rice soup, thai basil chicken soup, thai basil lemongrass forbidden rice soup

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