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Mulligatawny Soup

The best chicken soup ever, Mulligatawny soup is a British-Indian fusion of bold and delightful curry spices in a rich and creamy coconut milk soup base. Packed with curried chicken and rice, it’s a meal-worthy soup that the family will love! This post has been updated with new photos and a streamlined, better-than-ever recipe.

Mulligatawny soup in a bowl

Meet my favorite chicken soup in the entire world. Yes, the tippity-top pick. The chicken soup I would pick if forced to chose just one to eat for the rest of my life.

This is the one: Mulligatawny soup. If you’ve never had it before, be prepared to have your soup world rocked.

A soup with a sketchy and largely unconfirmed history, mulligatawny is pure comfort food, full of flavor, both exotic and familiar at the same time. Literally “pepper water,” mulligatawny is sometimes credited to Indian cuisine, but more likely was created by the Brits, who love curries more than meat pies, bless their little stringy-meat lovin’ hearts.

Ingredients for mulligatawny soup

The spices called for are readily available in American grocery stores, and if you’re a DIY spice blend maker like I am, try my homemade garam masala. It’s da bomb, and flavors up mulligatawny soup beautifully — no heat, just boldly spiced.

Steps to prepare mulligatawny soup

I can’t even remember the last time I made regular chicken soup.

Two bowls of mulligatawny soup

Oh, and mulligatawny soup not only keeps well, but it tastes even better after an overnight stay in the refrigerator. Double the recipe and freeze some for those snowy days ahead when you need a warm soup hug now.

Karen xo

Mulligatawny Soup Recipe
Print Recipe
4.85 from 20 votes

Mulligatawny Soup

This classic spiced chicken soup is a winter favorite — so tasty, gently spiced and ultra comforting.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: British
Keyword: mulligatawny soup
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 362kcal
Author: Karen Gibson

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast or thighs, your choice, sliced into short, thin strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon flour

For the soup

  • 3 tablespoons olive or coconut oil, divided usage
  • 1 small/medium onion, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder (mild or hot, your choice)
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1 sweet-tart apple (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled)
  • 14 ounce can coconut milk, well shaken
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 4-5 qt stock pot or dutch oven over medium until shimmering.
  • Toss chicken pieces with the seasonings and flour and add to pot. Brown chicken on all sides — cooking through completely — and remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.
  • Add another 1 tablespoon oil to pot (still on medium heat). When shimmering, add onions, celery and carrots. Saute until soft. Add garlic and saute, stirring until fragrant (just a minute or so).
  • Push the vegetables to one side, and add the remaining tablespoon of oil in the bare spot, heating briefly. Sprinkle the garam masala, curry powder, flour and a generous pinch of salt over the oil and stir to form a fragrant paste, then mix in with the vegetables, cooking briefly to bloom the spices. Add a small amount of the chicken stock and stir to smooth out any lumps formed by the roux.
  • Tip the remaining chicken stock into the pot and turn heat to medium-high. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, add the rice, and reduce heat back to medium-low. Partially cover the pot and to cook for 15 minutes. Grate the apple directly over the soup (to catch all the juices, too) and stir in the reserved chicken. Cook for 5 minutes more. Taste and add salt as necessary.
  • Turn heat to low and add coconut milk, stirring to mix thoroughly. Let heat through, and do one final tasting, adding salt and pepper to suit.

Recipe Video

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal
Nutritional information, if shown, is provided as a courtesy only, and is not to be taken as medical information or advice. The nutritional values of your preparation of this recipe are impacted by several factors, including, but not limited to, the ingredient brands you use, any substitutions or measurement changes you make, and measuring accuracy.

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Mulligatawny Soup - Recipe at SoupAddict.com

Recipe Rating




Christine

Thursday 16th of February 2023

It looks delicious, sounds easy enough to make , but the damn pop ups that make you have to start all over again are too much ! Maybe tomorrow I’ll have more patience to get the whole recipe! Today I just don’t!

Nick

Monday 28th of November 2022

I've been wanting to make this soup for years and finally made it yesterday using your recipe. It was excellent. So flavorful.

I prepped everything up and had it ready in small bowls so the flow went well. Mmm! My home still smells fantastic.

I added it to my "keeper" board.

Sam

Monday 12th of September 2022

This is my new favorite soup recipe! I recommend doubling the recipe if you intend to feed 2+ people and would like to have leftovers throughout the week. I had zero issues with the rice absorbing the liquid, so my opinion is that the rice doesn't need to be cooked and stored separately. It's great for meal prepping!

SoupAddict

Monday 12th of September 2022

I'm so glad you liked it! It's probably my own #1 fave. I don't mind the rice absorbing the liquid either -- the "stew" is just as tasty!

Jenell

Saturday 5th of March 2022

Is this recipe freezer friendly with the apple and coconut milk? Love this soup!

SoupAddict

Saturday 5th of March 2022

Yes, absolutely. Coconut milk, unlike dairy, actually freezes and reheats wonderfully. The Apple breaks down pretty well while cooking, so it’s not a problem either.

Basia P

Thursday 24th of February 2022

I just love this soup. Made it according to the recipe and it tastes like the soup I get at the Indian Deli. The only difference is theirs has grated coconut in it, which I added to this recipe. Lots of work but worth it, Thanks for sharing.

SoupAddict

Monday 28th of February 2022

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Nice touch with the grated coconut - if it didn't make me gag, I would do that, too (it's a texture thing with the papery grates; I otherwise love cocoonut).