Mulligatawny
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs – boneless, skinless, cut into 0.5-inch pieces
- 1 large onion – finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot – diced small
- 2 ribs celery – diced small
- 1 medium apple – peeled, cored, diced small
- 3 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger – finely grated
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cups basmati rice – rinsed
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoons black pepper – freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice – fresh
- cilantro leaves – chopped (for serving)
- lemon wedges – for serving
Instructions
1. Prep the ingredients: finely chop the onion; dice the carrot and celery; peel, core, and dice the apple; mince the garlic; grate the ginger; rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on the edges, 5–7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and apple to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables soften, 6–8 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Stir in the curry powder and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until the spices smell toasty and the paste darkens slightly, 1 minute.
6. Return the chicken to the pot. Add the basmati rice, chicken stock, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
7. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the soup has thickened slightly, 20–25 minutes. Doneness cue: rice should be soft but not blown out, and chicken cooked through.
8. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
9. Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro leaves; serve with lemon wedges.
Mulligatawny is a warmly spiced, hearty soup that bridges South Indian flavors with British soup-making traditions. Typically built on a base of onion, carrot, and celery, it features tender chicken, aromatic curry powder, and rice that gently thickens the broth. A diced apple adds subtle sweetness and fruitiness, while a squeeze of lemon and fresh cilantro brighten the finish.
Originating from the Tamil phrase for “pepper water,” the dish evolved from the light, peppery rasam-like broths served in South India. During the British colonial period, it was adapted in Anglo-Indian kitchens into a richer, meal-worthy soup with meat and rice, becoming popular in 19th-century Britain and beyond. Over time, versions have ranged from vegetarian, dal-forward bowls to creamy, coconut-scented interpretations, but the curried broth with rice remains the enduring hallmark.