Indian Mulligatawny Soup is a delightful twist on chicken and rice soup, infused with curry, carrots, apples, and thyme. The result? A symphony of textures and tastes that will transport your taste buds to new heights. Don’t be intimidated—this recipe is very easy to prepare! So, embrace your culinary prowess, savor each spoonful, and let your friends and family thank you for giving them this nourishing and tantalizing dish.
Table of Contents
- You will love this Mulligatawny Recipe
- Why is it Called Mulligatawny?
- Why is it called Mulligatawny Soup?
- Mulligatawny Indian Soup Ingredients
- Mulligatawny Substitutions
- How to Make Mulligatawny Soup
- How to Serve Indian Mulligatawny Soup
- How to Store this Mulligatawny Soup Indian Recipe
- Mulligatawny Indian Soup FAQ
- Other Chicken Soups You Might Like
- Mulligatawny Soup
You will love this Mulligatawny Recipe
I’m one of those unusual people who likes winter time in Colorado – I like to snuggle up with Robert next to a fire, enjoying a bowl of warm, delicious soup. Indian Mulligatawny Soup is a particular favorite of ours – which is one of the reasons it ended up as the cover photo on A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®, my first cookbook.
Why is it Called Mulligatawny?
Mulligatawny is a curry-flavored soup, originally from East India. Food lore has it that Brits employed by the East India Company during the late 18th/19th century fell in love with this soup, and took the recipe home with them to England. There are many versions – some omit the chicken and add lentils, others include lamb and almonds. Our recipe started with an old one from mom’s recipe box, which she and I added to and updated.
Why is it called Mulligatawny Soup?
There are varying theories as to how this soup got its name. Originating during the British Raj, or when the brits ruled India (1858-1947), one idea is that the name was the Brit’s incorrect pronunciation of a soup served to them called milagu tanner – or “pepper water” – in the southern Indian Tamil dialect.
Mulligatawny Indian Soup Ingredients
We start with sautéing onions, celery and carrots in butter, then blending in a bit of flour and curry powder. In addition to throwing in the basic ingredients of chicken, rice and chicken broth, mom and I also added chopped apple and thyme for additional flavor. We finish it all off with a bit of half and half, for creaminess. So colorful, so delicious!
Mulligatawny Substitutions
Here are a few variations you can also try with this recipe:
- Lamb in place of the chicken.
- Lentils in place of the chicken.
- Parsnips in place of carrots.
- Leeks in place of the onions.
How to Make Mulligatawny Soup
Here are the easy steps involved in preparing this amazing soup:
- Cook vegetables.
In a large stock pot, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, celery and carrots and sauté over medium to medium-high heat until the onions are softened, around 10 minutes. - Add flour, curry and broth.
Stir in the flour and curry powder and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. - Add rice, apple, chicken, thyme, seasonings.
Add the rice, apple, chicken, thyme and salt and pepper to taste (you won’t need much salt). Bring to a boil again, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. - Add cream.
Stir in the half and half, bring to a boil again, reduce and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the rice is done. - Cool and serve.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving – it gets very hot!
How to Serve Indian Mulligatawny Soup
Mulligatawny Soup is very hearty and doesn’t need much on the side. I like to serve with a simple tossed salad and a slice of toasted French bread.
How to Store this Mulligatawny Soup Indian Recipe
If you have leftover soup, cool, place in a sealed container and refrigerate. It will last 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a low simmer and cook until heated through. I don’t recommend freezing leftover soup with half and half in it. The texture can become grainy and the flavor can be decreased.
If you want to freeze this soup to serve later:
- Don’t add the half and half. Prepare it up to that point (cooking with rice, apple, chicken, thyme and salt and pepper), then place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Make sure to leave around 1 inch of space at the top of your container (between the soup and the lid).
- Once chilled, place in the freezer. It will last for around 1 month.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Place in a large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir in half and half and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
Mulligatawny Indian Soup FAQ
Our recipe calls for carrots, onion and celery. You could also add cubed butternut squash, shallots, green onion, or bell peppers.
No, you shouldn’t purée our version of Mulligatawny soup. There are other, vegetarian versions, most often calling for lentils, that are puréed.
Yes, mulligatawny soup can contain meat. Our version calls for chopped chicken; I’ve seen others that called for lamb.
Pronounce “mulligatawny” just like it’s spelled! Maybe this will help: Mull (like mull the idea over) – uh – ga – tawny (like the color).
Other Chicken Soups You Might Like
- Artichoke and Chicken Chowder
- Chicken Corn Chowder
- Southwestern Chicken Soup with Avocado Cheese Garnish
- Green Chile Chicken Soup
- White Bean and Chicken Chili
- Chicken Noodle Soup
Mulligatawny Soup
Indian Mulligatawny Soup is a delightful twist on chicken and rice soup, infused with curry, carrots, apples, and thyme. The result? A symphony of textures and tastes that will transport your taste buds to new heights. Don’t be intimidated—this recipe is very easy to prepare! So, embrace your culinary prowess, savor each spoonful, and let your friends and family thank you for giving them this nourishing and tantalizing dish.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 70 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
(See dairy-free and gluten-free adaptations in the Notes section at the bottom of the recipe.)
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 4 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 4 teaspoons curry powder
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup white or brown rice
- 1 apple, cored and finely chopped
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 cup half and half
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion, celery and carrots and sauté over medium to medium-high heat until the onions are softened, around 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and curry powder and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add the rice, apple, chicken, thyme and salt and pepper to taste (you won’t need much salt). Bring to a boil again, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the half and half, bring to a boil again, reduce and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the rice is done.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving – it gets very hot!
Notes
Dairy free: Substitute coconut milk for the half and half.
Gluten free: Substitute 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch for the flour. Stir cornstarch into 1/4 cup water until smooth before adding to soup. Use gluten-free chicken broth.
Make ahead: Soup can be made up to 24 hours in advance, cooled to room temperature, covered and refrigerated. Reheat over medium heat. If soup has thickened while sitting, thin with additional chicken broth.
- Category: soups, main dishes
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 348
- Sugar: 6.1 g
- Sodium: 163.9 mg
- Fat: 15.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 29.2 g
- Fiber: 2.9 g
- Protein: 23.3 g
- Cholesterol: 81.6 mg
Could not find PARSNIPS (let alone somebody that knew what a parsnip looks like … !)
Recipe is good. Less ingredients than most recipes, which is a good thing. Never liked “scavenger” hunts.
Thanks much for this recipe.
Glad you liked our soup! And, no scavenger hunts for these ingredients, fortunately.
I must cook India food
I love India food I want to cook it now
Hi Lee. I made your Indian Mulligatawny Soup the other night for supper and it was a hit with all. Very yummy and super easy to do.
Thanks Nancy! So glad you all liked it.
Hi Lee,
Happy Thanksgiving from your Canadian friend. I love your recipes that I receive in my inbox. Just wanted you to know. XOGinia
Thanks Ginia! Glad you are enjoying my recipes! Lee