In the bottom of a large soup pot, heat the oil over high heat until very hot but not smoking. I often make this is a wok on the stove.

Salt the chicken and add to oil, tossing to brown all the pieces. Cook about 3 minutes or until outside is browned, but not necessarily cooked all the way through.

Add mushrooms and asparagus and toss. Allow to cook until some of the moisture is cooked out and the mushrooms/asparagus are soft. Turn down heat to medium-low.

To prepare the lemongrass, slice and mince the lower portion and reserve the stalk to flavor the soup. You can use a food processor for this, or just mince it by hand. The woody upper portion of the stalk will be removed later, so don't chop it up, simply score it by making a few superficial cuts in it to allow it to flavor the soup.

Add the whites of the onions, reserving the greens. Add the minced lower portion of the lemongrass, grated galangal, and chilies. Toss until just warmed through.

Add the lemongrass stalk, lime leaves, chicken stock, coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and remaining onions, reserving just a few for garnish. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend well.

Taste test and adjust flavors as follows:

Not salty enough - add more fish sauce.

Too sour - add a little more brown sugar.

Too spicy - add more coconut milk.

Not spicy enough - add more chilies.

Ladle into 4 soup bowls and garnish with remaining onion greens, cilantro, and basil.

Sometimes Thom Kai Gai is made with tomatos as well, just slice/dice a firm ripened tomato and add it in the last step.