Description
Discover how Chicken Pho — Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup — can elevate your comfort food game. With fragrant broth, tender chicken, and fresh herbs, this dish is light yet deeply satisfying, soothing both body and soul.
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, halved
3-inch piece of ginger, sliced
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
7 oz rice noodles (pho noodles)
1 cup bean sprouts
Fresh cilantro, Thai basil, and mint leaves
Sliced green onions
Sliced jalapeños
Lime wedges
Hoisin sauce and sriracha for serving
Instructions
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and ginger, cut side down, and char for 3–4 minutes until golden and fragrant.
2. Add chicken broth, water, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, fish sauce, and soy sauce.
3. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to let flavors develop.
4. Add chicken and poach gently for 10–12 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken and shred.
5. Strain the broth to remove solids, then return clear broth to the pot.
6. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse.
7. To serve, divide noodles among bowls and top with shredded chicken.
8. Ladle hot broth over the top and garnish with bean sprouts, herbs, green onions, and jalapeños.
9. Serve with lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha on the side for custom flavor.
Notes
✨ Comfort Food Transformation Tips:
1. **Make it richer** – Add a splash of coconut milk for a creamy twist.
2. **Boost nutrition** – Toss in bok choy, mushrooms, or spinach.
3. **Add warmth** – Stir in chili oil or crushed red pepper flakes.
4. **Quick fix** – Use rotisserie chicken and store-bought broth for a 20-minute version.
5. **Meal prep magic** – The broth freezes perfectly and tastes even better the next day.
This dish proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be heavy — it can be light, aromatic, and deeply healing.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chicken pho, Vietnamese soup, comfort food, noodle soup, healthy pho, easy pho recipe