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Chicken Pho Recipe

This Chicken Pho is a comforting Vietnamese classic! Tender chicken and aromatic herbs create a rich, flavorful broth that's perfect any day of the week.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Comfort Food, Nourishing, One-Pot
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 cups celery sliced
  • 0.5 cup onion diced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1.5 cups carrots sliced
  • 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 stalks lemongrass each cut into three
  • 6 pods star anise
  • to taste black peppercorns
  • 1 pound chicken thighs trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice
  • 0.5 large lime juice of half
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha or to taste
  • to taste finely sliced mint for garnish
  • to taste finely sliced Thai basil for garnish
  • to taste cilantro for garnish
  • 5 ounces rice noodles

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, sliced celery, and minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Next, stir in the sliced carrots, followed by the reduced-sodium chicken broth. The broth is the heart of this Chicken Pho Recipe, so be sure to use a quality option for the best flavor.
  • Add the fish sauce, cut lemongrass, star anise pods, and a few black peppercorns to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together for about 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, add the trimmed chicken thighs to the pot. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 tablespoon of Chinese five-spice and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks, then return it to the pot.
  • Stir in the juice of half a lime and adjust the seasoning with more fish sauce or sriracha according to your taste.
  • To serve, place a handful of cooked rice noodles in a bowl, ladle the hot broth and chicken over the noodles, and top with finely sliced mint, Thai basil, and cilantro. Enjoy your delicious bowl of Chicken Pho Recipe while it’s hot!

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Slotted Spoon
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Notes

  • For a deeper flavor, let the broth simmer longer. You can also prepare it a day in advance to let the flavors develop further.
  • If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken can be a great shortcut. Just add it to the broth at the end.
  • Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices according to your preference.
  • Don’t skip on the garnishes; they really elevate the dish!