Aromatic Chicken Pho with Rice Noodles
Indulge in this delightful bowl of Aromatic Chicken Pho, inspired by traditional Vietnamese flavors. This comforting soup features tender chicken simmered with fragrant spices to create a richly flavored broth, which serves as a perfect backdrop for silky rice noodles. Fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables add a burst of flavor and texture, making this dish not only satisfying but a refreshing meal any time of the year. Serve piping hot, allowing your guests to customize their bowls with fresh lime and an array of vibrant garnishes.
4
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole chicken
1 (Rinsed)
White onions
2 (Finely sliced)
Fresh ginger
5 cm (Peeled and sliced)
Cinnamon sticks
2 (Whole)
Cardamom pods
6 (Crushed)
Star anise
3 (Whole)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Salt
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Fish sauce
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Crisp-fried shallots
4 tablespoons (N/A)
Fresh rice noodles
300 g (N/A)
Spring onions
3 (Finely sliced)
Bean sprouts
200 g (Rinsed)
Red chili pepper
1 (Finely chopped)
Vietnamese mint
1 bunch (N/A)
Fresh Asian basil
1 bunch (N/A)
Coriander
1 bunch (N/A)
Lime
1 (Cut into wedges)
Instructions
1
Start by rinsing the whole chicken under cold water, then place it in a large pot. Fill the pot with enough cold water to completely submerge the chicken and bring it to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
2
Once boiling, add the finely sliced onions, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, crushed cardamom pods, star anise, brown sugar, and salt into the pot. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes.
3
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the chicken from the pot, allow it to cool slightly, then carve off the breasts and set them aside. Return the remaining chicken parts back into the pot and continue to simmer the broth for an additional 30 minutes.
4
Strain the broth through a fine sieve to remove solids, then discard the spices and solids. Slice the chicken breast and leg meat into bite-sized pieces.
5
In a separate pot, gently reheat the clear broth, adding the fish sauce and 2 tablespoons of crisp-fried shallots for added flavor.
6
While the broth is warming, place the fresh rice noodles in a bowl. Pour hot water over the noodles, gently using chopsticks to separate them, and then drain the noodles carefully.
7
To serve, divide the soft noodles equally into four deep, warmed bowls. Arrange the sliced chicken on top, then ladle the hot broth over the noodles and chicken.
8
Garnish each bowl with the remaining crisp-fried shallots, sliced spring onions, rinsed bean sprouts, chopped chili, and generous handfuls of Vietnamese mint, Asian basil, and coriander.
9
Provide lime wedges on the side for guests to squeeze into their bowls, enhancing the freshness and zing of the broth.
Nutrition Information
12.5
Fat
37.5
Carbs
30
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aromatic Chicken Pho?
Aromatic Chicken Pho is a comforting Vietnamese-inspired soup featuring tender chicken, fragrant spices, and silky rice noodles.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
What are the main nutritional values per serving?
Each serving contains 400 calories, 12.5g of fat, 37.5g of carbohydrates, and 30g of protein.
How much chicken is required for this pho?
You will need one whole chicken that has been rinsed under cold water.
What spices are used to flavor the broth?
The broth is flavored with 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 crushed cardamom pods, and 3 whole star anise.
How long should the chicken simmer in total?
The broth simmers for a total of 60 minutes: 30 minutes with the whole chicken and another 30 minutes after the breasts are removed.
What type of noodles are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 300g of fresh rice noodles.
How do I prepare the fresh rice noodles?
Place the noodles in a bowl, pour hot water over them, use chopsticks to separate them, and then drain carefully.
How do I ensure the broth stays clear?
Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during boiling and strain the final broth through a fine sieve to remove solids.
When should I remove the chicken breasts?
Remove the chicken from the pot after the first 30 minutes of simmering to carve off the breasts.
What aromatics are added with the spices?
Finely sliced white onions and 5 cm of peeled and sliced fresh ginger are added to the pot.
Is any sugar used in the broth?
Yes, one tablespoon of brown sugar is added to help balance the savory flavors.
What gives the pho its distinct salty-umami flavor?
Two tablespoons of fish sauce are added to the clear broth during the reheating stage.
How are the crisp-fried shallots used?
Two tablespoons are stirred into the broth for flavor, and the remaining two tablespoons are used as a garnish.
What fresh herbs are recommended for garnishing?
The dish is garnished with Vietnamese mint, fresh Asian basil, and coriander.
How do I prepare the bean sprouts for serving?
You should use 200g of bean sprouts that have been thoroughly rinsed.
How should the lime be served?
The lime should be cut into wedges and served on the side for guests to squeeze into their bowls.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
It can be as spicy as you like; the recipe includes one finely chopped red chili pepper as a garnish.
What kind of onions are used in the broth?
The recipe uses two finely sliced white onions for the broth base.
How do I prepare the chicken meat for the final bowl?
Slice both the breast and leg meat into bite-sized pieces before arranging them on top of the noodles.
Do I need to crush the cardamom?
Yes, the 6 cardamom pods should be crushed to better release their flavor into the broth.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of salt to be added during the initial simmering process.
What should I do with the spices after simmering?
Once the broth is strained through a fine sieve, the spices and solids should be discarded.
What kind of spring onions are used?
Three spring onions, finely sliced, are used as part of the vibrant garnish.
Is this a good recipe for a light meal?
Yes, it is tagged as both a light meal and comfort food, making it suitable for any time of the year.
Can I customize the bowl?
Yes, the recipe encourages guests to customize their bowls with fresh lime and various garnishes.
How much ginger is needed?
A 5 cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced, is required.
What type of basil should I look for?
The recipe specifically recommends one bunch of fresh Asian basil.
How should the coriander be prepared?
One bunch of coriander should be used as a fresh garnish for the soup.
What is the first step in making the broth?
The first step is to rinse the chicken and bring it to a boil in a large pot of cold water.