Herbal Delight Pho with Faux Chicken and Shrimp
Savor the essence of Vietnam with this delightful Faux Chicken and Shrimp Pho—a comforting bowl of fragrant and revitalizing soup that warms the heart and nourishes the soul. This recipe combines hearty chicken broth infused with aromatic spices, fresh ginger, and garlic, all delicately simmered with vibrant veggies and succulent shrimp. Ideal for any season, this dish can easily be made low carb by omitting the noodles, allowing you to customize your experience. Gather your loved ones around the table to enjoy an authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine—all in a quick and accessible way.
6
Servings
300
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken Broth
10 cups (Store-bought or homemade)
Onion
1 (Thinly sliced)
Fresh Ginger
1 1/4 ounces (Cut into 4 1/2 inch thick slices)
Nam Pla (Fish Sauce)
2 tablespoons (Authentic brand recommended)
Garlic
3 cloves (Halved)
Star Anise
2 (Whole)
Whole Cloves
10 (Whole)
Boneless Chicken Breast
1 large (Trimmed)
Fresh Bean Sprouts
8 ounces (Rinsed)
Baby Carrots
12 (Sliced into thirds)
Cellophane or Bean Thread Noodles
8 ounces (Pre-cut)
Green Onions
3 (Sliced)
Shrimp
1/2 lb (Cleaned and shelled)
Lime Wedge
1 (To serve)
Cilantro Leaf
1/2 cup (Fresh)
Fresh Mint Leaves
1/2 cup (Fresh)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat.
2
Add cellophane or bean thread noodles to the pot, allowing them to sit for about 15 minutes until tender. Drain the noodles and place them in a large serving bowl.
3
In a separate soup pot, combine chicken broth, sliced onion, fish sauce, sliced baby carrots, and the boneless chicken breast. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
4
In a piece of cheesecloth or using a tea infuser, gather the whole cloves, sliced ginger, halved garlic, and star anise. Place this spice bundle into the simmering soup pot with the chicken.
5
Allow the broth, chicken, and vegetables to simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
6
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes on a cutting board. Dice the chicken into cubes and return it to the soup pot.
7
Remove the spice bundle and discard its contents.
8
Add rinsed bean sprouts and shrimp to the soup and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
9
Ladle the piping hot soup over the prepared noodles in the serving bowl, ensuring each bowl gets a good mix of chicken, shrimp, and vegetables.
10
Top each serving with sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, and mint leaves.
11
Serve immediately with a wedge of lime on the side for added brightness.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
13.3g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbal Delight Pho with Faux Chicken and Shrimp?
It is a comforting and revitalizing Vietnamese-style clear soup featuring chicken, shrimp, and aromatic spices like ginger and star anise.
How many servings does this pho recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What are the main protein sources in this dish?
The main proteins are boneless chicken breast and cleaned, shelled shrimp.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
Can I make this recipe low carb?
Yes, you can easily make this dish low carb by omitting the cellophane or bean thread noodles.
What is the total fat content per serving?
There are 3.3 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is provided per serving?
Each serving provides 25 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 13.3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should the noodles soak?
The cellophane or bean thread noodles should soak in boiled water for about 15 minutes until tender.
What spices are used to flavor the broth?
The broth is flavored with a spice bundle containing whole cloves, sliced ginger, halved garlic, and star anise.
How long does the chicken need to simmer in the broth?
The chicken should simmer with the broth and vegetables for approximately 30 minutes until fully cooked.
What should I do with the chicken after it is cooked?
Remove the chicken from the pot, let it cool briefly, dice it into cubes, and then return it to the soup pot.
When do I add the shrimp to the soup?
The shrimp should be added after the chicken has been diced and the spice bundle has been removed.
How long do the shrimp take to cook?
The shrimp only need to simmer for about 5 minutes or until they turn pink and are cooked through.
What vegetables are included in the broth?
The recipe includes thinly sliced onion, sliced baby carrots, and rinsed bean sprouts.
What type of noodles are used in this pho?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of cellophane or bean thread noodles.
Is fish sauce required for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 tablespoons of Nam Pla (fish sauce) for authentic flavor.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need 10 cups of chicken broth, which can be store-bought or homemade.
What fresh herbs are recommended for garnishing?
The soup is topped with fresh cilantro leaves, fresh mint leaves, and sliced green onions.
How many star anise are used?
Two whole star anise are included in the spice bundle.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe requires 3 cloves of garlic, which should be halved.
What is the purpose of the lime wedge?
A lime wedge is served on the side to add brightness and acidity to the hot soup.
How many whole cloves are used in the spice bundle?
There are 10 whole cloves used in the spice infusion.
How should the ginger be prepared for the broth?
1 1/4 ounces of fresh ginger should be cut into 4.5-inch thick slices.
What should I do with the spice bundle after simmering?
Once the broth is infused, remove the spice bundle and discard its contents.
Is this recipe considered quick to make?
Yes, it is described as a quick and accessible way to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
How should the baby carrots be sliced?
The 12 baby carrots should be sliced into thirds before being added to the soup.
What is the recipe category for this dish?
This recipe is categorized as a Clear Soup.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
One large trimmed, boneless chicken breast is recommended.
How do I assemble the final bowl of pho?
Ladle the hot soup over the prepared noodles in a serving bowl and top with green onions, cilantro, and mint.