Description
This easy chicken pho recipe delivers a fragrant and flavorful Vietnamese noodle soup that can be ready in just 30 minutes. Combining a savory broth infused with star anise, garlic, and ginger with tender shredded chicken and flat rice noodles, it’s a comforting and wholesome meal perfect for any day of the week. Customize it with fresh herbs and crunchy bean sprouts for an authentic pho experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 star anise
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger or ginger paste
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1 rotisserie chicken, thinly sliced or shredded
Noodle
- 8 ounces flat rice noodles
Optional Toppings
- Lime wedges
- Cilantro
- Thai basil
- Bean sprouts
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: Heat ½ tablespoon of sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 star anise, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for about 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, releasing the spices’ aromatic flavors into the oil.
- Add liquids and chicken to the pot: Pour in 6 cups of chicken stock, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 to 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, and the juice of 1 lime. Add sliced jalapeño pepper and thinly sliced or shredded rotisserie chicken to the mixture.
- Simmer the broth: Bring the soup to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to infuse the broth with richness.
- Cook the noodles: While the broth simmers, prepare 8 ounces of flat rice noodles according to package instructions, typically by soaking or briefly boiling them until tender.
- Assemble the pho bowls: Divide the cooked noodles evenly between four bowls. Ladle the hot chicken broth and pieces over the noodles, ensuring each serving has a good balance of broth, chicken, and jalapeño slices.
- Add toppings and serve: Garnish each bowl with optional fresh lime wedges, cilantro, Thai basil, and bean sprouts to add brightness, texture, and herbal notes to the dish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less jalapeño or substituting with another chili.
- Using a rotisserie chicken simplifies the prep and gives the soup a rich chicken flavor quickly.
- Feel free to add other toppings like sliced green onions, hoisin sauce, or Sriracha for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your soy sauce is tamari or a certified gluten-free variety.
- Rice noodles cook very quickly, so watch them carefully to avoid overcooking and becoming mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keywords: easy pho recipe, chicken pho, Vietnamese noodle soup, quick pho, chicken noodle soup, star anise broth, flat rice noodles
