Healthy Chicken Pho Recipe

A bowl of chicken pho with chopsticks twirled around the noodles.

5 from 2 votes

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup dish that consists of a clear broth stewed with spices paired with rice noodles and a protein source, oftentimes beef or chicken. It's the ultimate comfort food on a cooler day.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Servings:

Calories: 403kcal

Author: Clara

Equipment

Instant Pot (Optional)

Ingredients

Stock Ingredients

4 oz Chicken thigh (Add chicken bones after weighing)
1 Star Anise
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cloves
2 Coriander seeds
2 tablespoon Ginger
½ Yellow Onion
1 tablespoon Fish sauce
1 teaspoon Sugar

Noodles and Garnishes

50g Rice noodles
1 tablespoon Hoisin (Optional, for additional seasoning)
Cilantro and Scallions (For garnish)
Lime, bean sprouts, chili pepper (Optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Stovetop Instructions

Toast the spices – Place the cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and star anise in a pan and set the heat to medium heat. Toast until you smell the fragrance of the spices, about 2 minutes, and set aside.
Char the aromatics – Cut the ginger and onions so that it has a flat surface area and sauté in a pan until it is charred.
Make the stock – Gather the stew ingredients. In a large pot, add about 2 cups of chicken stock, along with the spices put in a cheesecloth bag if you have it, the chicken, and the charred aromatics. Add in some of the fish sauce, sugar, and salt to season the chicken as it cooks. Bring the stock to a boil, then lower to a light simmer so as to not overcook the chicken. Cook for about 15 minutes.
Prepare the noodles – While the stock is cooking, cut the garnishes in preparation for putting together the noodle bowl. Slice the chili peppers, limes, and scallions. And cook the noodles according to the package directions.
Adjust the stock – Once the stock has reached its cooking time, have a taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Traditionally, it is adjusted with fish sauce and sugar.
Serve and enjoy – In a bowl, add the noodles, add the stew, garnish with cilantro, scallions, chili, and lime, and enjoy! Serve it with a side of hoisin sauce if desired.

Notes

Substitutions and Variations

With lean beef – You can also opt to make this with lean beef cuts if you'd prefer meat. Flank steak and eye round are great options.

Make it With Instant Pot – To make this in the Instant Pot, follow the instructions below using sauté mode on the Instant Pot to char the aromatics and toast the spices. Then add the chicken into the pot and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes and let it naturally release for 5 minutes. Depressurize the Instant Pot before seasoning the stock with fish sauce and sugar. Then add to the cooked rice noodles, garnish, and serve.

Expert Tips

Taste Test And Season to Adjust – Adjust the stew with sugar, fish sauce, or water to achieve the desired flavor.

If it is too bland, add sugar and fish sauce.
If it is too salty, add some sugar.
If it is too sweet (unlikely to happen with this recipe if the portion sizes are followed), add some fish sauce or more water.

Don't overcook the chicken – If you bring the pot to a low simmer or follow the instant pot cooking times, you'll have the perfect chicken texture.

Nutrition