The Heartwarming Vietnamese Chicken Pho Soup Recipe You’ll Love

Warm bowls of authentic vietnamese chicken pho soup bring comfort straight to your heart.

Fragrant herbs and delicate rice noodles dance together in a harmonious broth perfected through generations.

Culinary traditions from hanoi shine through each carefully crafted spoonful.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft noodle strands, creating a symphony of textures.

Generations of skilled home cooks have refined this recipe with loving precision.

Aromatic star anise and cinnamon whisper stories of vietnamese street markets and family gatherings.

Slurp and savor every magical bite – this soup promises an unforgettable journey.

Why Vietnamese Chicken Pho Is Soul-Soothing

• Savor Authentic Flavors: Charring onions and ginger creates a deep, smoky complexity that transports your taste buds straight to the streets of Vietnam.
• Master a Professional Technique: The slow-simmered broth requires minimal active cooking, allowing home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and patient cooking.
• Create a Customizable Comfort Meal: Serving the soup with optional herb toppings, chili slices, and sauces lets everyone personalize their bowl, making it perfect for family gatherings and diverse palates.
• Nutrition-Packed One-Pot Wonder: The homemade chicken broth delivers rich protein, while fresh herbs add essential vitamins and a vibrant, fresh finish to this hearty and nourishing meal.

Ingredients for a Comforting Chicken Pho

• Whole Chicken: Fresh meat that provides the primary protein and creates the rich, foundational flavor for the soup.

• Onions, Ginger: Charred ingredients that add deep smoky notes and complexity to the broth.

• Cinnamon Sticks, Star Anise, Cloves, Coriander Seeds: Warm spices that infuse the broth with traditional Vietnamese aromatic profile.

• Fish Sauce, Salt, Sugar: Seasonings that balance and deepen the overall taste of the soup.

• Rice Noodles: Traditional Vietnamese soup noodles that provide the starchy component of the dish.

• Fresh Herbs, Lime Wedges, Fresh Chili Slices, Hoisin Sauce, Sriracha: Optional toppings that allow individual customization of flavor and heat level.

Making Authentic Vietnamese Chicken Pho

Step 1: Roast Aromatics

Carefully char onions and ginger over an open flame or under a broiler until edges turn slightly black. This technique releases deep, smoky undertones that elevate the broth’s complexity.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Whole chicken
• Charred onions
• Ginger
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Cloves
• Coriander seeds

Cover completely with water, ensuring all ingredients are submerged.

Step 3: Simmer and Extract Richness

Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low.

Gently skim foam and impurities from the surface. Allow broth to simmer slowly for 1.5 to 2 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and liquid transforms into a deeply fragrant broth.

Step 4: Prepare Broth

Remove chicken and set aside to cool.

Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding solid ingredients. Season broth with fish sauce, salt, and sugar, adjusting flavors to your preference.

Step 5: Cook Noodles

Prepare rice noodles following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

Step 6: Shred Chicken

Once chicken has cooled, pull meat from bones and tear into bite-sized pieces.

Step 7: Assemble Soup

Layer noodles in serving bowls.

Top with shredded chicken. Carefully ladle piping hot broth over noodles and meat.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

• Fresh herbs
• Lime wedges
• Sliced chili peppers

Serve alongside hoisin sauce and sriracha for personalized flavor enhancement.

Pro Tips for Flavorful Pho Broth

• Char onions and ginger thoroughly to unlock deep, smoky flavor profiles that elevate the broth's complexity.
• Use whole chicken for richer, more authentic taste and ensure gentle simmering to extract maximum flavor without toughening meat.
• Strain broth carefully to achieve crystal-clear liquid, removing impurities while preserving delicate aromatic notes from spices.
• Select fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, and mint to brighten the soup and add vibrant, refreshing layers of taste.
• Control seasoning with fish sauce, adjusting salt and sugar levels gradually to create perfectly balanced broth that complements chicken's natural sweetness.

Pho Variations to Customize Your Bowl

• Vegetarian Pho: Replace chicken with tofu or mixed mushrooms, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra vegetables like bok choy and bean sprouts for robust flavors.
• Beef Pho Version: Substitute chicken with thinly sliced beef brisket or sirloin. Sear beef separately and add to hot broth right before serving for tender meat texture.
• Seafood Pho Style: Use shrimp, fish fillets, or mixed seafood instead of chicken. Reduce simmering time to prevent overcooking delicate proteins and maintain fresh ocean flavors.
• Spicy Korean Fusion Pho: Incorporate gochujang paste into broth, add kimchi as garnish, and include Korean red pepper flakes for extra heat and complexity.

Side Dishes That Work with Chicken Pho

• Pair with Fresh Rice Wine: Crisp, light Vietnamese rice wine complements the complex, aromatic soup by cutting through its rich broth and enhancing the delicate herbal notes.
• Boost with Jasmine Green Tea: Smooth, slightly grassy jasmine tea provides a clean palate cleanser that balances the soup's deep spices and refreshes between spoonfuls.
• Match with Crisp Vietnamese Lager: Cold, light beer like Saigon or 333 beer offers a refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy broth, creating a perfect flavor harmony.
• Elevate with Herb-Infused Sparkling Water: Cucumber or mint-infused sparkling water adds a light, bright element that mirrors the fresh herbs in the pho, creating a vibrant dining experience.

How to Store Vietnamese Pho for Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken pho in an airtight container, separating broth and noodles. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and flavor.
• Freeze: Pour cooled broth into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze chicken and noodles separately to maintain texture. Keeps up to 2 months.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm broth separately first, then add noodles and chicken. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent overcooking.
• Stovetop Reheating: Gently reheat broth in a pot over medium-low heat. Add noodles and chicken when broth is warm, stirring carefully to prevent breaking noodles. Add fresh herbs just before serving to maintain their vibrant flavor and texture.

Chicken Pho FAQs That Help

• What makes Vietnamese chicken pho different from other soups?

The key difference is the complex broth, created by charring onions and ginger and simmering with whole spices like star anise and cinnamon, which develops a deep, rich flavor unique to Vietnamese cuisine.

• Is pho a healthy dish?

Yes, pho is nutritionally balanced with lean protein from chicken, complex carbohydrates from rice noodles, and essential nutrients from fresh herbs, making it a wholesome and nourishing meal.

• Can I make pho broth ahead of time?

Absolutely! The broth can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months, which helps develop even more intense flavors.

Vietnamese Chicken Pho Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Vietnamese Chicken Pho brings aromatic spices and delicate noodles together in a comforting bowl of pure culinary magic. Savory broth, tender chicken, and fresh herbs create a symphony of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 pounds / 1.4–1.8 kilograms)
• 1 pound (454 grams) dried rice noodles (Pho noodles)

Aromatics and Spices:

• 2 large onions, halved
• 1 piece of ginger (about 4 inches / 10 centimeters), sliced lengthwise
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
• 4 cloves
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Fresh herbs: cilantro, Thai basil, mint
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Fresh chili slices (optional)
• Hoisin sauce, for serving
• Sriracha, for serving

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Instructions

1. Roast onions and ginger over direct flame or broiler until edges turn dark and caramelized, releasing intense smoky essence into the upcoming broth.
2. Transfer whole chicken into large stockpot, combining charred aromatics with warming spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds.
3. Pour cold water over ingredients, ensuring chicken remains completely submerged, creating a rich flavor foundation.
4. Heat liquid to rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to gentle simmer. Carefully remove accumulated foam and impurities from surface during initial 15-20 minutes of cooking.
5. Continue simmering for approximately 90-120 minutes, allowing broth to develop deep, complex flavors and chicken to become perfectly tender.
6. Carefully extract chicken from liquid, letting it cool slightly before delicately separating meat from bones using two forks.
7. Strain broth through fine-mesh sieve, eliminating solids and preserving clear, fragrant liquid.
8. Season broth with fish sauce, adjusting salt and sugar levels to create balanced, harmonious taste profile.
9. Prepare rice noodles according to package directions, ensuring they remain tender yet slightly firm.
10. Arrange noodles in serving bowls, generously distribute shredded chicken on top.
11. Ladle piping hot broth over noodles and meat, ensuring even coverage.
12. Embellish with fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, and mint, accompanied by lime wedges, sliced chilies, and condiment options of hoisin and sriracha sauces.

Notes

• Elevate the broth’s complexity by slowly roasting spices before adding to the pot, unlocking deeper, more robust flavors.
• Select fresh, high-quality chicken for a richer, more authentic taste that captures the essence of traditional Vietnamese cooking.
• Adjust seasoning gradually, tasting the broth throughout cooking to balance the delicate interplay of fish sauce, salt, and sugar.
• Customize the soup for dietary needs by using gluten-free fish sauce, replacing chicken with tofu for vegetarians, or adding extra vegetables for a more nutritious version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg