Chicken Pho
Chicken Pho is a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup featuring tender chicken in a fragrant broth with herbs and spices. It's perfect for a comforting meal any time of day.
Prep
20 minutes
Cook
40 minutes
Level
Medium
Serves
4
Plan and shop
Save this recipe for real-life cooking
Build a local shopping list or place this recipe into a weekly meal plan. No account is required.
Illustrated cooking guide
Step-by-step visual method
A polished English infographic for the whole cooking flow, paired with the full written recipe below for detail and SEO.
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot, place the whole chicken and add 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- 2
Once boiling, add the halved onion, sliced ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- 3
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool. Strain the broth to remove the spices and onion pieces, then return the clear broth to the pot.
- 4
Add fish sauce and sugar to the broth, and let it simmer while you prepare the noodles and garnish.
- 5
Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- 6
Once the chicken has cooled, shred the meat off the bones, discarding the skin and bones.
- 7
To serve, divide the rice noodles into bowls, add the shredded chicken on top, and ladle the hot broth over the noodles and chicken.
- 8
Garnish with fresh basil leaves, cilantro, chopped green onions, and lime wedges. Add sliced chili peppers for extra heat, if desired.
- 9
Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips
For a richer broth, simmer longer or add more spices to taste.
Ensure to use fresh herbs for the best flavor in your pho.
Cook smarter
Helpful notes
Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.
Storage Tips
- Store the broth and noodles separately to maintain texture.
- Reheat the broth gently on the stove before serving.
Substitutions
- Substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Lime juice can be replaced with lemon juice if needed.
What to Serve With
- Fresh lime wedges
- Extra herbs for garnishing
Common Mistakes
- Not simmering the broth long enough for full flavor.
- Overcooking the rice noodles can make them mushy.
Recipe FAQ
What type of chicken should I use for Pho?
A whole chicken is ideal as it provides the best flavor for the broth.
Can I make Chicken Pho ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the broth and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Just reheat before serving.
How do I store leftover Pho?
Store the broth and noodles separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Kitchen tools
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
A light, editable placeholder for future partner recommendations. No real affiliate links are enabled yet.
Rice cooker
Good for steady rice, grains, and meal-prep bowls.
Blender
Helpful for smooth sauces, soups, marinades, and purees.
Saucepan
Useful for simmering sauces, soups, grains, and small-batch stews.
Chef knife
A basic prep tool for vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and proteins.
Cutting board
Keeps prep organized for chopping, slicing, and staging ingredients.
Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate or partner, we may earn from qualifying purchases when enabled. Read the Affiliate Disclosure.
Cook along weekly
Want more illustrated recipes like Chicken Pho?
Join the World Recipe Letter for global home-cooking ideas and visual recipe guides.
Join the World Recipe Letter
Get 5 illustrated recipes every week.
No account needed. Unsubscribe when email delivery is connected.
Keep cooking
Related recipes
More flavors from the same country or nearby pantry style.
Banh Mi Bowl
A rice bowl inspired by banh mi with pork, pickled vegetables, cucumber, herbs, and spicy mayo.
Lemongrass Chicken Rice Bowl
Juicy lemongrass chicken over rice with quick pickles, cucumber, herbs, and a bright fish sauce dressing.