Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A clear, aromatic broth simmered with star anise and cinnamon, featuring tender chicken and fresh herbs, served over rice noodles for a comforting bowl of Vietnamese comfort. This asian-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs (680g) chicken thighs bone-in skin-on, large, quartered onion, inches, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 70 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large stockpot, combine 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, 1 quartered onion, 3 inches ginger, 2 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 smashed garlic cloves with 8 cups water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, skimming foam for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Remove chicken, shred meat (discard bones/skin), and return to pot.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp sugar to the broth, stirring until dissolved. Simmer 10 more minutes.
  4. Step 4: Boil salted water in a separate pot, add 8 oz rice noodles, and cook 3-4 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  5. Step 5: Divide noodles among bowls, ladle hot broth over noodles, top with shredded chicken, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup mint, and 1/4 cup basil. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (20 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, quartered onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Herb-Infused Chicken Pho with Fragrant Broth?

Asian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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