Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger
A fragrant chicken noodle soup infused with star anise, ginger, and traditional Vietnamese spices, served with tender rice noodles. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, dried flat rice noodles (banh pho), large onion, halved and charred for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 8 oz dried flat rice noodles (banh pho)
- 1 large onion, halved and charred
- 3-inch piece ginger root, sliced and charred
- 3 star anise pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- to taste sriracha sauce
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger under a broiler or over an open flame until blackened, about 5 minutes each side, then rinse lightly.
- Step 2: In a large pot, add 1 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, charred onion, charred ginger, 3 star anise pods, 4 cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. Cover with 10 cups water and bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, skimming foam occasionally for a clear broth.
- Step 4: Remove chicken and strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into another pot. Discard solids.
- Step 5: Season broth with 4 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp white pepper. Keep warm on low heat.
- Step 6: Cook 8 oz dried flat rice noodles according to package instructions until tender, then drain and divide into 4 serving bowls.
- Step 7: Remove skin and bones from chicken thighs, thinly slice the meat, and distribute over noodles.
- Step 8: Ladle hot broth over noodles and chicken. Garnish with 3 thinly sliced scallions, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 cup bean sprouts, and 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves.
- Step 9: Serve with 4 lime wedges and sriracha sauce on the side for squeezing and drizzling.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
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 star anise pods from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
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 Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger 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 Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
Vietnamese 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.
