Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup
A fragrant and soothing chicken soup inspired by traditional Vietnamese pho, featuring aromatic spices and fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs chicken thighs bone-in, large onion, inch piece ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 4 pieces chicken thighs bone-in
- 1 large onion
- 3-inch piece ginger
- 3 whole star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 3 sliced scallions
- 1 sliced (optional) jalapeño
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 1 large onion cut in half and a 3-inch piece of ginger under a broiler or on a dry skillet until blackened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large pot, add 8 cups chicken broth, 4 bone-in chicken thighs, charred onion and ginger, 3 whole star anise, 4 whole cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove chicken thighs and let cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding bones and skin. Strain the broth to remove solids and return the clear broth to the pot.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce and adjust seasoning to taste. Keep broth hot.
- Step 5: Prepare 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions, then divide into bowls.
- Step 6: Top noodles with shredded chicken, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 sliced scallions, and sliced jalapeño if using.
- Step 7: Ladle hot broth over the bowls and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Soup?
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 chicken thighs bone-in from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup?
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 Soup 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 Soup?
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.
