Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant chicken noodle soup with aromatic spices and fresh herbs inspired by classic Vietnamese pho. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, water, large, halved onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 340 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large stockpot with 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim foam off surface, then add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 45 minutes to develop a fragrant broth.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken thighs and strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Discard solids. Shred the chicken meat, discarding skin and bones.
  4. Step 4: Stir 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar into the broth, adjusting seasoning to balance savory and sweetness.
  5. Step 5: Cook 8 oz thin rice noodles according to package instructions (usually soaking in hot water for 5-7 minutes), then drain.
  6. Step 6: Divide noodles among bowls and top with shredded chicken. Ladle hot broth over the noodles and chicken.
  7. Step 7: Garnish each bowl with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 3 thinly sliced scallions, and lime wedges on the side. Add jalapeño slices if desired for heat.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle 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 Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle 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 water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle 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 Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle 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 Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Noodle 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.

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