Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, light chicken broth simmered with star anise and spices, served with tender shredded chicken and fresh herbs for a soothing Vietnamese-inspired soup. This vietnamese-inspired chicken ready in about 130 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, large yellow onion, halved, inch piece fresh ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 110 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Char 1 large halved yellow onion and 3-inch sliced ginger directly over an open flame or under the broiler until blackened on the edges, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 4 bone-in chicken thighs, charred onion, ginger, 4 whole star anise, 5 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp salt, and 12 cups cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 1.5 hours, skimming any foam off the surface every 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken thighs to a bowl and let cool. Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot and discard solids.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar to the broth, stirring until dissolved. Adjust seasoning with salt or fish sauce to taste.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions, drain and divide among 4 bowls.
  6. Step 6: Shred the cooled chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place on top of the noodles. Ladle hot broth over the chicken and noodles.
  7. Step 7: Garnish each bowl with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 3 sliced scallions, fresh red chili slices, and lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

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 yellow onion, halved from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Chicken Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

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 Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs 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 Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

Vietnamese chicken 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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