Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

By simmering skinless chicken breast with charred aromatic spices and serving over moderate rice noodles, this light Vietnamese staple delivers exceptionally high protein with minimal fat.

Ingredients

Calories next to each ingredient are for that ingredient across the whole recipe (4 servings), not per serving.

• 700 g (25 oz) chicken breast, skinless and boneless · 784 kcal in the whole recipe
• 180 g (6.3 oz) dry pho rice noodles · 655 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 large yellow onion (150 g / 5.3 oz), halved · 60 kcal in the whole recipe
• 30 g (1 oz) fresh ginger, halved lengthways · 24 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tbsp (36 g) fish sauce · 13 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp (12 g) brown sugar · 46 kcal in the whole recipe
• 150 g (5.3 oz) fresh bean sprouts · 45 kcal in the whole recipe
• 30 g (1 oz) fresh Thai basil · 7 kcal in the whole recipe
• 30 g (1 oz) fresh cilantro · 7 kcal in the whole recipe
• 40 g (1.4 oz) green onion, thinly sliced · 13 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 limes (120 g / 4.2 oz), cut into wedges · 36 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 2.5 liters water

Method

1. Char the halved onion and ginger in a dry skillet over high heat until blackened on surfaces; lightly toast the star anise, cinnamon stick, and cloves for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

   

2. In a large pot, combine water, charred onion, ginger, toasted spices, chicken breast, brown sugar, and salt; bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked.

   

3. Remove the chicken breast, let cool slightly, and shred into bite-sized pieces; strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve back into the pot and stir in the fish sauce.

   

4. Cook the dry rice noodles in boiling water for 3-5 minutes according to package directions and drain; divide among 4 bowls and top with shredded chicken, bean sprouts, green onion, basil, and cilantro.

   

5. Ladle the piping hot broth over each bowl and serve immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side.

   

A Besly kitchen recipe — portions, macros and step photos by Besly.