Welcome to my Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup recipe! I am thrilled to share with you one of my all-time favorite dishes from my homeland. This dish is known as “pho ga” and is a beloved staple in Vietnamese cuisine. Cooking this dish brings back fond memories of warmth and comfort for me, and I hope it will do the same for you.

Vietnamese cuisine has always been known for its fresh and bold flavors, and this dish is no exception. The combination of fragrant herbs, succulent chicken, and savory broth make this soup an explosion of flavor in every bite.

To make this dish, you’ll need a handful of ingredients that are easily accessible at any local grocery store. But what truly sets this recipe apart from others is the special seasoning that infuses the soup with intense umami flavors that come from fish sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatics.

This Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is not only delicious but also good for your health. It’s low in fat and high in protein and other essential nutrients. You can customize it to fit your taste by adding various toppings like lime wedges, fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, or basil, or even sliced hot red chili peppers if you like spicy food.

So next time you crave a bowl of warm comfort food with complex flavors and fresh ingredients, consider making my Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. Trust me; it’s worth the effort!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Are you in the mood for something hearty, satisfying and healthy? Look no further than Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup! This dish combines tender chicken, flavorful broth and a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables to create a unique and memorable meal that you will surely love.

One of the best things about Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is its versatility. It can be customized to fit your personal taste preferences, with options for added spice and heat. Hot red chili peppers add a wonderful kick while lime wedges provide a refreshing balance. Fresh mint, basil, cilantro, green onions, and bean sprouts each bring their own unique flavor to the mix, creating a harmonious blend that elevates the dish to new heights.

But what really sets this recipe apart is the use of all natural ingredients that are both tasty and nutritious. The soup’s base is made from fat-free chicken broth for a low-fat option that still packs in tons of flavor. Fish sauce adds an authentic Vietnamese flair while garlic, ginger, shallots and star anise give the soup depth and complexity.

In addition to being delicious, Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is also incredibly easy to make. With this recipe’s simple step-by-step instructions, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in no time. So whether you’re looking for a cozy comfort food on a chilly night or want to impress dinner guests with your culinary prowess, give this dish a try—you won’t be disappointed!

Ingredient List

A steaming bowl of Vietnamese chicken noodle soup to warm up your soul.

Let’s get started by gathering all the ingredients we need:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
1 small shallot, halved
2 inches of fresh ginger, sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
3 green onions (white parts only), smashed with the side of a knife
4 quarts water
1 lb rice noodles
Vegetable oil
Fish sauce
Black pepper
A handful of fresh cilantro leaves
A handful of fresh mint leaves
A handful of fresh basil leaves
Some thinly sliced onion, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes to reduce their bite
Hot red chili peppers, sliced
Lime wedges
Mung bean sprouts

The Recipe How-To

This soup is bursting with flavor and hearty enough for a filling meal.

Now that we have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start cooking our Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup. Follow these easy steps to create a savory and delicious soup dish.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

In a pot of boiling water, add 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs and let it reduces heat until chicken is cooked. Once done, take out and rinse with cold water. Cut into thin slices or shred them.

Optional step: For an extra rich flavor, you can rub salt and sugar onto the surface of the chicken a few hours before cooking or overnight.

Step 2: Prepare the Broth

Using the same pot, add 8 cups of fat-free chicken broth along with 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 small shallot, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about an hour.

Next, add 3 sliced green onions, 2-3 pieces of star anise, and 1 tsp of black pepper. Simmer again for another 30 minutes.

Optional: To save time without sacrificing flavor, you can use a pressure cooker instead.

Step 3: Cook Rice Noodles

Prepare a separate pot to cook 8 ounces (225g) of rice noodles according to package instructions until they’re soft but chewy. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Step 4: Assemble the Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup

In each serving bowl or large soup bowl, put some cooked rice noodles on the bottom. Add in some sliced or shredded cooked chicken over the top of rice noodles. Then pour in some hot broth over them.

Garnish with some sliced red chili peppers(or jalapenos), fresh basil, minced cilantro leaves, torn mint leaves, scallions(onion greens) , bean sprouts, and lime wedges on top.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

The Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is ready to serve. This recipe makes 4-6 servings. Simply add your desired toppings to the soup dish and enjoy!

Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to two months. Reheat the soup in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

Watch the noodles absorb the savory broth in this comforting dish.

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit one’s preferences or dietary restrictions. Here are some substitutions and variations that you can try:

– Vegetarian version: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and replace the chicken thighs with firm tofu, sliced mushrooms or seitan. You can also use soy sauce instead of fish sauce for a vegan option.

– Gluten-free version: Use rice noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of wheat noodles. Make sure to check the labels of any processed ingredients such as fish sauce or chicken broth, as some may contain gluten.

– Spicier version: If you love heat, add more hot chili peppers or chili flakes to the soup. You can also toss in a few slices of fresh jalapeno pepper for an extra kick.

– Creamier version: For a creamier soup, add a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking. This will give the broth a wonderful richness and depth of flavor.

– Beef version: Swap out the chicken thighs for thinly sliced beef, beef meatballs or oxtail. You can follow the same recipe as for chicken pho, using star anise, cinnamon and cloves for seasonings.

– Seafood version: Use shrimp or crab meat instead of chicken thighs for a lighter option. Be sure not to overcook seafood otherwise it will become rubbery.

Whether you’re looking to cut down on meat or simply experiment with new flavors, these substitutions and variations can help elevate your Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup game. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try different combinations – happy cooking!

Serving and Pairing

Perfectly cooked chicken adds a boost of protein to this soup.

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup is a delicious and complete meal in itself. However, you can take the taste of your experience to the next level by pairing this savory soup with complementary side dishes, sauces, and drinks.

Some popular side dishes to serve alongside your Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup include spicy pickled vegetables, crispy spring rolls, or fresh summer rolls. These appetizers can add some excitement and variety to your meal while balancing out the flavors and textures of your soup.

If you’re curious about sauces to top off your soup, try Hoisin sauce, Sriracha sauce or chili oil—they are all traditional Vietnamese dipping sauces that add depth and a sweet yet spicy kick to the dish. A sprinkle of lime juice on top is also a nice touch!

When it comes to drinks, Vietnamese iced coffee, Chrysanthemum tea or Coconut water work great. The coffee complements the sweetness in the soup and provides a lovely caffeine boost, while the tea provides a refreshing contrast with subtle floral notes. And nothing screams tropical paradise quite like some refreshing coconut water!

Overall, serving Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup with the right pairings ensures that your meal is balanced and satisfying. With these simple suggestions at hand, you can turn your dining experience into an adventure exploring different combinations of flavors and textures.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

This soup takes minutes to prepare, but the flavors will make it seem like you spent hours.

Vietnamese chicken noodle soup is an excellent make-ahead dish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The flavors only get better with time. This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or can be frozen for up to two months. To reheat, the best option is to cook it on a stovetop over medium heat until hot. Microwaving soup isn’t recommended because it may overcook the noodles, and the texture changes.

If you plan on making this soup ahead of time, there are different options for storing it based on your preferences. You can prepare the broth base ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days. While cooking, leave out the noodles, herbs, bean sprouts and lime wedges as adding these ingredients while reheating them will ensure that they aren’t overcooked or wilted.

If you’re short on time and looking for a more convenient option, Vietnamese chicken noodle soup can also be cooked using a pressure cooker with excellent results. For pressure-cooked soup, you may find that there’s an accumulation of fat at the top due to the chicken skin attached to thighs; just gently remove this layer before reheating.

Whether served in large portions throughout multiple meals or assembled into individual servings that can be reheated later, pho ga is a delicious meal full of flavor and nutrients. So make sure you follow these tips and instructions when storing and reheating leftovers so that each bowl is even tastier than before!

Tips for Perfect Results

Get ready to slurp up every last drop of this delicious soup.

If you’re looking to impress your guests with a delicious Vietnamese chicken noodle soup, then you should pay attention to these tips. After all, cooking is not just about following instructions; it’s about experience, knowledge, and intuition. Let me guide you through some essential tips that will elevate your Vietnamese chicken noodle soup to the next level.

First of all, the key to making a great broth is using quality ingredients. I recommend using fresh boneless skinless chicken thighs and fat-free chicken broth to give your soup a rich flavor without the excess fat. Additionally, don’t skimp on the aromatics; use fresh ginger and garlic to add depth and complexity to the broth.

Another tip for perfect results is to season your broth with fish sauce instead of salt. Fish sauce adds umami flavor that will make your Vietnamese chicken noodle soup taste more authentic. It’s a staple ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine that you never knew you needed.

When it comes to cooking the noodles, don’t overcook them! Rice noodles tend to get mushy quickly, so boil them for no more than 2 minutes before adding them to your soup bowl. Also, remember to rinse the noodles with cold water after boiling them to prevent them from sticking together.

Garnishing your Vietnamese chicken noodle soup is as important as preparing the broth. I always recommend including fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and basil; sliced green onions; and fresh bean sprouts. These ingredients add freshness and texture to your soup and make it look beautiful too.

Lastly, if you have leftovers, remember that the noodles will absorb liquid and become softer over time. To prevent this from happening, store the noodles separately from the broth and add them at serving time. If stored correctly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your Vietnamese chicken noodle soup can last up to 3-4 days.

Follow these tips for perfect results every time you make Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your ingredients and make it your own. Cooking is an art, so let your creativity flow and enjoy the process!

FAQ

Now that you have all the necessary information for this delicious Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe, it’s time to address some commonly asked questions. Here, I’ll provide you with answers and tips to help you perfect your soup-making skills and make the most out of this tasty recipe. So, let’s get started with some frequently asked questions!

What is the traditional noodle soup of Vietnam?

One of the most popular Vietnamese dishes is Pho, a satisfying noodle soup that’s traditionally topped with scrumptious garnishes such as bean sprouts, basil, and chilies.

What is the most famous Vietnamese noodle soup?

Pho Bo, also known simply as Pho, is undoubtedly the most renowned Vietnamese soup among tourists visiting the country. Originally hailing from Nam Dinh province up north, this flavorful dish soon gained popularity in the bustling city of Hanoi.

Is Vietnamese chicken noodle soup healthy?

Pho is a dish that contains healthy, protein-rich ingredients that can potentially provide benefits for joint health and reducing inflammation. It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes as it can be high in sodium and calories. Despite this, incorporating pho into a balanced diet can be a nutritious choice.

Is Vietnamese noodle soup the same as pho?

Two popular noodle soup dishes from Asia are Pho from Vietnam and Ramen from Japan. While Pho originated in northern Vietnam with the introduction of rice noodles by Chinese immigrants and beef brought by French colonists.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup, also known as Pho Ga, is an incredibly delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. This dish offers a unique blend of savory broth and aromatic spices that will leave your taste buds satisfied and craving more.

By following the simple instructions and tips provided in this article, anyone can make a flavorful and authentic Vietnamese noodle soup from within their own kitchens. With its versatile ingredients list and customizable variations, this recipe can cater to any dietary restriction or taste preference.

So the next time you are looking to make a heartwarming soup with a little bit of spice and a whole lot of flavor, give this Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup recipe a try! Not only is it easy to make, but it is sure to impress both you and your guests with its complex flavors and inviting aroma. Enjoy!

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