Description
A fragrant and comforting chicken noodle soup inspired by Vietnamese pho, featuring tender chicken, baby bok choy, and aromatic lemongrass in a savory broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
- 4 slices fresh ginger (1/4-inch thick)
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick (2 inches)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 8 ounces flat rice noodles (bánh pho)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 heads baby bok choy, halved lengthwise
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 fresh red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the broth. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, lemongrass, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Step 2: While broth simmers, cook the rice noodles according to package directions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
- Step 3: Add chicken breasts to the simmering broth. Poach for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken, let cool slightly, then shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 4: Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the aromatics. Return broth to pot and stir in fish sauce and brown sugar. Keep warm over low heat.
- Step 5: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Blanch baby bok choy halves for 1 minute, then drain and plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain again.
- Step 6: To serve, divide cooked noodles among 4 large bowls. Top with shredded chicken and blanched bok choy. Ladle hot broth over the top.
- Step 7: Garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro, Thai basil, green onions, and sliced chili if desired. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
For a richer broth, char the ginger and lemongrass over an open flame before adding to the pot. Substitute chicken thighs if preferred. Adjust fish sauce to taste.
Nutrition
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 32g