Plunge into a bowl of quick chicken pho, a soul-soothing delight ready in just 20 minutes. Beyond its rapid preparation, it offers a vibrant array of flavors that joyfully tango with each taste bud. A unique culinary treat beckons.
For the lovers of Vietnamese cuisine, beef variants like beef brisket, tenderly shaved beef, meatballs, and even tripe might be familiar sights. However, a soul-soothing chicken pho variant also claims its own spotlight on many a menu.
Here’s the beauty of chicken noodle soups: you can bypass hours of stock preparation. While beef stock, especially the store-bought variety, might not always align with Asian culinary expectations, chicken stocks offer a plethora of high-grade options. With a few added spices and seasonings, these can be turned into culinary gold.
In this dish, the aroma of ginger melds with the fiery punch of chilies, the savory depth of fish sauce, and the subtle sweetness of sugar. Add to this the allure of al dente noodles, chicken slices kissed by the sear of a hot pan, and fresh garnishes. The result? A Chicken Pho masterpiece in a mere 20 minutes!
So, if you’ve been eyeing an authentic pho experience without a hefty restaurant bill or aren’t yet ready to tackle the elaborate 6-hour version, here’s your shortcut to glory!
Essential Components
- 8 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 aromatic ginger slices
- 2 fiery red chilies, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons of savory fish sauce
- A tablespoon of sugar for balance
- 2 tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, finely sliced
- Season with salt and pepper for perfection
- 2 tablespoons of sizzling oil
- 12 ounces of dried pho noodles
- Crisp toppings: 1 cup of bean sprouts, 2/3 cup each of zesty mint, cilantro, and Thai basil
- Zesty lime wedges for a splash of citrus!
Culinary Steps to Delight
- Commence by boiling water for the noodles and separately, let the chicken broth bubble with ginger, chilies, fish sauce, and sugar for a rich infusion. Allow it to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Concurrently, sprinkle the chicken with your seasonings, sear them in a skillet with hot oil, and then let them rest.
- As the aroma fills your kitchen, cook the noodles as per their package’s guidance. Portion them into four welcoming bowls, pour over the infused broth, place the chicken slices, and dress with the crisp garnishes.
- Complete this feast with a squeeze of zesty lime and an optional extra dash of fish sauce.
Did You Know?
Embracing a bowl of pho isn’t just a culinary journey; it’s a healthful choice. The combination of ginger and chili is known to boost immunity, while fresh herbs bring a host of vitamins and antioxidants to the table. This dish is not only a melody of flavors but also a symphony of nutrients for your body!