As I’ve mentioned in my Healthier Fried Chicken post, I was born and raised in Two Bridges, a neighborhood nestled in the Lower East Side (LES) of Manhattan, New York. During the early 90’s, I recall my mother taking my sister and I to this Vietnamese restaurant on Pike Street that could have potentially been 1 out of a just a handful of Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown/LES, at the time. I grew to like pho because of my mom, when it was less popular. Today, there are innumerable Vietnamese restaurants globally, and probably just as many pho puns going around 😄, several being:
- Phogettaboutit!
- I’m crazy pho you.
- Beef pho and after…
- Are you pho’real?
How funny are they?? While the term pho is mostly associated with beef pho, one of my all-time favorite items to order off of Pho Bang’s menu, there is a pho that is under-appreciated, but equally delicious: Pho Ga, or Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. I have never ordered Pho Ga from a restaurant, because the times that I have tasted a sample of Pho Ga broth from Steve’s bowl, it was rather bland. However, thanks to this recipe from Epicurious, I made my first homemade Pho Ga several years ago, with the help of my beloved Instant Pot, and fell in love with it!! Over the years, I have tweaked this recipe to meet my family and my own preferences. This bowl of goodness is now a staple in our household 🥰 and my LO loves, and I mean LOVES it!!
If you’ve tried and enjoyed my recipe, please don’t pho-get to leave a comment, tag me @rackoflam on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel! Pho-shizzle my nizzle!!
Instant Pot Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup) Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 onions halved or cut into 3 chunks
- 1 thumb of ginger smashed
- 4 cloves
- 3-4 lb whole chicken ideally free range
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 6 cups water (See Note 3)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 3 servings rice noodles
SPICES (See Note 2)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 star anise
- 1 tbsp coriander
OPTIONAL ACCOMPANIMENTS/SAUCES
- Scallions
- Lime wedges
- Basil leaves
- Bean sprouts
- Jalapenos
- Sriracha
- Hoisin Sauce
Instructions
- Select the saute function to preheat your Instant Pot and wait until the "hot" indicator turns on.
- Pour the oil into the pot and swirl to coat evenly.
- Place the onions, ginger and garlic into the pot and allow the onions to char for 4-5 minutes each side.
- Move the ingredients aside to make room for the chicken. Place the chicken into the pot and sear each side until slightly brown (optional). Please also refer to Note 1.
- Add the fish sauce, water and sugar (See Note 3).
- Place the cinnamon stick, star anise and coriander into a spice bag. Tie the spice bag to ensure spices do not get loose, then place the bag into the pot (See Note 2).
- Close the lid and turn the steam valve into sealing position.
- Cancel the saute function and select pressure cook, at high pressure, for 30 minutes.
- While the Instant Pot is preparing the broth, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions and place them into 3 bowls. If you plan to use any optional accompaniments, this is also a good time to wash/prepare them.
- When the broth is ready, unplug the Instant Pot and allow it to naturally release the pressure, or do a quick release. Please ensure that the float valve is completely down before you open the lid.
- Allow the chicken to cool and atop your noodles with your cut of choice. Serve the noodles and chicken in the broth, with optional accompaniments. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I’ve handled the chicken in 2 ways:
- I parboil it to rid the chicken of its impurities, then place the parboiled chicken into the Instant Pot, searing both sides for added flavors.
- I place the raw chicken directly into the pot, also slightly searing both sides. I opt for this method when the chicken is organic or previously cleaned by the market (giblets removed).
- I’ve handled the spices in 2 ways:
- I place the spices into a spice bag/tea bag, then place the bag into the pot after all the ingredients are in.
- I place the spices directly into the pot after charring the onions and before entry of the chicken. I remove them from the broth with a sieve or strainer before serving.
- If you’re using a 3lb chicken like I normally do, 6 cups of water should suffice. You may add a total of 7 cups for a slightly more diluted, but still delicious soup. If you’re using a heavier chicken (4-5lbs), I would suggest pouring an additional 1-2 cups of water and adjusting the other ingredients to taste.
INGREDIENTS USED/RECOMMENDED:
- Florida Crystals Natural Cane Sugar – https://amzn.to/2WZK6tq
- Three Crabs Fish Sauce – https://amzn.to/2X5nacc
- Star Anise – https://amzn.to/39rF4wS
- Coriander Seeds – https://amzn.to/3pyddR9
- Cinnamon Sticks – https://amzn.to/3cvtQJs
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS USED:
- Instant Pot – https://amzn.to/383TDGg
- Disposable Tea Filter Bags – https://amzn.to/3owbVG5
- OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs – https://amzn.to/3occmVy
- Gorilla Cutting Boards – https://amzn.to/2KSyG8p
I made this for my family and everyone (including myself) thought it was the best pho I have ever made. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe. I might make it again this week!
Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I am so glad your family enjoyed it 🥰
This pho looks so delicious and so simple to make! A perfect soup for cooler weather.
This looks so tasty! This will be a great recipe to try in the instant pot!! Thanks for sharing!
I’m finally getting into the Instant Pot and love a good pho. Can’t wait to make this recipe!! It sounds simple and delicious.
I have heard a lot about Pho and will love to try it. Maybe when I go to a metro city I will get to taste it. But tell me are there any vegetarian options to the soup. Let me check thanks for the nudge. 😀
I could totally go for a bowl of this right now. I have everything but the star anise… do you think it will still work? I also only have dark meat chicken over white mean… I’m going to try anyways but thought id ask
I’m a HUGE fan of pho ga and have spent more money than I care to admit on buying it from a local restaurant, but now that I know how to make it at home, this is a whole new world!
Doing this with an instant pot makes it so easy. I love the flavours.