Instant Pot Chicken Pho

The magic of chicken pho is that the broth looks completely unassuming but it is full of delicate infused spices! Fourteen minutes in my Instant Pot quickly satisfies my pho cravings and takes me back to Vietnam.

Do you ever crave a warm bowl of noodle soup? I do! It nourishes my soul and provides comfort to my mind. Try this Instant Pot Chicken Pho recipe out. It is so easy to make!

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What is Chicken Pho?

Chicken Pho (pho ga) is the chicken version of beef pho – Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup. If you have never made pho, this recipe is ideal for learning the basics. Some cooks flavour the chicken pho with the same spices as beef pho, but I use fewer ingredients and include coriander seeds and cilantro to distinguish the two. I promise you that the clear broth is just as tasty! Assembling the steamy hot, delicious bowls is so comforting!

Here’s Why You Will Love Instant Pot Chicken Pho

• Simple: You can make this tasty meal right in your own kitchen with just a few spices.
• Delicious: The comforting hot bowl of chicken pho is so flavourful and great for the cold season.
• Great for meal prepping: You can make this broth ahead of time, reheat it and ladle it over noodles when you are ready to eat.

Equipment and Tools to Make Instant Pot Chicken Pho

Instant Pot: To pressure cook the chicken pho broth

Cutting board and knife: To slice the cilantro and green onions

Fat separator: To spoon off the fat from the chicken broth after cooking

Measuring spoons and cups: To measure seasonings and other ingredients

Ingredients

• Chicken: I use a whole chicken. Some members of my family like the dark meat and some like the white meat. You can also substitute for chicken thighs or legs.
• Spices: whole coriander, cloves and cinnamon infuse the broth with amazing flavour and give the distinct pho fragrance anyone can recognize!
• Onion and ginger: aromatics that are a must in every pho broth
• Fish sauce: this gives the pho a complex umami flavour as well as salt in the broth
• Apple: you might be surprised at this ingredient but this adds sweetness to the meal
• Herbs/Garnish: fresh herbs are a must! Thai basil, mint, cilantro and green onions brings freshness to the pho. Don’t worry if you can’t get all the herbs. A squeeze of lime juice just before eating is highly recommended.

Instant Pot Chicken Pho Options and Substitutions

• Use whole chicken or chicken legs/thighs. Drumsticks are okay too! You have the option to debone all the chicken once it is cool enough to handle or serve bone in pieces.
• Thai basil, mint, cilantro and green onions brings freshness to the pho. Don’t worry if you can’t get all the herbs and garnishes. Thinly sliced onions will add a nice depth of flavour to the broth.
• Use any thickness of pho noodles. Some are wider than others.
• LIke spicy? Serve with Thai chili pepper.
• You can use any electric pressure cooker if you do not have an Instant Pot.
• Want to make it stove top? You will want to toast the spices in a pan until fragrant and char the ginger and onion (can be done in a pan or broiled in oven until dark). Simmer everything but the fish sauce gently for 1.5 hours. Remove chicken, aromatics, apple and cilantro, then add fish sauce and adjust flavours as needed.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Pho

Let’s make this dish!

Prepare the chicken. Rinse chicken under cool water. Sprinkle 1 tbsp kosher salt on the exterior and interior of chicken. Rub to clean and exfoliate chicken. Rinse off all salt. Remove and discard any loose pieces of fat. Carefully place the chicken in a large bowl, breast side up. Sprinkle remaining 2 tbsp of kosher salt and fish sauce over chicken. (Optional: Refrigerate and allow marinate for 2 hours.)

Brown the aromatics. Press saute button on the Instant pot and toast coriander seeds, cloves and cinnamon sticks for several minutes. Remove and put into spice infuser. Throw in onion and ginger and stir until aromatic. Add chicken, cilantro and apple to pot. Top with fresh water.

Cook the broth. Press Cancel/Keep Warm button, lock the lid in place and turn valve to seal position. Set Instant Pot to Soup function, high pressure, 14 minutes. When done, turn off Instant Pot and quick release by turning valve to vent position.

Finish the broth and chicken. Remove lid and take out cilantro, apple, spice infuser, onion and ginger. Carefully remove chicken to a large bowl. Add cold water to cover chicken to prevent it from drying and to cool. Skim fat from the broth. Taste and adjust the broth as needed with fish sauce or extra salt. Cut or shred the chicken into bite sized pieces. Discard skin if you want.

Assemble the dish. Cook noodles according to manufacturer’s direction and drain. Place noodles in bowl. Top each bowl with chicken and ladle in hot soup. Place bean sprouts in and shower with herbs. Squeeze on fresh lime juice. Serve immediately.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate the chicken pho broth and chicken pieces for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months. Heat in a pot until it boils. It is best to prepare the noodles fresh, along with the bean sprouts and herbs.

Make Ahead Options

You can make the broth ahead of time and leave it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then, ladle the hot broth and spoon the chicken pieces over the noodles when you are ready to eat.

Recipe Tips

You want the broth on the salty side. The saltiness dilutes slightly once you ladle over the noodles and bean sprouts. The broth may taste perfect out of the Instant Pot but will seem under seasoned once served. You can always adjust as needed.

Prepare noodles just before serving as they tend to stick and break.

Squeeze hoisin and sriracha onto a small sauce dish. Use this to dip your chicken.

Mix up lime juice in the broth with your chopsticks.

Serve it piping hot! Make sure the noodles are warm before you ladle the hot broth. Otherwise the entire bowl will be cool and you don’t want that!

Use your chopsticks to pick up some noodles, chicken, bean sprouts and herbs along with a spoonful of broth for the perfect bite!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce pho? Phở or pho is pronounced “fuh”, not “foe”.

Is pho healthy? The dish itself offers high protein content. However, it can be high in calories and sodium so portion control is important.

What does chicken pho taste like? The clear broth is full of delicate infused spices of cinnamon, cloves and coriander. The soup tastes fresh thanks to the addition of herbs and lime juice just before eating.

What is typically in pho? Vietnamese pho consists of broth, rice noodles and meat. You serve the steamy hot bowls with bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lime wedges and chilli peppers. Hoisin sauce and Sriracha are condiments that typically go with the dish.

What exactly does an Instant Pot do? The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker than has many functions such as slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer and more!

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Lastly, if you make my Instant Pot Chicken Pho be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on Facebook and Pinterest.