What is Vietnamese Chicken Pho?
An Introduction to Pho
Pho is a traditional Vietnamese street food dish that has become increasingly popular around the world. This soup dish consists of rich aromas, complex flavors, and a blend of rice noodles, herbs, and meats, which together create a tasty and refreshing dish.Pho is more than just a meal, it’s also a cultural experience. The dish is often enjoyed at street food vendors and is the perfect dish for colder weather. The dish has a long history in Vietnam and has been adapted over the years to reflect local style and taste preferences. It’s also a great option for anyone looking for a low calorie and nutritious meal. Chicken pho is a variation of the traditional pho recipe that uses chicken instead of beef or pork. For our recipe today, we will be making a healthy twist on this classic Vietnamese dish: Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho.
Skinnytaste’s version of this dish offers a lighter and healthier option, yet still packs in all of the traditional flavors you would expect from a classic bowl of pho. The key to achieving authentic Vietnamese flavors lies in selecting the right herbs, spices, and aromatics. This recipe incorporates a range of flavors including ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander, which create the ideal balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty. The addition of chicken breast, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms, results in a high-protein, low-fat, and low-carb meal. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy the rich flavors of Vietnamese chicken pho, without the added calories.To make this dish even more delicious, we can further customize by mixing up the ingredients to fit our individual preferences – this will be covered in the next section. The traditional ingredients of the pho dish include beef, rice noodles, broth and spices. In Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, the traditional beef has been switched out for chicken, providing a healthier protein option. The recipe also includes the use of bok choy and shiitake mushrooms, which are more nutritious as a result of the broad range of nutrients they offer.
How to make Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho
Ingredients
To prepare Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, you will need a few ingredients that can be found at any grocery store or Asian market. The main ingredients are chicken breasts, chicken broth, rice noodles, bean sprouts, lime, cilantro, and a variety of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and anise. Alongside these key ingredients, you can also use optional items like jalapeño peppers, scallions, hoisin sauce, or Sriracha sauce, depending on your preferences. Preparing the ingredients is easy, and you can find high-quality ingredients at the store to ensure quality and freshness in your dish.Now that the ingredients have been gathered, it’s time to prepare them for cooking. For the Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, a broth is made by simmering chicken breasts with aromatics such as onions, garlic, ginger, and traditional spices like cinnamon and anise. This dish is further enhanced by cooking the garlic, ginger, and other spices together before adding the broth, creating a fragrant aroma and a depth of flavour in the soup. Finally, the cooked chicken is shredded and added to the soup along with the remaining ingredients for a delicious and healthy meal.
Preparation
To cook the Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, start by preparing the rice noodles according to the package directions. Rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process and set them aside. Next, heat the chicken broth in a pot and bring it to a boil. After adding the shredded chicken, let it simmer for a few minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, add the cooked noodles and fresh vegetables to the broth. Heat for a minute or two to cook the vegetables and then divide the pho into serving bowls. Finally, top the each bowl with a handful of fresh bean sprouts, squeeze some lime on top, and garnish with cilantro. Your delicious Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho is ready to serve!
Cooking Tips
One important tip when cooking Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho is to not overcook the noodles as they will become mushy and will not be as enjoyable to eat. Also, ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before serving to prevent any risks of food poisoning. You can adjust the cooking time depending on personal preference — some people prefer the noodles al dente, while others like them softer. Finally, you can also adjust the amount of broth you use depending on how much soup you like in your bowl.
Options for customizing your Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho
Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Ingredients
When it comes to customizing your Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, you have many options available to create a personalized bowl of soup. One of the most significant differences comes in the ingredients that you choose to use in your broth. While the traditional broth calls for a combination of beef and chicken bones, you can entirely omit beef and only use chicken bones to make your pho. Additionally, non-traditional ingredients can be used to create unique flavor combinations. Some recipes call for shiitake mushrooms, tofu, or even cranberries to add a little twist to the dish.
Vegetarian Options
For those who prefer vegetarian options, vegetable broth or even water can be used instead of chicken broth. In this case, different veggies such as bok choy or enoki mushrooms can be added instead of meat as a protein source. Additionally, tofu is a healthy and protein-packed option to add texture to the broth. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add a little spice to your naked broth by adding chili paste or chili oil. There is no wrong way to customize your Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho!
Spiciness Level
Another way that you can tailor your Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho to your preferences is by controlling the level of spiciness in your broth. While the traditional broth is flavored with aromatic spices such as cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, some variations use peppers, jalapeños or cayenne pepper. You can adjust the heat of your broth to your liking by adding spices or even a drizzle of chili oil to finish it off. Whether you prefer a mild flavor, medium, or hot and spicy, there is a customizable option for you.
Serving and enjoying Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho
Serving sizes
When it comes to serving your piping hot bowl of Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho, size does matter. This dish is usually served in large bowls that can hold up to two servings of soup per bowl, as Vietnamese cuisine is often enjoyed communal-style. If you’re serving the pho at home, you can use oversized bowls or separate the soup into smaller bowls to accommodate individual servings. Make sure to include some of the broth, chicken, and noodles in every serving, so that everyone can enjoy a bit of each flavor in their bowl.
Side dishes, condiments, and drinks
Side dishes, condiments, and drinks are an important part of the pho experience. You can enhance the flavors of the soup by serving it with traditional Vietnamese side dishes, like spring rolls or crispy egg rolls. Condiments such as hoisin sauce, Sriracha, lime wedges, and fresh herbs can be added to taste, providing an extra layer of flavor to the soup. Pairing a glass of iced tea or a beer with your hot bowl of pho is a perfect way to cool your mouth down while filling your belly up. Alternatively, try a cup of Vietnamese coffee to round out the meal.Continuing from Paragraph Two of Section Two: Ready to start cooking? Here’s what you’ll need: Chicken breasts, bones, and carcasses, chicken broth, fish sauce, rice noodles, fresh ginger, onions, whole star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, white peppercorns, cilantro, scallions, bean sprouts, jalapeño, and lime wedges. Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients, as some of the spices might be a little harder to find at your local grocery store. Then, begin by boiling the chicken, removing the scum and adjusting the heat, allowing the chicken to simmer until it is cooked.
Conclusion
When you are ready to serve, prepare a large pot of boiling water and add the rice noodles, stirring occasionally for about 4-5 minutes until they are tender, but still firm to the bite. Drain the noodles and rinse them well under cold water. Then, divide the noodles among the serving bowls and add a few slices of cooked chicken. Ladle the hot broth over the chicken and noodles, making sure each bowl gets plenty of broth. Lastly, it’s time for the finishing touches: garnish the soup with bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice. Add any other condiments or spices, as desired. The soup is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
As an alternative to rice noodles, try using zucchini noodles or spiralized sweet potato noodles to make the dish low-carb and gluten-free. You can also add a variety of seasonal vegetables to this dish, like bok choy or watercress, to give it an extra nutrient boost. As for drinks, for a sweeter drink, try a Vietnamese iced coffee, which is made with condensed milk and coffee. For something a little stronger, try pairing this dish with a cold light lager or a Vietnamese beer, such as Saigon or 333. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, Skinnytaste Vietnamese Chicken Pho is a delicious and satisfying main dish for any occasion.To add some complexity to the soup and make it even more flavorful, try adding a few more spices to the mix. For example, a pinch of black cardamom can add a depth of flavor to the pho broth, while coriander seeds can add a citrusy aroma. Experiment with different herbs and spices to find the perfect balance of flavors that work for you. And don’t forget, the broth can be prepared in advance and frozen, making it the perfect meal prep solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Hello! It’s a pleasure to have you here. My name is Luyen Dang, and I am a devoted fan of Vietnamese cuisine, particularly the beloved noodle soup, pho. Cooking has been a passion of mine since childhood, and I have spent years perfecting my skills in the kitchen, with a particular focus on Vietnamese cooking. As a true aficionado of pho, I have dedicated countless hours to studying its rich history and perfecting its complex flavors. I created this blog as a way to share my love of Vietnamese cuisine. I love PHO.
