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Slow Cooker Vietnamese Chicken Pho

Slow Cooker Vietnamese Chicken Pho

The ultimate comfort food, Slow Cooker Vietnamese Chicken Pho is a delightful blend of aromatic spices and tender chicken. This easy weeknight dinner fills your home with heavenly scents and offers a warm, nourishing bowl of goodness. Perfect for warming up any chilly evening!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds chicken bones
  • 1/2 whole onion
  • 3 inch fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems only tied with twine
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or rock sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1.5 pounds chicken meat (breast or thigh)
  • 1.5 pounds dried rice noodles (about 1/4" wide)
  • 1 green onion, green tops only sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 cups fresh bean sprouts
  • 1/2 cup very thinly sliced onions (red onion or yellow onion)
  • 1-2 whole jalapeƱo or serrano chiles, sliced
  • 1 lime in wedges
  • to taste none Sriracha hot sauce
  • to taste none Hoisin sauce

Equipment

  • Chef's Knife
  • Slow Cooker

Method
 

  1. To the slow cooker, add the chicken bones, onion, ginger, coriander seeds, cloves, star anise, sugar, fish sauce, and cilantro stems. Fill with water to the max level of your slow cooker. Turn slow cooker to high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
  2. Remove all chicken and cilantro stems, strain broth through cheesecloth. Taste and adjust with additional fish sauce and sugar if needed.
  3. Soak rice noodles in cool water for 5 minutes. Drain.
  4. In the meantime, bring a big pot of water to a boil. Add the chicken slices and let cook for 1-3 minutes or until cooked through.
  5. Remove the chicken slices. Next, add the rice noodles to the water and cook for 1 minute. Remove noodles and divide amongst 4 serving bowls.
  6. Fill each bowl with chicken slices, bean sprouts, cilantro leaves, red onions and broth. Serve with lime, Sriracha, and hoisin at table as condiments.

Notes

  • Tip 1: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen the longer it sits!
  • Tip 2: You can freeze the broth for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
  • Tip 3: Serve with a side of fresh spring rolls for a complete Vietnamese meal experience.
  • Tip 4: Consider using Thai basil or mint for an extra layer of flavor in your pho.
  • Tip 5: If you prefer a richer broth, you can add more bones or simmer the broth longer.
  • Tip 6: Make sure to rinse the noodles after soaking to remove excess starch, which can make them sticky.