Vietnamese Pho Ga Chicken Recipes

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN PHO SOUP (PHO GA)

Steps:

• Char onion & ginger - Heat oil in a 6 litre / 6 quart pot (Note 5) over high heat. Place ginger and onion facedown, leave undisturbed for 2 minutes until they blacken. Turn and leave for another 2 minutes.
• Put everything in pot - Add water and remaining Broth ingredients EXCEPT salt. Bring it a simmer, then lower heat so it's simmering VERY gently with the lid on, but open a crack (Note 6).
• Simmer gently 1.5 hours. Scoop off scum (dirty foam) that rises to surface once or twice during the simmering.
• Strain & measure - Remove chicken, then strain broth into a clean pot - you should have 1.5 litres / 1.5 quarts. If you have more, simmer to reduce. If less, top it up with water.
• Salt broth - Add salt, bring broth to a gentle simmer. Broth should be slightly on the salty side - it dilutes when you add the noodles.
• Keep broth warm until ready to serve
• Shred chicken meat, discard bones and skin. (Note 6 Leftover Chicken ideas)
• Place Toppings out on the table.
• Reheat chicken (can briefly dunk in broth!).
• Prepare noodles per packet directions, just prior to serving. Drain very well (excess water dilutes broth).
• Place noodle in bowls. Top with chicken, ladle over 375ml / 1.5 cups broth. Sprinkle with green onion.
• Pile on Toppings of choice, add a squeeze of lime into the broth. Consume immediately!

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut the hen into 8 pieces and discard any excess fat. Rinse chicken bones and necks with cold water and place in a stockpot. Add the water and ginger and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 3 hours; do not allow the liquid to boil to ensure a clear broth.
• Remove and discard the hen and bones. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or chinois lined with cheesecloth. Return the broth to a large soup pot and continue to simmer until reduced to a volume of 2 1/2 or 3 quarts. Season with salt, to taste, and keep hot while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare the rice vermicelli according to package directions. Once done, transfer to a colander and drain well. Rinse well under cold running water. Drain thoroughly before using. (The noodles may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead of serving.)
• When ready to serve the soup, for each serving ladle 2 cups of the hot broth into a large soup bowl. Quickly dip the cooked noodles in the remaining hot broth to rewarm, then place a handful of noodles in each bowl. Divide the sliced chicken breast between the bowls, laying the slices over the top of the noodles. Serve the soup immediately, with the fresh cilantro, basil, mint, bean sprouts, lime wedges and jalapeno peppers in baskets on the table for each person to garnish their own soup, as desired. Add chili sauce or fish sauce, to taste, if desired.

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• In a heavy large pot over high heat add onions, cut end down, and 2 ginger halves. Allow to blacken. Add peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Then add the chicken and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once water comes to a boil, add the fish sauce, allow to boil for 1 minute more then reduce the heat to low.
• Simmer, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked, 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook the chicken as it will be cooked further upon service.
• Remove chicken from broth and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle safely, remove the meat from the bones, shred coarsely and set aside. Discard the bones. Strain the broth into a second pot and discard the solids.
• Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles in a large bowl of cold water for 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until they are almost done, al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to remove excess starch. Drain well.
• In large bowls, serve the noodles over a bed of fresh ginger, bean sprouts, Thai basil, fresh mint, cilantro, basil, and fresh lime juice. Top with pulled chicken. Lastly, ladle the hot broth over top and serve.