Instant Pot Chicken Pho: A Quick Taste of Vietnam
Remember that vibrant street food stall in Hanoi? The fragrant steam rising, carrying promises of warmth and comfort? Richard and I spent years collecting such moments, tasting our way across continents. Now, we bring that magic home. This Instant Pot Chicken Pho recipe is our shortcut to those cherished memories. It’s a speedy, yet deeply flavorful, bowl of Vietnamese comfort. We’ve bottled that feeling of adventure for your weeknights. Enjoy this quick homemade pho.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Chicken Pho
- It’s incredibly fast.
- It’s wonderfully easy to make.
- The flavor is surprisingly authentic.
- It’s the ultimate comfort food.
- Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese soup anytime.
Our Journey to Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Richard has an amazing memory for tastes. He’ll say, “Eleanor, that pho in Hoi An had a subtle sweet note and a hint of anise.” My job is to capture that. For years, we’d try to recreate those global flavors in our kitchen. When we discovered how to make chicken pho in the Instant Pot, it was a revelation. It meant we could have that taste of Vietnam, that delicious memory, so much faster. This quick pho recipe became a fast favorite.
The Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a delicious bowl of homemade pho. For our quick Instant Pot Chicken Pho, we’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- A 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
- 4 whole star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 8 ounces dried pho noodles
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Bean sprouts, for serving
Don’t worry if some ingredients seem unusual; they are key to that authentic Vietnamese soup flavor. The star anise and cinnamon stick are particularly important for the broth’s signature aroma.
How to Prepare Instant Pot Chicken Pho: Step-by-Step
Let’s get cooking! Making this quick homemade pho in your Instant Pot is simpler than you think. Follow these steps for a truly satisfying Vietnamese soup experience.
Browning the Chicken and Aromatics
First, heat the olive oil in your Instant Pot using the Sauté function. Add your chicken pieces and give them a quick sear on all sides. We’re not looking for a deep crust here, just a light browning. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside for a moment.
Building the Flavorful Broth for Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Now, toss the quartered onion, sliced ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns into the pot. Stir them around for about a minute until they smell wonderful. Pour in the chicken broth. Be sure to scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot – that’s pure flavor!
Pressure Cooking and Releasing for Quick Pho
Put the browned chicken back into the pot. Add the fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Secure the lid, making sure the steam release valve is set to ‘sealing’. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. Once it’s done, carefully do a Quick Release of the pressure. Be cautious of the hot steam!
Finishing Touches for Your Homemade Pho
Gently remove the lid. Take out the chicken and shred it using two forks. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or pot, tossing away the solids. Put the shredded chicken back into the strained broth. Keep this delicious liquid warm. Cook your pho noodles separately according to their package. Drain them well.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken Pho
To make your quick homemade pho truly sing, a few little tricks go a long way. Don’t skimp on the aromatics; they are the soul of this Vietnamese soup. Charring the onion and ginger before they go into the pot, as mentioned in our notes, adds an incredible depth. Taste your broth before serving and adjust the fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Everyone’s palate is different! If you want it spicier, a few sliced jalapeños are a fantastic addition. This easy chicken pho is so forgiving, so feel free to play with it.
Serving Your Delicious Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Now for the best part: assembling your beautiful bowls of quick homemade pho! Divide the cooked noodles among your serving bowls. Ladle the hot, fragrant broth and tender shredded chicken over the noodles. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro, fragrant basil leaves, and thinly sliced red onion. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing and a side of crisp bean sprouts. Enjoy this taste of Vietnam!
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Got questions about whipping up this quick homemade pho? We’ve got answers!
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs offer great flavor and tenderness, you can certainly use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just be mindful that they might cook a bit faster and can become dry if overcooked. You could also add them later in the cooking process.
How do I make the broth spicier?
For a fiery kick in your Vietnamese soup, add a sliced jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the aromatics in step 2. You can also serve sliced fresh chilies on the side for people to add as they please. A swirl of sriracha or chili garlic sauce at the end is another great option.
What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
No worries! You can make this chicken pho on the stovetop. Brown the chicken and sauté the aromatics in a large pot. Add the broth and spices, then simmer gently for at least 30-45 minutes to let the flavors meld. You’ll skip the pressure cooking step entirely.
How long does this homemade pho last?
Leftover Instant Pot Chicken Pho can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles are best cooked fresh, so you might want to store the broth and chicken separately and cook noodles just before serving leftovers. Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Understanding the Nutrition of Your Instant Pot Chicken Pho
Please note that the nutritional information provided for this quick homemade pho is an estimate. Actual values can vary based on the specific ingredients, brands you use, and the exact portion sizes served. This easy chicken pho recipe offers a comforting Vietnamese soup experience, and we encourage you to enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
PrintInstant Pot Chicken Pho: 10-Minute Vietnamese Comfort
Create a delicious and authentic Chicken Pho in your Instant Pot. This recipe brings the comforting flavors of Vietnam to your table quickly and easily. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it captures the essence of our travels and memories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, sliced
- 4 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 8 oz dried pho noodles
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Bean sprouts, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on the Sauté setting. Add chicken and brown lightly on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add the quartered onion, sliced ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns to the Instant Pot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add fish sauce, sugar, and salt.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, perform a Quick Release of the pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid. Remove the chicken and shred it.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or bowl, discarding the solids. Return the shredded chicken to the broth. Keep warm.
- Cook the pho noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
- To serve, divide the cooked noodles among bowls. Ladle the hot broth and chicken over the noodles.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, basil, sliced red onion, and serve with lime wedges and bean sprouts on the side.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, you can char the onion and ginger under the broiler before adding them to the pot.
- Adjust the fish sauce, sugar, and salt to your preference.
- Feel free to add other desired toppings like sliced jalapeños or hoisin sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl