Go Back
Homemade Instant Pot Vietnamese Chicken Pho recipe photo

Instant Pot Vietnamese Chicken Pho

A fragrant, easy Instant Pot version of Vietnamese chicken pho with a clear spiced broth and fresh herbs.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken either a whole chicken or bone-in parts (breast or thigh)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 2 teaspoons whole coriander seeds not ground
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 2 inch ginger peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 medium onion halved
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 package dried rice noodles about 10–12 ounces; prepare according to package instructions and drain
  • 1/2 medium onion thinly sliced and soaked in cold water for serving
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro chopped
  • few sprigs Thai basil or regular basil
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 1/2 pound fresh bean sprouts
  • 1 jalapeño chile sliced
  • Sriracha to taste
  • Hoisin sauce to taste

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
  • Large Bowl
  • Fine-mesh sieve or strainer
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Saucepan or pot for noodles

Method
 

  1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and heat the oil until shimmering. Add the halved onion and sliced ginger and cook, turning occasionally, until they are nicely browned, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add the whole garlic cloves, whole coriander seeds, and star anise; sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the chicken to the pot and pour in enough water to cover the chicken (about 2 quarts). Seal the lid and set the cooker to high pressure for 20 minutes.
  4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions and drain; chill the thinly sliced onion in cold water.
  5. When pressure cooking finishes, carefully release the pressure and remove the lid. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl and set aside to cool slightly.
  6. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solids and spices; discard the solids and return the clear broth to the Instant Pot on Sauté/Boil to keep it hot.
  7. Stir the fish sauce and sugar into the hot broth, taste, and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or sugar if needed.
  8. Remove the meat from the chicken bones and shred into bite-size pieces; discard bones and skin as desired.
  9. Divide the cooked rice noodles and shredded chicken among bowls. Top each bowl with drained sliced onion, cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, and jalapeño slices.
  10. Bring the broth to a full boil and ladle the hot broth over each assembled bowl. Serve with lime wedges, Sriracha, and hoisin sauce for individual seasoning.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for the best-flavored broth.
  • Toast the spices briefly while sautéing to boost aroma.
  • Soak the sliced onion in cold water to reduce bite and crisp it.
  • Taste the broth before serving and adjust fish sauce or sugar as needed.
  • Prepare noodles just before serving so they don't get soggy.