Vietnamese chicken noodle soup

Make our comforting bowlful of chicken noodle soup with warming Vietnamese spices. This easy 'pho ga' recipe makes an ideal low-fat supper for a crowd

Prep:20 mins
Cook:25 mins

Serves 6
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 442
fat 4g
saturates 1g
carbs 68g
sugars 4g
fibre 5g
protein 31g
salt 1.5g

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
3 shallots, sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 lemongrass stalk, chopped
2½ cm piece ginger sliced
3 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp coriander seeds
¼ tsp Chinese five spice
¼ tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp caster sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce
1¼ - 1½ litres good quality fresh chicken stock
3 large chicken breasts(about 500g)
450g rice noodles
4 spring onions, finely sliced on an angle
1 carrot, shredded or peeled into ribbon with a vegetable peeler
2 large handfuls (150g) mung bean sprouts
large bunch coriander, chopped
small bunch mint, leaves chopped
1 red chilli, thinly sliced (optional)
2 tbsp crispy fried shallots(optional)
1 kaffir lime leaf, tough central stalk removed, very finely sliced, (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges

Method

Heat the oil in a small frying pan on medium heat and gently cook the shallots and garlic until caramelised and golden brown (about 4-5 mins).
In a large saucepan, add the caramelised shallots and garlic, lemongrass, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, Chinese five-spice, peppercorns, sugar, fish sauce, chicken stock and chicken breasts. Cover with a lid and bring to a very gentle simmer for about 15 mins.
Meanwhile, cook the noodles, following pack instructions, until just cooked through (do not over-cook). Rinse under cold water to prevent them sticking together. Drain and divide between serving bowls.
Strain the soup through a sieve. Discard the spices. Shred the chicken and keep to one side. Return soup to the pot and bring to a boil. Season to taste with more fish sauce if needed.
To serve, ladle piping hot soup into bowls of noodles and chicken, and top with spring onion, carrot, bean sprouts, and herbs, plus the chilli, crispy shallots and kaffir lime leaf if using. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over, and more fish sauce and chilli to taste.