Chicken Pho with Pea Shoots
This flavorful broth-based Vietnamese-style soup is infused with fragrant ginger, garlic and whole spices, then piled high with fresh herbs and delicate pea shoots for a hit of freshness. If your shoots are longer than a few inches, snip them into shorter, bite-size pieces.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 1/4-inch slices fresh ginger
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 4 tsp fish sauce
- 2 green cardamom pods
- 1 star anise pod
- 1/2 stick cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric (TRY: Simply Organic Ground Turmeric Root)
- 20 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 oz brown rice vermicelli noodles
- 1 jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
- 3 cups pea shoots
- 1/2 cup each loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro and chopped fresh mint
- 2 green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
Preparation
- In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, combine broth, ginger, shallot, garlic, fish sauce, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, turmeric and 3 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add chicken. Simmer gently, uncovered, until chicken is no longer pink inside and reaches 165˚F when tested with an instant-read thermometer in center, about 15 minutes. (NOTE: Do not boil.) Using tongs, transfer chicken to a cutting board; let cool slightly. Chop or shred into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
- Arrange a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl; strain broth mixture through sieve, discarding solids. Return liquid to Dutch oven and heat on low. Stir in chicken, lime juice and pepper and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions; divide among bowls. Ladle broth mixture over top, dividing evenly. Sprinkle with jalapeño, pea shoots, cilantro, mint and green onions, dividing evenly.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1/4 of recipe
- Calories 349
- Carbohydrate Content 33 g
- Cholesterol Content 104 mg
- Fat Content 6 g
- Fiber Content 5 g
- Protein Content 42 g
- Saturated Fat Content 1.5 g
- Sodium Content 544 mg
- Sugar Content 4 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 1 g