Pressure Cooker Chicken Pho

Introduction

Pressure Cooker Chicken Pho (Pho Ga) brings you all the soul-soothing flavors of traditional Vietnamese pho—tender chicken, aromatic broth, and fresh herbs—but in a fraction of the time, thanks to the power of modern pressure cookers. It’s a winning choice when you crave global comfort food without spending hours at the stove.

With its fragrant broth and lively garnishes, this recipe quickly becomes a family favorite, equally ideal for weeknight dinners and casual dinner parties.

Why Try Pressure Cooker Chicken Pho?

Classic pho is renowned for its depth of flavor, usually developed by simmering bones and spices for hours. Using a pressure cooker, you dramatically reduce cook time without sacrificing that signature richness. The result is tender chicken, clear yet savory broth, and a dish brightened by fresh herbs and citrus. This recipe is also highly customizable—pile it high with bean sprouts, add extra chili, or toss in your favorite greens!

Essential Prep for Speed and Ease

To make assembling veggies for your pho a snap, reach for the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. From dicing onions and slicing scallions to prepping fresh herbs, this gadget streamlines your chopping work while keeping everything uniform for a beautiful presentation.

For the chicken, cut it into manageable pieces using quality kitchen shears like the KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath, which trims prep time and makes for even cooking.

The Broth: Fast, Flavorful, and Fragrant

The secret to luscious broth is a hot sear on your aromatics and chicken before adding water. While classic pho demands a watchful eye and constant skimming, a modern pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker does it all, delivering a clear, savory broth in just 30 minutes. Toasting your spices directly in the pot deepens their flavor, infusing the broth with classic pho aroma.

Assembly and Serving Suggestions

Once your rich broth is ready, strain it for clarity using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Lay blanched rice noodles in each bowl, top with tender chicken, and ladle over steaming broth. The final flourish: a vibrant garnish bar, featuring sliced onion, jalapeño, lime wedges, bean sprouts, and torn herbs. Store leftovers in neat portions with Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy future lunches or dinners.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous bowls of comforting Chicken Pho. Each serving contains about 350–450 calories, depending on your noodle and garnish choices. It’s a wholesome, protein-rich meal that’s as delightfully light as it is satisfying.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Pho (Recap)

With bold, aromatic broth and a generous helping of fresh toppings, this Pressure Cooker Chicken Pho delivers restaurant-quality results in a home kitchen—fast. You get all the flavor and comfort, minus the hours of simmering, thanks to a few smart kitchen gadgets and efficient prep techniques.

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker (or other pressure cooker) to sauté mode. Lightly char the halved onion and ginger, cut sides down, for about 3 minutes, until fragrant and browned.
2. Add star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander seeds. Toast for 1 minute, stirring, until aromatic.
3. Add chicken pieces and 6 cups water. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Season with salt and fish sauce.
4. Lock lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining steam.
5. Meanwhile, prepare pho noodles according to package instructions. For fast and uniform veggie prep, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to slice scallions, onions, and chili.
6. Remove the chicken and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve, discarding solids. Season the broth to taste with more salt or fish sauce if necessary.
7. Shred the chicken using a fork or a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen for perfect, even shreds.
8. To serve, arrange cooked noodles in bowls. Top with shredded chicken, ladle over steaming hot broth, and let everyone garnish with fresh herbs, lime, bean sprouts, and chilies as desired.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Savor authentic Vietnamese flavors with weeknight ease—your bowl of aromatic, vibrant Chicken Pho is ready in under an hour!