Laura Fuentes

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Eat Healthy
  • Quick Meals
  • Pancakes
  • About
  • Dinner
  • Pasta Night
  • Best Chicken Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Eat Healthy
  • Quick Meals
  • Pancakes
  • About
  • Dinner
  • Pasta Night
  • Best Chicken Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Chicken Dinners

Easy Homemade Pho Recipe

By Laura Fuentes Updated May 2, 2024

5 from 46 votes

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

This easy recipe for homemade pho is simple to make and comes together in your crockpot! 

This homemade Pho recipe is easy to make at home and still has all the flavors of the classic Vietnamese soup. It’s the perfect beginner recipe.

Every incredible bowl of Pho begins with a good broth, and in this recipe, I’ll show you how to make your own in the slow cooker with chicken broth and fresh aromatics. 

large bowl of homemade pho

Easy Homemade Pho

Homemade Pho is one of the easiest chicken noodle soups to make at home. It is layered with the complex flavors of fresh toppings, protein, and thin rice noodles in a savory broth.

While traditional Pho broth is simmered on the stove-top for hours, I like to prepare it in the slow-cooker as a hands-free method.

When dinner is ready, everyone can assemble their bowl with the rice noodles and toppings and pour on the hot broth- it’s so easy, and the noodles will cook within a minute!

pouring pho broth over ingredients

Pho Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make delicious Pho at home: 

  • Chicken breasts or thighs: sliced into thin strips and simmered in hot broth. 
  • Low-sodium chicken broth: use chicken broth from the carton, or try making this homemade chicken broth.
  • Fresh ginger: known for its spicy-sweet aroma and taste. 
  • Garlic: balances out the sweet ginger notes. 
  • Soy sauce: adds depth of flavor. 
  • Fish sauce: a traditional Pho ingredient, just a splash is all you need. 
  • Rice noodles: use thin noodles which cook quickly in the hot broth. You can find these in the Asian dry-goods section of your grocery store. 
  • Toppings: the traditional toppings include Thai basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime. You’ll find more toppings ideas for homemade Pho at the end of the post.
overhead view of simple homemade pho in a bowl

How to Make Pho

Print the recipe card below and gather you’re ingredients because you’re about to make Pho at home! Here are the steps:

  1. Prep
    Trim off the excess fat from the chicken breasts or thighs and slice into thin strips. 
  2. Slow Cook
    Add the chicken, broth, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce to the slow cooker dish. Stir to combine and cook on low for 8 hours. 
  3. Assemble your Pho
    Add the uncooked rice noodles, bean sprouts, and herbs to individual bowls. Ladle the chicken and HOT broth over the noodles and allow them to sit for 1-2 minutes. Top with a squeeze of lime and jalapeño, enjoy! 

Best Toppings for Homemade Pho

Pho is known for its variety of fresh toppings that start to slow-cook when you ladle in the hot broth. The heat helps release their flavors and makes every bite even more delicious. Here are the most popular toppings for Pho:

  • Green onions: adds a subtle onion flavor to the broth.
  • Bean sprouts: found in the fresh produce section of your grocery store and any Asian groceries.
  • Cilantro leaves: a staple herb for great Pho. 
  • Thai basil: another staple Pho herb with a spicy, licorice-like flavor.  
  • Mint leaves: optional, but fresh mint gives the broth a sweet, fresh note. 
  • Thai basil: another staple Pho herb with a spicy, licorice-like flavor.  
  • Jalapeńo: optional, but tastes great if you like heat! 
  • Lime: brightens the flavors of the broth. 
  • Sriracha: adds a spicy kick! 
  • Hoisin: a rich, savory sauce that makes a great condiment for Pho. 

Grab your slow cooker, and favorite toppings, and get ready for an epic bowl of homemade Pho!

Homemade Pho for Beginners

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 8 hours hrs
Total Time: 8 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
This easy recipe for homemade pho is simple to make and comes together in your crockpot! 
5 from 46 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless skinless
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 32-ounce cartons
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or coconut aminos or Tamari
  • 1 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 12 ounces dried thin rice noodles
  • 2 green onions, sliced, whites and greens divided
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
  • 2 limes, sliced into wedges

Instructions

  • Use a sharp knife to trim any excess fat from the chicken breast or thighs and slice into thin strips. 
  • Add the chicken, chicken broth, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce to the slow cooker dish. Stir to combine and cook on low for 8 hours. 
  • Before serving, assemble rice noodles, sliced onions, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, jalapeño, and limes into smaller bowls.
  • To serve, add the uncooked rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro, and other desired toppings to individual bowls. Ladle the chicken and broth over the rice noodles and serve. Rice noodles will cook in about 1 minute.

Equipment

Free Meal Planner Printable
crockpot
Slow Cooker

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowl | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg

More Chicken Dinners

  • top view of six chicken thighs with mushrooms in a baking dish
    Chicken Thighs and Mushrooms
  • seven honey mustard chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet
    Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
  • top view of a white skillet with buffalo chicken pasta
    Buffalo Chicken Pasta
  • top view of chicken curry with rice in a bowl
    Simple Chicken Curry

Comments

    5 from 46 votes (18 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Elena says

    February 14, 2018 at 8:08 am

    5 stars
    Easy to make and everyone loved it.

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    February 13, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was really good. Nothing foreign and my kids ate it. I used Swanson’s vegetable broth -was all I had on hand.

    Reply
  3. Adrienne says

    February 13, 2018 at 12:20 am

    5 stars
    My favorite way to use broth is potato soup or any soup or to cook rice. It’s so versatile.

    Reply
  4. Victoria Murrell says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I use chicken broth when I make Spanish rice and Thanksgiving stuffing!

    Reply
  5. Eloise Matthews says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight. It’s not “authentic” like the Vietnamese place in my town but my family LOVED it, I didn’t slave over dinner, and it tasted really good. Also, saved me tons of money. win win.

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »
Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

More about me →

Let's Be Social!

Facebook Pinterest Instagram YouTube
5 Secrets to Healthy(er) Family Meals

Fresh Favorites

  • stack of homemade fluffy pancakes from scratch stacked on a plate, topped with a pat of butter, and pancake syrup over the top
    Best Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
  • rotisserie chicken alfredo
    Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo
  • Creamy balsamic vinaigrette drizzling from a spoon into a glass jar with a fresh salad in the background.
    The Best Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
  • 4 fillets of baked cajun salmon served with roasted potatoes and broccoli
    Baked Cajun Salmon

Trending Now

  • stack of protein pancakes on a plate, topped with sliced strawberries and a drizzle of syrup
    Protein Pancakes with Protein Powder
  • copycat canes nuggets and fries with texas toast and two sauces
    Copycat Cane’s Chicken Recipe with Homemade Cane’s Sauce
  • large plate of freshly baked mixed chicken pieces
    Juicy Baked Chicken Pieces
  • creamy garlic sauce in a large pot with pepper on top
    Creamy Garlic Sauce

Footer

Browse

  • Start Here
  • Eat Healthy in 30 Days
  • Recipe Index

Useful Links

  • Contact
  • Permissions
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2026 LAURA FUENTES · DESIGN BY FUENTES MEDIA

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.