The Accidental Pho Bowl

What started as a pantry experiment became a favorite. Tender chicken, silky bean thread noodles, and a rich homemade broth come together with ginger, garlic, warm spices, fresh cilantro, and lime for a surprisingly delicious comfort meal.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Heat a large pot and brown chicken thighs on both sides. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 2

Add ginger paste and garlic to the pot and sauté briefly until fragrant.

Step 3

Add cooking sherry and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Step 4

Add chicken broth, fish sauce, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, Chinese five spice, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 5

Return chicken thighs to the broth, including any juices that collected.

Step 6

Simmer on low for 60-90 minutes until chicken is tender and falls apart easily.

Step 7

Remove chicken, slice/shred and set asside

Step 8

Taste broth and adjust: Add sweet soy sauce and/or hoisin for more sweetness. Add a small amount more five spice if desired. Add fresh lime juice to brighten the broth.

Step 9

Prepare bean thread noodles according to package directions (soak in hot water until tender). Add noodles to bowls.

Step 10

Top the noodles with the chicken and ladle hot broth over chicken and noodles.

Step 11

Top with cilantro, jammy egg, lime juice, and optional jalapeño, Sriracha, and hoisin.

Step 12

Notes: Longer simmer time reduces the broth and intensifies the flavor. Add extra broth or water if a larger amount is desired. The final lime squeeze in the bowl is highly recommended. Bean thread noodles provide the perfect silky texture for this soup.