30 Minute Instant Pot Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

Name: Instant Pot Pho Ga
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds bone-in skin on chicken thighs; 2 teaspoons sea salt (plus 1 teaspoon (to season chicken)); 1 tablespoon fat or oil; 8 cups water; 1 large onion (quartered); 2 teaspoon ginger paste; 1/2 whole cinnamon stick; 1 teaspoon coriander seeds; 3 whole star anise; 4 whole cloves; 1 teaspoon white peppercorns; 4 whole green onions; 4 tablespoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoon palm sugar; 14 ounces rice noodles ((dried or fresh)); 2 fresh limes; 2 sliced jalapenos; pickled red onions (*see below); 1 cup fresh mint; 1 cup fresh basil; 1 cup bean sprouts; 1/4 cup fried garlic; sriracha (to taste); hoisin sauce (to taste); 3 slices red onion; 1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar

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The Instant Pot pho ga (pronounced "fuh") is incredibly easy to make and tastes like it's been simmering for hours. Only 30 minutes in the Instant Pot will give you the most amazing, fragrant, umami-packed broth.

a bowl of vietnamese pho with condiments and chopsticks.

I don't know about you guys, but a bowl of steaming hot pho is one of those things that always makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. Whether I'm feeling great or under the weather, I feel like this chicken pho cures all my ills.

Plus, this pho ga recipe is super easy made right in the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker. Just like this Instant Pot beef pho that is one of the most popular recipes on the site.

With a rich roasted seasoned chicken broth, pieces of tender chicken, slurp-able rice noodles and all the fresh garnishes you'd ever want, this pho recipe has it all.

You may also want to try this spicy chicken ramen, pho tai or bun bo hue (beef noodles soup) for a soul warming soup recipe!

We LOVE using the Instant Pot to make soups (or other dishes) that typically take a long time to make - check out some of our favorites:

Jump to:

What is pho ga?
Why this instant pot chicken pho recipe works
The ingredients
Step by step instructions to make instant pot pho ga
How to make quick pickled onions
What to serve with Vietnamese chicken noodle soup
Expert tips
Frequently asked questions
More Vietnamese recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

What is pho ga?

Chicken pho, or pho ga is a Vietnamese rice noodle soup make with chicken broth, herbs and spices, rice noodles and chunks of chicken. It is often served garnished with fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro and mint are popular), limes, jalapenos and bean sprouts.

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Why this instant pot chicken pho recipe works

The instant pot helps makes the broth super flavorful in a short amount of time using spices such as coriander seeds, cinnamon and star anise.
Roasting the chicken before putting it in the instant pot gives the broth a deeper roasted flavor.
Even though it has a lot of ingredients, it is super easy to make in the instant pot.
This instant pot recipe tastes just like the restaurant version!

The ingredients

ingredients in bowls laid out on a dark surface.

The full list of recipes and ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

I always recommend using chicken thighs with bones (or leg with bones), otherwise the meat may become dry while cooking. That said, you can use chicken breast instead if you prefer.

Any kind of fresh or dried rice noodles will work for the pho noodles.

The recipe calls for palm sugar, which is a natural sugar from the coconut tree. It has a rich, caramel flavor and I love it. You can also substitute coconut sugar or brown sugar if needed.

You're also going to need fresh whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, coriander, star anise and white peppercorns. Whole spices are going to have a much better flavor than using pre-ground spices.

PRO-TIP: Buy the whole spices in the bulk section of your grocery store so you only buy what you need. Spices get stale quickly so you can avoid throwing away a bunch of unused spices. Toast the spices to bring the flavor out.

Fish sauce is a must when making pho. My favorite is Red Boat 40 as I believe it has the best flavor and I highly recommend using it (especially in this Vietnamese dipping sauce).

The full list of ingredients and amounts to make pressure cooker chicken pho is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step by step instructions to make instant pot pho ga

I highly recommend roasting your chicken thighs before making the broth. While this adds time to the meal, it's totally worth it to get that extra depth of flavor.

Lightly salt the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon of salt.

roasted chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

Roast in a 400°F degree oven for 20 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

PRO-TIP: If you do not have time to roast the thighs, just remove the skin before putting them in the Instant Pot with the other ingredients. The uncooked skin will cause the broth to become too fatty.

Heat the fat in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting. Add the onions and ginger and let them cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring. They should get charred. The char adds an amazing deep flavor to the broth.

onions, green onions and spices being charred in a pot.

Add the whole cinnamon, coriander, star anise, cloves, peppercorns and green onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly so the spices don't burn.

chicken thighs and brown liquid in a pot with green onions.

Add the water, roasted chicken, fish sauce and palm sugar. Switch the Instant Pot to the pressure setting and pressure cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then use the manual release to release the remaining pressure.

Strain the broth with a mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth and set the chicken aside. Add the salt to the broth. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Set the broth aside and keep hot in the Instant Pot.

Cook the rice noodles according to the package. Strain and divide into soup bowls.

When the chicken is cool enough, shred it into bite size chicken pieces.

Place the shredded chicken meat in the bowls on top of the noodles and pour the hot broth over top. Serve pho garnished with the pickled onions (see below), fresh limes, bean sprouts, lots of fresh herbs, jalapenos, crispy garlic, sriracha and hoisin sauce as desired.

noodle soup in a bowl with red onions and green jalapenos.

How to make quick pickled onions

Slice onions in ¼" slices and cover with rice vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure onions are covered. Drain the excess vinegar off and serve.

What to serve with Vietnamese chicken noodle soup

Honestly, I like to eat this pressure cooker pho ga just by itself as a meal. But if you've got company, a significant other who like more "substance" or kids who just want to eat apps all day, here are some other options for serving:

chopsticks pulling noodles out of a bowl of soup.

Expert tips

Roast the chicken thighs in advance for the best flavor. If you choose not to roast them, be sure to remove the skin before adding to the Instant Pot.
You can also use a whole chicken to make this recipe. Use enough water so the chicken is submerged.
This recipe can be made in an 8-quart instant pot as well. Just cover the chicken thighs with water.
Don't stir the onions once you add them. Let them char as it adds flavor to the broth.
Once you add the whole spices, stir regularly to prevent them burning (whole spices will burn quickly and ruin your broth).
Make sure to use whole spices, not ground spices. Ground spices will make it difficult to get a nice clear broth and may affect the flavor.
When servings, the soup is best served with lots of fresh herbs.

a bowl of noodles with fresh herbs and jalapenos.

Frequently asked questions

What gives Vietnamese chicken pho it's distinct flavor?

The combination of charred whole spices like cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and star anise, aromatics (onions, garlic, etc.), fish sauce and mix-ins like fresh herbs, lime, jalapenos, sriracha and hoisin sauce all mixed together is what helps give pho it's delicious sweet and savory flavor.

What 5 spices are typically added to traditional pho broth?

Typically whole coriander, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and white peppercorns are used to make pho broth. Some versions use whole cardamon pods as well.

How to make Vietnamese pho ga in advance.

Make the broth and shred the chicken in accordance with the above instructions. Store the broth and chicken separately in airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To serve, heat the broth to boiling. While broth is heating, cook the rice noodles according to the package. Serve the boiling broth ladled over the shredded chicken and cooked rice noodles. Garnish per recipe instructions.

How to freeze chicken pho.

The broth can be made ahead and frozen if desired. After the broth is strained, place it in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Shred the chicken and place the meat in an airtight container. The chicken can also be store for up to 3 months.

To thaw, place broth and chicken in the fridge overnight. To serve, heat the broth to boiling. While broth is heating, cook the rice noodles according to the package. Serve the boiling broth ladled over the shredded chicken and cooked rice noodles. Garnish per recipe instructions.

More Vietnamese recipes

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