Low Sodium Pho Chicken Soup

Savor the warm, fragrant comfort of Low Sodium Pho Chicken Soup, a heart-healthy twist on the classic Vietnamese favorite. This recipe balances authentic flavors with reduced sodium, featuring a deeply aromatic broth infused with charred onion, fresh ginger, warming spices like star anise and cinnamon, and a splash of low-sodium fish sauce. Tender slices of chicken and silky rice noodles create a wholesome base, while vibrant garnishes—fresh cilantro, basil, lime, bean sprouts, and spicy jalapeño—add a customizable, flavorful flair. With just 20 minutes of prep and an hour of cooking, this nutrient-rich, gluten-free soup is perfect for cozy dinners or meal prepping a delicious, low-sodium alternative to takeout pho.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 8 ounces rice noodles
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 inches fresh ginger
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 3 whole star anise
• 3 whole whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce, low sodium
• 1 whole lime
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 3 scallions
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 whole jalapeño pepper
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the aromatic base: slice the onion into thick rounds and cut the ginger into thick slices. Do not peel.

Step 2

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, char the onion and ginger slices until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the chicken breasts, low sodium chicken broth, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns into the pot.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.

Step 5

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the breasts from the pot and set aside to cool slightly. Thinly slice or shred the chicken once it's cool enough to handle.

Step 6

While the soup base continues to simmer, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Step 7

Strain the broth through a fine sieve into another large pot, discarding the solids. Stir in the low sodium fish sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Return the broth to the stove and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

To assemble the pho bowls, divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls, top with chicken, and ladle the hot broth over the top.

Step 10

Serve the soup with garnishes: lime wedges, cilantro, basil, sliced scallions, bean sprouts, and thinly sliced jalapeño. Encourage everyone to customize their bowls to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2591.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1339.8

Total Fat 20.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 5266.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 111.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 16.8g
Protein 178.2g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 447.7mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 3501.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 13.9%

Protein: 53.0%

Carbs: 33.2%