Whole30 Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

Savor the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with this Whole30 Pho Ga, a wholesome twist on traditional Vietnamese chicken noodle soup. Made with a rich, aromatic broth simmered for hours with warming spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves, this dish is infused with depth and complexity. The recipe swaps traditional rice noodles for spiralized zucchini and carrot “noodles,” making it a perfect choice for those following Whole30, paleo, or gluten-free diets. Tender shredded chicken pairs beautifully with fresh toppings like bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, and a zesty squeeze of lime, creating a soup that’s both comforting and refreshing. Whether you’re looking for a nourishing meal-prep idea or a healthy take on a classic, this Whole30 Pho Ga delivers bold, authentic flavors in every bowl.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 3-4 pounds whole chicken
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 inches ginger
• 12 cups water
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 3 inches cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 large carrot
• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup fresh basil
• 1 sliced jalapeño pepper
• 1 quartered lime
• 2 sliced green onions

Directions

Step 1

Place the whole chicken in a large stockpot.

Step 2

Char the onion and ginger over an open flame or under the broiler until slightly blackened. Add them to the pot with the chicken.

Step 3

Add 12 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Skim off any scum that appears.

Step 4

Reduce to a simmer. Add fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stick tied in a piece of cheesecloth for easy removal later.

Step 5

Simmer the broth gently for about 90 minutes, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked and tender.

Step 6

Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool. Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 7

Return bones to the pot and continue to simmer the broth for another 60 minutes to enhance the flavor.

Step 8

Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot or large bowl. Discard the solids and return the clear broth to the stockpot.

Step 9

Add fish sauce and sea salt to the broth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Use a spiralizer to make noodles from the carrot and zucchinis. Set aside.

Step 11

Bring the broth back to a simmer and add the chicken and spiralized noodles. Heat until the noodles are just tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 12

Divide the chicken, noodles, and broth among serving bowls.

Step 13

Top with bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, jalapeño slices, green onions, and a squeeze of lime to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5122.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	612.5

Total Fat 18.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 102.1mg	0%
Sodium 13511.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 87.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.6g	0%
Total Sugars 42.7g
Protein 42.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 646.6mg	0%
Iron 12.4mg	0%
Potassium 2500.2mg	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: 23.8%

Protein: 24.7%

Carbs: 51.5%