Fragrant Lemongrass Chicken Pho

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Ingredients

For the Broth:

2 stalks of lemongrass, trimmed and smashed

1 medium onion, halved

4 cloves of garlic, smashed

1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced thin

8 cups of chicken broth

1 tablespoon of fish sauce

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

1 teaspoon of sugar

5 whole star anise pods

2 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Chicken:

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1 teaspoon of ground coriander

Salt and black pepper to taste

For Garnishing:

Fresh basil leaves

Bean sprouts

Lime wedges

Sliced jalapeños (optional for heat)

Chopped fresh cilantro

Sliced green onions

Cooked rice noodles (approximately 8 oz, vermicelli style)

Instructions

Prepare the Broth:

- In a large pot, set the chicken broth over medium heat. Add in the smashed lemongrass, halved onion, smashed garlic, and sliced ginger.

- Incorporate the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, star anise pods, whole cloves, and the cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 30-40 minutes to fully infuse the flavors.

- After simmering, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as desired. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into another pot, discarding the solids, and keep the broth warm.

Cook the Chicken:

- Season the chicken thighs generously with ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

- Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the skillet and sear each side until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.

Cook the Rice Noodles:

- Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain them and set aside.

Assemble the Pho:

- In individual serving bowls, place a handful of the cooked rice noodles. Arrange slices of the seared chicken on top.

- Ladle the hot, fragrant broth over the noodles and chicken to soak the ingredients.

- Add garnishes such as fresh basil leaves, bean sprouts, lime wedges, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions according to personal preference.

Serve:

- Serve the Pho steaming hot, allowing each person to enhance their bowl with additional garnishes and a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 20 minutes | 1 hour | 4 servings

Presentation Tips: Serve in deep bowls to accommodate all the beautiful colors from the garnishes, and consider using a wooden board for the garnishes on the side, allowing guests to customize their bowls visually and flavorfully.