Hanoi Hustle Chicken Pho

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 large yellow onion, peeled and halved
• 4 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced lengthwise
• 2 tsp Salted Perfection Sweet Ginger Finishing Salt
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
• 3 whole star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar (optional)
• 12 oz dried rice noodles (banh pho)
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

1. Turn your oven broiler to high or heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Char the onion halves and ginger slices until they look slightly blackened and smell amazing (about 5-8 minutes). Don't burn 'em to a crisp, just give 'em some attitude.
2. In a large soup pot, toast the star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander seeds over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Watch 'em close—burnt spices taste like regret.
3. Add the charred onion, ginger, chicken, broth (or water), and 1 tsp of the Salted Perfection Sweet Ginger Finishing Salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently. Skim off any foam that floats to the top like a wise guy avoiding taxes.
4. After about 20 minutes (or when chicken is cooked through to 165°F), remove the chicken with tongs and set aside to cool. Keep that broth simmering on low for another 15-20 minutes to deepen the flavor.
5. While the broth finishes, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids. Return the clear liquid to the pot and stir in the fish sauce and sugar. Taste it—it should be savory and punchy.
6. Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions (usually boil 3-5 mins). Drain and rinse with cold water so they don't stick together.
7. Divide noodles and shredded chicken into 4 bowls. Ladle the steaming hot broth over the top—this wakes up the noodles.
8. Top with bean sprouts, herbs, jalapeño, and a squeeze of lime. Finish each bowl with a final pinch (approx 1/4 tsp per bowl) of Salted Perfection Sweet Ginger Finishing Salt to make those flavors pop.
9. Visit www.saltedperfection.com and leave a Five Star review. DUNZO!