Sharing my favorite Spring soup!

Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Because as I type this there is way too much snow falling outside my window, and you know…I am totally over it! It’s almost April and all I want is sunshine, and lots of it! Ugh, Oh well, I guess the good news is that it’s still very much soup weather, which is why I decided to share this quick and easy spring pho style soup!

Is anyone else feeling the need for a little springtime comfort food or what?

It’s Thursday, so my thinking here is that it’s the end of the week and we all just need an easy recipe to warm up to tonight. This is totally that recipe…plus, I mean, there’s noodles involved, and when are noodles not a good idea?

Answer? They’re always a good idea!

Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

OKok, so I am going to get right down to the recipe today because well, it’s Thursday and my brain is feeling a little all over the place!

This soup was inspired by Pho. It has all things fresh, cozy and delicious. Honey caramelized chicken, sweet and spicy broth, peas, spinach, rice noodles, and topped with an egg (which is not traditional, but it just seemed like a good idea…when it doubt put an egg on it), sprouts, cilantro, and edible garlic flowers, because I’m obsessed with edible flowers right now.

Traditionally, pho is a slow simmered soup using beef and or chicken bones to create a delicious and super flavorful broth. As much as I love that idea, sometimes using store-bought broth is just about all I can handle…especially towards the end of the week…and especially after a week like this one, which was spent filming four to five recipes a day!!

The soup comes together all in one pot. Start out by cooking up the chicken with a little honey to caramelize it just a bit. Then add everything else to the same pot and simmer. I used two of my favorite spring veggies, peas and spinach, but really, you can use any combo of veggies you love, and or have on hand. Carrots, mushrooms, bok choy, kale, and bell peppers would be awesome with this soup! Most important here is the broth, noodles and that honey caramelized chicken. <–so good.

This soup is very easy and simple, but still so flavorful and delish!

Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

In other random news, it’s been a pretty great week over here! Lots of fun working away in the kitchen and actually having someone around to chat with while I work. Typically it’s just me, my camera, and a lot of food, but with my brother here filming this week, its been a nice change of pace, which I think was very much needed. I love when work doesn’t actually feel so much like work, it makes the day fly by.

Kai is flying out of today, he’s headed to Cleveland for his girlfriend Cait’s birthday, but he’s leaving behind plenty of new recipe videos…which I am very excited about!

But first! A little (cheaters style) pho soup for dinner!

Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
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3.31 from 46 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Springtime Chicken Soup

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: chicken soup, quick pho

A beautiful chicken pho that is super quick to make!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 527 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless chicken tenders
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 star anise
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 fresno pepper, seeded + chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 8 ounces rice noodles
  • soft boiled eggs, optional, for serving
  • fresh cilantro, basil, sprouts and limes, for serving

Instructions

  1. 1. In a medium bowl, toss together the chicken and honey.

    2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear until caramelized on both sides, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the broth. Add the star anise, garlic, ginger, fresno pepper, hoisin sauce, and fish sauce. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily. Shred the chicken in the pot. Stir in the peas, and spinach. Heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes. 

    3. Cook the rice noodles according to package directions.

    4. Divide the noodles between bowls and ladle the soup over the noodles. Garnish as desired with eggs, herbs, limes, and sprouts. Enjoy!

Springtime Chicken Noodle Pho | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

But first! A little cheaters style pho soup for dinner tonight!