Name: Slow-Cooker Chicken & Rice Noodle Soup with Star Anise
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (two 32-ounce boxes); 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 10 whole star anise (see Tip); 6 whole cloves; 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds total), skin removed, trimmed; 6 ounces wide rice noodles; 6 cups chopped bok choy; 2 cups mung bean sprouts; 2 cups fresh basil leaves; 1 cup fresh mint leaves; 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves; 1 fresh Thai chile or serrano, thinly sliced; 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Rice Noodle Soup with Star Anise

3.4

(9)

9 Reviews

This comforting slow-cooker soup is inspired by pho, the traditional Vietnamese noodle dish made with rice noodles and meat, and served in a flavorful, clear broth with a multitude of garnishes. For this recipe, we've used low-sodium chicken broth seasoned with star anise, clove, ginger and cinnamon. Ngo gai (culantro) and onion are also commonly used to flavor the broth. It's perfect for the slow-cooker because pho usually simmers for at least three hours, becoming infused with the flavor of the spices. For garnishing, we've lined up bean sprouts, basil, mint, cilantro, sliced chile and lime wedges, but you could also use cabbage or scallions. One of the best parts of this dish is how customizable it is.

Carolyn Malcoun

Updated on November 3, 2022

Reviewed by Dietitian

Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD

Cook Time:

30 mins

Additional Time:

4 hrs

Total Time:

4 hrs 30 mins

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings, about 2 cups each

Nutrition Profile:

Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity High-Protein Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (two 32-ounce boxes)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
10 whole star anise (see Tip)
6 whole cloves
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
2 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 1/2 pounds total), skin removed, trimmed
6 ounces wide rice noodles
6 cups chopped bok choy
2 cups mung bean sprouts
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 fresh Thai chile or serrano, thinly sliced
1 lime, cut into 6 wedges

Directions

Combine broth, brown sugar, fish sauce, star anise, cloves, ginger and cinnamon stick in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add chicken breasts, meat-side down. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours (or on Low for 8 hours).
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Remove spices and discard. Add noodles and bok choy to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on High for 30 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the bone and shred with two forks. When the noodles are tender, stir in the shredded chicken. Serve bowls of soup with bean sprouts, basil, mint, cilantro, sliced chile and lime wedges on the side so everyone can add their own toppings.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Combine seasonings with broth; prep chicken; cover and refrigerate separately for up to 1 day.

Equipment: 5- to 6-quart slow cooker

Add star anise, named for its star-shaped pods, to Asian-inspired dishes to lend distinctive licorice-like flavor. Look for it with other bulk spices in natural-foods stores, in Asian markets or online at penzeys.com.

For easy cleanup, try a slow-cooker liner. These heat-resistant, disposable liners fit neatly inside the insert and help prevent food from sticking to the bottom and sides of your slow cooker.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

352	Calories
6g	Fat
39g	Carbs
38g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 2 cups
Calories 352
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 39g	14%
Dietary Fiber 3g	10%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 4g	8%
Protein 38g	75%
Total Fat 6g	7%
Saturated Fat 2g	8%
Cholesterol 75mg	25%
Vitamin A 4494IU	90%
Vitamin C 30mg	33%
Folate 82mcg	20%
Sodium 594mg	26%
Calcium 163mg	13%
Iron 6mg	31%
Magnesium 65mg	16%
Potassium 954mg	20%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.