Description
Cháo Gà is a comforting Vietnamese chicken rice porridge made with tender shredded chicken, fragrant jasmine rice, and a rich, aromatic broth infused with ginger and shallots. Creamy, savory, and soothing, it’s the ultimate bowl of comfort food perfect for any day.
Ingredients
For the Broth:
3.5–4 lbs whole chicken
5 large shallots, halved
3 inches ginger, peeled and sliced
1.5 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons palm sugar
3 liters water
For the Porridge:
1.5 cups jasmine rice, washed
6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder (optional)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fish sauce (or soy sauce)
Black pepper to taste
For Topping:
Fried shallots
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
4 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Make the broth: In a large pot, combine the whole chicken, shallots, ginger, salt, palm sugar, and 3 liters of water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then cover and remove from heat. Let rest for 1 hour.
- Shred the chicken: Remove chicken and cool it in ice water for 3 minutes. Shred into bite-sized pieces. Strain the broth and discard solids.
- Toast the rice: Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a pan, sauté minced shallots in a little oil, then add rice. Toast for 5–6 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the porridge: Add toasted rice to the strained broth. Pour in 6 cups of additional broth, bouillon powder (if using), sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 35–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and season with salt, pepper, or more fish sauce as needed.
- Serve: Ladle porridge into bowls and top with shredded chicken, fried shallots, cilantro, and green onions. Serve hot.
Notes
For a richer broth, use bone-in chicken and simmer longer.
Adjust porridge thickness by adding more broth or water as it cooks.
To make vegetarian, use mushrooms and vegetable broth instead of chicken.
Add chili oil or sliced chilis for a spicy version.
Leftovers thicken as they cool—stir in water or broth when reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
