How Many Calories Are in Chicken Pho? A Closer Look at This Vietnamese Soup

Chicken pho, a popular Vietnamese soup, has become a beloved dish worldwide. With its fragrant broth, tender chicken slices, and chewy noodles, it’s easy to see why people can’t get enough of this comforting soup. But if you’re watching your calorie intake, you may be wondering – how many calories are actually in a bowl of chicken pho? Let’s take a closer look.

What Exactly is Chicken Pho?

Before diving into the calorie count, it helps to understand exactly what pho is Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat – usually either beef or chicken. The broth is the heart and soul of pho. It simmers for hours, extracting flavors from beef or chicken bones before being seasoned with warming spices like star anise, cinnamon, fennel, and cloves

Chicken pho, known as pho ga, uses chicken broth as the base. It’s topped with sliced chicken breast, rice noodles, bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, lime, and chilies for heat. The result is a comforting, fragrant, and refreshing soup that’s perfect for any time of year.

Estimating Calories in Chicken Pho

Calories in pho can vary quite a bit depending on serving size additions like protein and noodles and where you get it. At restaurants, pho calories range from 350 to 500 per bowl. When made at home, a bowl clocks in between 300 to 450 calories.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the average calorie count in chicken pho:

• Broth Chicken broth contains minimal calories on its own, around 10 calories per cup However, when you add in protein like chicken and noodles, the calories add up.

• Chicken: A 3 ounce serving of cooked chicken breast contains around 140 calories. Pho bowls generally have around 5-6 ounces of chicken.

• Rice noodles: There are roughly 200 calories in 4 ounces of rice noodles. A pho bowl includes 2-3 ounces of noodles.

• Vegetables and herbs: Fresh additions like bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, chilies, and lime contain very minimal calories.

So in total, a typical large restaurant bowl of chicken pho ranges from 400-500 calories. Smaller home-cooked bowls are around 300-400 calories.

Chicken Pho Nutrition

Beyond just calories, the nutrition in chicken pho makes it a healthy meal choice. Here’s an overview of its nutritional value:

• Protein: With 20-30g of protein per serving, pho offers a hearty dose to promote muscle growth and repair.

• Carbs: Complex carbs from rice noodles provide sustained energy. A bowl has around 40-55g total carbs.

• Fat: At just 5-10g of fat per bowl, pho is low in fat, especially saturated fat.

• Vitamins & minerals: The broth contains immune-boosting zinc and magnesium. Herbs and veggies provide vitamin A, C, and K.

So chicken pho offers a nutritional balance of protein, carbs, and good fats – making it a well-rounded meal.

How Chicken Pho Compares to Other Soups

To put the calories and nutrition of chicken pho into context, let’s see how it compares to some other popular soups:

• Tomato soup: Creamy tomato soup is higher in calories and fat but lower in protein. Pho is a leaner choice.

• Beef stew: Heartier beef stews contain more calories, carbohydrates, and fat compared to the lighter pho.

• Chicken noodle soup: The two are similar in calories and macronutrients. Pho offers more herbs, spice, and often more protein than chicken noodle.

• Ramen: Tonkotsu ramen is higher in calories and sodium compared to pho. Pho has more protein and nutrients.

So in the soup world, chicken pho emerges as a lighter and more balanced option. With its mix of protein, carbs, and fresh flavors, it makes for a hearty yet healthy meal.

Tips for Enjoying Low-Calorie Chicken Pho

Chicken pho is already relatively low in calories, especially for such a filling soup. But there are still ways to cut down on calories if you’re looking to lighten it up even more:

• Use lean meat: Opt for skinless chicken breast over fatty dark meat. Also limit fatty beef cuts.

• Fill up on veggies: Pack your bowl with mushrooms, bok choy, broccoli, carrots. They add volume with minimal calories.

• Easy on the noodles: Limit portions of higher-calorie rice noodles. Or try substituting zoodles.

• Flavor with herbs and lime: Skip higher calorie condiments like hoisin sauce and opt for tons of fresh herbs, chilies, and lime juice.

• Make your own: When cooking pho at home, control ingredients and portions for a lighter result.

• Broth-based: Skip protein and noodles altogether and enjoy the broth on its own as a soothing sip.

With a few simple tweaks, you can customize your pho and still keep it light. But even in its traditional form, this Vietnamese favorite remains a healthier and more balanced soup choice.

So how many calories are in chicken pho? Around 300-500 calories per bowl, depending on serving size. And those calories come with a dose of protein, complex carbs, and hydration from the broth. So slurp up this comforting soup without all the guilt!