Vietnamese Chicken Rice Porridge, also known as “Cháo Gà,” is a comforting and nourishing dish commonly enjoyed as a breakfast or light meal in Vietnam. It’s a simple and flavorful rice porridge infused with chicken and aromatic herbs. Here’s a basic recipe to make this Porridge
1. How To Make Vietnamese Chicken Rice Porridge
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 large chicken breast or 2 small chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garnishes: Sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, fried shallots, lime wedges, sliced chili peppers, and mung bean sprouts.
Instructions
Wash the jasmine rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain any excess water.
In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the chicken breast or thighs and ginger slices to the pot. Lower the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. If using bone-in chicken, remove the skin and bones and shred the meat. Set aside.
Add the rinsed jasmine rice to the chicken broth. Stir well to prevent sticking. Let the rice cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired porridge consistency. This will take about 20-30 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic, fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings according to your preference.
Ladle the hot chicken rice porridge into individual bowls. Top each bowl with the shredded chicken and your desired garnishes, such as sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, fried shallots, lime wedges, sliced chili peppers, and mung bean sprouts.
Serve the Vietnamese Chicken Rice Porridge while it’s still hot. It’s a delicious and comforting dish that’s perfect for any time of the day, especially during cold weather or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings and toppings to suit your taste. This recipe is versatile, and you can add other ingredients like cooked quail eggs or sliced mushrooms for variation. Enjoy your homemade Cháo Gà!
Currently, I’m the founder and responsible for the content on Explore One Vietnam travel website. After many trips, I have accumulated a lot of experience in traveling to Vietnam, so I want to share these things with international tourists.