Chao ga is a Vietnamese chicken and rice porridge that is basically comfort in a bowl.

Make a giant pot and enjoy it again and again throughout the week.

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Chao is porridge and ga means chicken in Vietnamese.

Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) in a Bowl Surrounded a Bowl of Sauce

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In Vietnam, chao ga is usually eaten for breakfast, but you might serve it for any meal.

In Vietnam, its served to patients in hospitals with minced chicken or pork and spring onions on top.

At home, when you are feeling under the weather, mamma would bring you chao.

Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) in a Bowl with Soup Spoon, Surrounded by Bowl of Seasoning and Small Plate of Fried Onions

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I imagine the time spent cooking chao to be therapeutic and harmonious.

The rice blooms as it cooks, expanding.

I like using jasmine rice for chao.

Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) Topped with Chicken in a Bowl with a Soup Spoon

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Its also my preferred grain of choice at home.

Cook the porridge to the consistency you prefer.

Add more liquid and cook it for much longerabout 60 minutesfor a thinner and silkier porridge.

Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) in a Bowl Surrounded by Platter of Vegetables and Bowls of Sauce

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It is up to you!

A Good Broth is the Secret

A good broth is the secret to an excellent chao.

Each topping can go into individual bowls for sharing too.

Bowl of Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) with Vegetables and Herbs, Surrounded by Platter of Vegetables and Bowls of Sauce

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Peel and cut the stem and root ends off the onion to create a flat top and bottom.

Place the charred onion and chicken in a large pot.

Set the pot over low heat and simmer covered for 1 hour.

Whole Chicken and Onion in Pot with Water for Vietnamese Rice Porridge Recipe

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It results in a succulent and juicy chicken.

Fill a large bowl with very cold water and set it next to the stovetop.

Use a spider to carefully scoop the cooked chicken out of the pot into the cold water bath.

Washed Bowl of Rice in Bowl Next to Bowls of Seasoning for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Allow the chicken to chill for about 15 minutes in the water bath.

Then, drain it into a colander set in the sink.

This will stop the chicken from cooking and makes sure it stays very tender.

Pot of Chicken Broth with Rice and Minced Ginger Next to Bowl of Chicken and Cutting Board with Minced Ginger for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Do not discard the hot chicken stock in the pot.

You will use it to cook the rice porridge.

you’re able to discard the onion.

Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) Chicken Shredded Next to Plate of More Chicken

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Cover the pot with a lid and bring it to the boil over medium heat.

Skim off any fat and foam that floats to the top with a large spoon.

Season the porridge with fish sauce and 1 teaspoon black pepper.

Thinly Sliced Cabbage, Onion, and Carrots on Cutting Board for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Add the pulled chicken on a large plate and toss with the remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper.

Toss well to combine.

Add the pulled chicken and cilantro, and toss to combine.

Plate of Vegetables for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Set a small frying pan over medium-low heat.

Add the oil and shallots, and fry until golden and crispy, stirring occasionally.

Transfer the shallots and the flavorful oil into a small bowl.

Minced Ginger and Pepper on Cutting Board Next to Other Ingredients for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) Dipping Sauce

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To serve, ladle the warm porridge into soup bowls.

I recommend providing each guest with a small bowl of the dipping sauce.

The salad is typically dipped into the sauce, not served on top of the porridge.

Bowls of Dipping Sauce for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Chao is best served immediately, but some would argue that making it ahead of time is even better.

Store it in the fridge for a couple of days.

Itll thicken up as it sits and the rice soaks up the broth.

Shallots in Pan with Oil for Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge)

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Loosen it by adding more broth or water when you reheat it either on the stovetop or microwave.

If reheating in the microwave, stir it well halfway through.

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Chào Gá (Vietnamese Rice Porridge) in a Bowl Surrounded by Platter of Vegetables and Bowl of Sauce

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