In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the star anise, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, and cardamom seeds for 1-2 minutes.
Then add in the cloves, ginger, and garlic and sauté for another minute. The spices should become fragrant.
Scrape the spices into the bottom of your crockpot (use water if needed). Add the chicken and cilantro to the crockpot.
Cover the chicken with filtered water. Ideally, you want the top of the chicken to be covered by at least an inch of water.
Cook the pho on high for 4 hours.
Once the pho is cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and shred with two forks. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot.
Taste the broth and add salt as needed. If the broth is lacking flavor, make sure to add enough salt and lime juice while serving.
Now it is time to serve! First, add the noodles to the bowl followed by the soup. You may need to let the bowls cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with your desired toppings and enjoy!