Irresistible Chicken Pad Thai Recipe for Homemade Bliss

Whipping up a delightful chicken pad thai always sparks culinary excitement in my kitchen.

Noodles dance with vibrant flavors that transport you straight to Bangkok’s bustling streets.

Authentic ingredients blend together in a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes.

Personal touches make this classic dish sing with unexpected brightness.

Crunchy bean sprouts and tender chicken create a perfect balance of textures.

Colorful herbs and zesty lime weave magic into every single bite.

You’ll find this recipe surprisingly simple yet incredibly delicious.

Grab your wok and let the cooking adventure begin!

Chicken Pad Thai Recipe Snapshot

• Master this restaurant-style dish with simple steps and basic ingredients, even if you're new to cooking Asian cuisine.
• Packed with tangy, sweet, and savory notes that will satisfy everyone from kids to adventurous food lovers.
• Easily swap proteins, adjust spice levels, or add extra veggies to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Everything That Goes in Chicken Pad Thai

• Rice Noodles: Soft, flat noodles that absorb the delicious sauce, essential for authentic pad thai texture.

• Chicken, Eggs: Lean protein that adds substance and richness to the dish, preferably boneless and skinless chicken breast.

• Fish Sauce, Brown Sugar, Rice Vinegar, Tamarind Paste, Peanut Butter, Chili Sauce: Combination creates a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with tamarind providing a signature tangy taste.

• Bean Sprouts, Carrots, Green Onions, Peanuts, Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Fresh vegetables and crunchy toppings that add texture, color, and bright, fresh notes to the final dish.

• Vegetable Oil, Garlic: Neutral oil for cooking and aromatic garlic for depth of flavor, choose fresh garlic for best results.

How to Make Chicken Pad Thai at Home

Step 1: Soften The Noodles

Boil rice noodles in water until tender. Drain completely and set aside.

Step 2: Whisk Incredible Sauce

• Fish sauce
• Brown sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Tamarind paste
• Peanut butter
• Chili sauce

Blend ingredients until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle The Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high temperature.

Add chicken slices and cook until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 4: Create Fluffy Eggs

In the same cooking pan, add fresh oil and quickly sauté minced garlic.

Create a small space and pour beaten eggs. Scramble gently until just set.

Step 5: Merge Flavors Together

Add prepared noodles, cooked chicken, and whisked sauce into the pan.

Toss ingredients thoroughly to ensure complete coating.

• Bean sprouts
• Shredded carrots
• Chopped green onions

Cook for short moments until vegetables slightly soften.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Transfer to serving plates.

• Crushed peanuts
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges

Enjoy immediately while hot and delicious.

Tips to Improve Chicken Pad Thai Cooking

• Customize Noodle Texture: Soak rice noodles briefly for softer, more authentic pad thai consistency without overcooking.
• Sauce Balance Trick: Taste and adjust sauce ingredients to achieve perfect sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile by adding more fish sauce or brown sugar as needed.
• Protein Swap Solution: Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef to create versatile meal options suitable for different dietary preferences.
• Spice Level Control: Add chili sauce incrementally or serve separately so each person can customize heat intensity according to personal tolerance.
• Quick Stir-Fry Technique: Keep ingredients moving constantly in high heat to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of noodles and proteins.

How to Keep Chicken Pad Thai Fresh

• Store leftover Pad Thai in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and restore moisture.
• Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.
• Skip freezing as rice noodles become mushy and lose their delightful chewy texture when thawed.

What Tastes Great with Chicken Pad Thai

• Crack open a cold Singha or Chang beer to complement the spicy and tangy flavors of Pad Thai, cutting through the richness of the dish.
• Brew a light, fragrant lemongrass iced tea that provides a cooling counterpoint to the warm, savory noodles and adds a traditional Thai beverage experience.
• Select a slightly sweet, low-alcohol Riesling with citrus notes that balances the dish's complex sweet, sour, and spicy profile while enhancing the overall meal.
• Serve light, chilled Vietnamese-style spring rolls with a clean herb and vegetable filling to create a refreshing side that contrasts the warm Pad Thai's intense flavors.

Chicken Pad Thai with a Twist

• Vegetarian Pad Thai: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, sautéed until golden. Swap fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rice noodles and tamari instead of traditional soy sauce. Ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice noodles with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Reduce brown sugar or use a sugar substitute for fewer carbohydrates.
• Spicy Seafood Variation: Swap chicken with shrimp or mixed seafood. Increase chili sauce or add fresh red chili peppers for extra heat and flavor.

FAQs of Chicken Pad Thai

• What are the key ingredients for authentic Pad Thai?

The key ingredients include rice noodles, chicken, eggs, fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, bean sprouts, green onions, and peanuts. These components create the signature sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile of traditional Pad Thai.

• Is Pad Thai considered a healthy dish?

Pad Thai can be nutritionally balanced with protein from chicken, eggs, and peanuts, and vegetables like bean sprouts and carrots. However, it’s moderately high in calories and carbohydrates, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.

• What makes fish sauce crucial in Pad Thai?

Fish sauce provides a deep umami flavor and saltiness that is fundamental to Thai cuisine. It adds complexity and depth to the dish, creating an authentic taste that cannot be easily substituted with other condiments.

• Can I make Pad Thai vegetarian?

Yes, you can replace chicken with tofu or additional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms. Ensure you maintain the core sauce ingredients to preserve the traditional Pad Thai flavor profile.

Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor authentic Chicken Pad Thai, a culinary masterpiece from Thailand that dances with tangy, sweet, and umami notes. Delicate rice noodles intertwine with tender chicken, creating a street-food classic you’ll crave long after the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

Noodles and Vegetables

• 8 ounces (226 g) rice noodles
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Garnish

• ¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce (or soy sauce for a milder option)
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) brown sugar (or honey)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice vinegar (or lime juice)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tamarind paste (or extra lime juice)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) peanut butter (optional, for a richer taste)
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili sauce (Sriracha or red pepper flakes, optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (30 g) chopped peanuts
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. Immerse rice noodles in boiling water, following package guidelines until they reach a tender yet firm consistency. Carefully drain and reserve.
2. Craft a harmonious sauce by blending fish sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, tamarind paste, peanut butter, and chili sauce in a mixing vessel. Let the flavors meld while preparing other components.
3. Warm a large skillet or traditional wok with a drizzle of oil over robust heat. Introduce sliced chicken, searing until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer protein to a temporary plate.
4. In the same cooking surface, introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate. Create a small clearing and pour beaten eggs, gently scrambling until just transforming from liquid to soft curds.
5. Reunite the previously prepared ingredients – noodles, seared chicken, and nuanced sauce – into the pan. Toss with precision to ensure complete coating and flavor integration.
6. Incorporate vibrant bean sprouts, julienned carrots, and delicate green onions. Allow ingredients to mingle and warm through for a brief two-minute interval.
7. Conclude the culinary journey by removing from heat. Elevate the dish’s visual and textural appeal by generously sprinkling chopped peanuts, scattering fresh cilantro, and presenting lime wedges alongside.

Notes

• Perfectly cook rice noodles by slightly undercooking them, as they’ll continue absorbing sauce and softening when stir-fried.
• Balance sauce’s tangy and sweet profile by adjusting fish sauce and brown sugar quantities to personal taste preferences.
• Prevent chicken from becoming tough by cutting into uniform thin slices and avoiding overcooking during the initial searing process.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting tamari for fish sauce and ensuring all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Enhance protein options by swapping chicken with tofu, shrimp, or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 370 mg