Name: Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 8 ounces flat rice noodles; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced); 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons tamarind paste; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 large eggs (lightly beaten); 1 cup bean sprouts; 3 green onions (sliced into 1-inch pieces); 1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts (chopped); 1 lime (cut into wedges)

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If you’ve been searching for a flavorful, quick stir-fry noodle dinner that brings restaurant-quality taste to your own kitchen, look no further than this Chicken Pad Thai Recipe. Bursting with the sweet, tangy, and savory punch you love from your favorite Thai takeout, this classic dish combines tender chicken, chewy rice noodles, crisp bean sprouts, and a just-right sauce for a meal that’s truly satisfying. Ready in just about 30 minutes, it hits all the right notes for an easy weeknight dinner that feels like a treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chicken Pad Thai Recipe is built on a handful of simple but essential ingredients. Each one brings something important to the table – bold flavors, irresistible textures, or vibrant color. Don’t skip anything if you want that true Thai street food magic!

Flat rice noodles: These wide, chewy noodles soak up all that delicious sauce and give classic Pad Thai its unmistakable texture.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil for stir-frying ensures everything cooks quickly and evenly without overpowering the aromatics.
Chicken breasts: Thin slices cook fast and stay juicy; feel free to swap in shrimp or tofu for variety.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a sweet, pungent backbone to every bite.
Eggs: Scrambled eggs swirl seamlessly through the noodles, adding richness and color.
Bean sprouts: They bring a fresh crunch that beautifully balances chewy noodles and tender chicken.
Green onions: Just-tender and slightly sharp, these finish the dish with bright flavor and color.
Roasted unsalted peanuts: Crunchy and savory, these are a must for topping off Pad Thai with authentic flair.
Lime: Zesty wedges provide a fresh citrus squeeze that makes all the flavors sing.
Fish sauce: Deeply savory, this anchors the umami in your classic Pad Thai sauce.
Tamarind paste: Brings signature Pad Thai tang—no other ingredient has that special pucker!
Brown sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness that balances the salty and sour elements perfectly.
Soy sauce: Amplifies the savory depth; use gluten-free if needed!
Rice vinegar: Just a splash for gentle acidity that keeps flavors bright.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Give your Pad Thai a customizable kick—spicy or mild, up to you!

How to Make Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Noodles

Start by cooking your flat rice noodles according to the package directions. You want them chewy and just-tender, not mushy, so keep an eye on them! Once they’re ready, drain and set aside. A quick toss with a little oil helps prevent them from sticking together.

Step 2: Mix Up the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. This bold, glossy sauce is the secret behind every exceptional Chicken Pad Thai Recipe, blending salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy notes into one irresistible powerhouse.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken

Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok set over medium-high heat. Add your thinly sliced chicken and let it sizzle until golden and cooked through—about 5 to 6 minutes. Set it aside so it stays juicy while you prep the other goodies.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics and Egg

Add the second tablespoon of oil to the hot pan, toss in the minced garlic, and stir until fragrant—just half a minute. Push the garlic to the side, pour in your beaten eggs, and scramble them until almost set, creating those lovely eggy ribbons you find in a great Pad Thai.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Now for the magic! Return the chicken to the pan along with cooked noodles and your vibrant sauce. Toss everything vigorously so the noodles are glossy, coated, and steaming hot. Just before serving, add bean sprouts and green onions, stirring briefly to keep their crunch and color intact.

How to Serve Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

Garnishes

Garnishing is more than just decoration—it’s the finishing touch that elevates your Chicken Pad Thai Recipe from homemade to restaurant-worthy. Don’t skip the handful of chopped roasted peanuts for crunch, and generous lime wedges for everyone to squeeze over their own plate. Add extra green onions or a scatter of fresh cilantro for bonus flavor!

Side Dishes

If you’re craving a full Thai experience, serve this with light sides like a cucumber salad, Thai iced tea, or a bowl of clear chicken broth. The flavors pair beautifully and give you that authentic, bustling street market feel.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try serving Chicken Pad Thai Recipe family-style in a big communal platter, or portion it into small bowls for individual servings. You can also offer a DIY toppings bar with extra chili flakes, sriracha, crushed peanuts, and fresh herbs so guests can customize every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), let the Pad Thai cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay tasty for up to three days, making it perfect for lunches or lightning-fast dinners later in the week.

Freezing

While Chicken Pad Thai can be frozen, keep in mind that noodles might soften a bit when thawed. For best results, freeze the cooked chicken, sauce, and veggies separately from the noodles, then reheat and combine just before eating. This keeps the texture as close to fresh as possible.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen up the noodles. Stir gently until hot, refreshing with extra lime juice or chili flakes as needed. The flavors really seem to deepen overnight, so next-day Chicken Pad Thai Recipe is never a disappointment!

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Pad Thai Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free soy sauce (also known as tamari), and double-check your other condiments for hidden gluten. The classic rice noodles are already naturally gluten-free.

What can I substitute for tamarind paste?

If tamarind paste is hard to find, try mixing in extra lime juice with a touch more brown sugar. While it won’t be exactly the same, it comes closer than you’d expect for that sweet-sour balance.

Can I use a different protein?

Definitely! Shrimp or tofu work beautifully in this dish, and you can even use thin-sliced pork or beef if you’re feeling adventurous. Just adjust the cooking times so your protein stays tender and juicy.

How do I keep the noodles from sticking together?

The trick is to cook them until just done, rinse them with cold water, and toss with a little oil before setting aside. Also, add them to the pan right before tossing with sauce for perfect texture every time.

Is Chicken Pad Thai Recipe spicy?

It’s mildly spicy from the crushed red pepper flakes, but you’re in control—you can dial the heat up with extra chili or sriracha, or keep it kid-friendly by leaving the spicy stuff out. Make it your own!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like making your own Chicken Pad Thai Recipe from scratch—the flavors are bold, the process is fun, and the end result is truly rewarding. If you’re ready to upgrade your weeknight dinner routine, or want to impress friends with your Thai cooking skills, this recipe is bound to be a new favorite. Give it a try, and let the magic happen right in your kitchen!

Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Chicken Pad Thai recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make Thai noodle dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With a flavorful sauce, tender chicken, and crunchy peanuts, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice Noodles:

8 ounces flat rice noodles

Chicken:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced)

Sauce:

3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons tamarind paste
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Additional Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
1 cup bean sprouts
3 green onions (sliced into 1-inch pieces)
1/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts (chopped)
1 lime (cut into wedges)

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Instructions

Cook the Rice Noodles: Prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
Cook the Chicken: Cook chicken in a skillet until fully cooked and lightly browned. Set aside.
Prepare the Dish: Sauté garlic, add beaten eggs, then noodles, chicken, and sauce. Toss until well coated and heated through.
Finalize and Serve: Stir in bean sprouts and green onions. Garnish with peanuts and lime wedges before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding chili flakes or sriracha.
Shrimp or tofu can be used as substitutes for chicken.
If tamarind paste is unavailable, use additional lime juice with a touch of brown sugar.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Thai