Description
Chicken Pad Thai is a quick and flavorful Thai noodle dish made with stir-fried rice noodles, tender chicken, eggs, fresh vegetables, and a tangy, sweet-savory tamarind-based sauce. Finished with crunchy peanuts and lime, it’s a balanced and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz flat rice noodles (about 1/4 inch wide)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 eggs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned (optional)
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- 2 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil
Pad Thai Sauce:
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste or concentrate
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or palm sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes or sriracha (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Soak rice noodles in warm water according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili flakes or sriracha (if using). Set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to the pan. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Push garlic to one side, crack in eggs, and scramble until just set.
- Add drained noodles, cooked chicken, and prepared Pad Thai sauce. Toss everything together until well coated and heated through.
- Stir in bean sprouts, green onions, and carrots (if using). Cook for 1–2 minutes more.
- Serve hot, topped with crushed peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Soak noodles just until tender to prevent mushiness during stir-frying.
- Use tofu or shrimp instead of chicken for variation.
- Adjust sugar, spice, and acidity in the sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Prepare all ingredients in advance, as the cooking process is quick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
