Sizzling Chicken Pad Thai Recipe: A Flavorful Asian Delight

Tantalizing aromas of Southeast Asian cuisine fill the kitchen when you craft this authentic chicken pad thai recipe.

Street food memories dance through carefully balanced flavors and textures.

Each ingredient tells a story of Thailand’s rich culinary heritage.

Wok-seared chicken mingles with silky rice noodles, creating a symphony of taste.

Crisp bean sprouts and green onions add fresh, vibrant notes to the dish.

Fragrant tamarind sauce weaves its magic, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this classic thai street food favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

All You Need For Chicken Pad Thai

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor and nutritional value, choose boneless skinless breast for tender texture.
• Eggs: Provides rich protein and creamy texture, select fresh farm eggs for best results.
• Peanuts: Crunchy protein topping that delivers nutty depth, look for unsalted roasted varieties.

• Fish Sauce: Umami-rich seasoning that creates authentic Thai taste, select high-quality brands with balanced saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements with subtle sweetness, opt for dark brown sugar for deeper caramel notes.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright acidic undertone, choose clear varieties for clean flavor profile.
• Tamarind Paste: Delivers tangy complexity, select seedless paste for smoother consistency.
• Peanut Butter: Provides creamy thickness and nutty undertone, use natural unsweetened version.
• Chili Sauce: Introduces spicy kick, pick sriracha or Thai-style sauce for authentic heat.

• Rice Noodles: Core foundation of dish, select medium-width flat noodles for traditional pad thai.
• Bean Sprouts: Adds crisp freshness and light crunch, choose bright white sprouts without brown spots.
• Carrots: Introduces sweet vegetable note and vibrant color, use fresh crisp carrots.
• Green Onions: Provides sharp herbal accent, select bright green stalks with firm white bottoms.
• Garlic: Builds aromatic base, choose plump cloves without sprouting.
• Cilantro: Offers bright herbal finish, pick leaves with deep green color.

Wok Tools For Chicken Pad Thai Night

• Large Pan or Wok: Essential for stir-frying all ingredients evenly and quickly.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce components without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing chicken and chopping garnishes.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and chicken preparation.
• Measuring Spoons/Cups: Ensures accurate sauce ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and tossing ingredients in the pan.

Steps To Cook Chicken Pad Thai Like Takeout

• Fire Up the Wok

Get your wok sizzling hot with a splash of oil, ready to transform simple ingredients into a flavor explosion.

• Dance the Chicken

Toss sliced chicken into the wok, letting it sear and caramelize until golden brown and perfectly cooked.

• Egg Magic

Push the chicken aside and crack eggs into the pan, scrambling them quickly until they’re fluffy and light.

• Sauce Symphony

Pour your carefully crafted sauce over the ingredients, creating a glossy, tantalizing coating that will make mouths water.

• Noodle Tango

Slide in the rice noodles, twirling them through the sauce and other ingredients until everything is beautifully combined and heated through.

• Fresh Flair Finale

Sprinkle chopped peanuts, a handful of bean sprouts, and a squeeze of fresh lime to add crunch, brightness, and that signature Pad Thai zing.

• Plate and Celebrate

Transfer your culinary masterpiece to a serving plate, garnish with fragrant cilantro, and get ready to transport your taste buds to the streets of Thailand.

Flavor Hacks For Chicken Pad Thai

• Noodle Perfection: Soak rice noodles in warm water for a few minutes before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve that authentic soft texture.
• Wok Magic: Use a high-heat wok or large skillet to get those delicious caramelized edges and prevent soggy noodles.
• Sauce Balance: Taste and adjust the sauce before adding to the dish – the perfect pad thai has a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
• Quick Cooking: Stir-fry ingredients rapidly to maintain their crispness and prevent overcooking, keeping vegetables and proteins tender and flavorful.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace regular fish sauce with gluten-free fish sauce and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of fish sauce for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace rice noodles with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.

Serve Chicken Pad Thai Hot Off The Pan

• Quick Family-Style Plating: Pile the colorful pad thai onto a large serving platter, creating an inviting centerpiece that encourages sharing and family-style dining.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle extra chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and green onion slices around the edges for a vibrant, restaurant-quality presentation that adds crunch and freshness.
• Lime Squeeze Station: Serve with extra lime wedges on the side, allowing each person to customize their plate's tanginess and brightness according to personal taste preferences.
• Protein Power-Up: Offer additional protein options like grilled tofu, shrimp, or extra chicken on the side for guests wanting more substantial meal options or dietary variations.

Store Chicken Pad Thai The Tasty Way

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover Chicken Pad Thai in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh and safe for future enjoyment.
• Smart Cooling Technique: Place the meal in shallow containers to help it cool faster, preventing bacterial growth and maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Refrigerator Storage Window: Consume refrigerated Pad Thai within 3-4 days for the best quality and flavor, ensuring maximum enjoyment of your delicious creation.
• Reheating Magic Tip: Warm the noodles gently in a skillet with a splash of water or additional sauce, preventing dryness and reviving the original vibrant flavors of the dish.

Authentic Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade chicken pad thai delivers authentic Thai street flavors right to kitchen counters. Delicate rice noodles blend with tender chicken, creating a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) rice noodles
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce (or soy sauce for a milder option)
• 3 tbsps brown sugar (or honey)
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar (or lime juice)
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste (or extra lime juice)
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (optional, for a richer taste)
• 1 tsp chili sauce (Sriracha or red pepper flakes, optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 3 green onions, sliced
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. Noodle Preparation: Soak rice noodles in hot water according to package instructions until perfectly tender yet slightly resilient. Drain completely, eliminating all excess liquid.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend fish sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, tamarind paste, peanut butter, and chili sauce in a bowl. Whisk until smooth, allowing flavors to harmonize while preparing remaining ingredients.
3. Protein Cooking: Heat oil in a wok, sear chicken pieces until achieving golden-brown edges and optimal internal temperature. Remove and set aside on a separate plate.
4. Egg and Aromatics: In the same wok, sauté garlic until aromatic. Create a space and scramble eggs until softly set, maintaining a silky texture.
5. Combining Components: Reunite noodles and chicken, pour prepared sauce over the mixture. Toss vigorously, ensuring complete flavor distribution and coating of all ingredients.
6. Vegetable Integration: Add bean sprouts, carrots, and green onions to the wok. Quickly stir-fry, allowing vegetables to slightly soften while maintaining their crisp character.
7. Final Presentation: Remove from heat, garnish generously with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve immediately to preserve peak flavor and textural complexity.

Notes

• Noodle Prep Precision: Soak rice noodles in hot water exactly as package instructs to prevent mushiness or undercooking, which can ruin the dish’s signature texture.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and umami flavors; taste and adjust proportions for perfect flavor profile.
• High-Heat Cooking Technique: Use extremely hot wok or skillet to achieve authentic wok-hei flavor and prevent soggy ingredients, ensuring quick and crisp cooking of each component.
• Dietary Flexibility: Easily modify recipe for gluten-free diets by using tamari instead of fish sauce, or create vegan version by substituting chicken with tofu and eggs with scrambled silken tofu.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg