Chicken Pad Thai – This Thai stir-fry combines rice noodles, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a tamarind-based sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: Sweet, tangy, salty, and umami-packed sauce.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Adaptable for different proteins, spice levels, and dietary preferences.
- Authentically Inspired: Features traditional ingredients like tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar for a restaurant-quality taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced.
- Rice Noodles: Medium-width rice stick noodles for that perfect chewy texture.
- Vegetables: Bean sprouts, green onions, and carrots add crunch and freshness.
- Eggs: Lightly scrambled into the noodles for a velvety touch.
- Sauce: A mix of tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar.
- Peanuts: Crushed peanuts for crunch and nuttiness.
- Garnishes: Lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and chili flakes.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Pad Thai
- Prep Everything First: Stir-frying happens quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped and within arm’s reach.
- Soak Noodles Properly: Follow the package instructions to soak or boil the rice noodles until al dente. Overcooked noodles will turn mushy.
- Use a Wok or Large Skillet: High heat and plenty of room allow for even cooking and better caramelization.
- Balance the Sauce: Adjust the tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar to find your preferred sweet-tangy balance.
- Don’t Skip the Peanuts: The crunch and flavor are integral to an authentic Pad Thai experience.
Variations to Try
Shrimp Pad Thai
Substitute chicken with large shrimp for a seafood twist.
Vegetarian Pad Thai
Replace chicken with tofu or extra vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers. Use soy sauce instead of fish sauce for a vegetarian-friendly dish.
Spicy Pad Thai
Add extra Thai chili flakes or a splash of Sriracha to the sauce for a fiery kick.
Gluten-Free Pad Thai
Ensure your soy sauce and fish sauce are gluten-free, and you’re good to go!
Peanut-Free Pad Thai
Skip the peanuts and replace them with toasted sesame seeds for a nut-free alternative.
How to Serve Chicken Pad Thai
- Plated with Garnishes: Serve hot, topped with crushed peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.
- Family-Style: Place a large serving bowl in the center of the table for everyone to help themselves.
- Side Dish Suggestions: Pair with Thai spring rolls or a fresh papaya salad for a complete Thai-inspired meal.
How to Store and Reheat
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Avoid leaving the dish at room temperature for too long to maintain freshness.
Reheating
- Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the noodles.
- Microwave with a damp paper towel covering the dish to retain moisture.
Freezing
- While Pad Thai is best fresh, you can freeze it in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat gently to avoid texture changes.
Recipe FAQs
What is tamarind paste, and where can I find it?
Tamarind paste is a tangy, slightly sweet concentrate made from the tamarind fruit. You can find it in the Asian section of most grocery stores or at specialty Asian markets.
Can I make Pad Thai without tamarind?
While tamarind is a key ingredient, you can substitute it with a mix of lime juice and brown sugar in a pinch. However, the flavor won’t be as authentic.
Why are my noodles clumping together?
Clumping can happen if the noodles are overcooked or left sitting after draining. Toss them in a bit of oil to prevent sticking.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the sauce and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Cook the noodles and stir-fry right before serving for the best texture.
Is Chicken Pad Thai healthy?
Chicken Pad Thai can be a balanced meal with lean protein, vegetables, and moderate portions of noodles. You can also adjust the sauce’s sweetness and oil to make it lighter.
Chicken Pad Thai
Chicken Pad Thai - This Thai stir-fry combines rice noodles, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a tamarind-based sauce.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large chicken breast (pounded to ½ inch thick, chopped bite-sized)
- 8 oz flat rice noodles, cooked al dente
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- ⅓ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup sliced white onions
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- Optional: Peanuts for garnish
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in a hot wok or pan over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, stirring until fully cooked. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, lime juice, red pepper flakes, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, peanut butter, and soy sauce.
- In the same pan, crack in the eggs and fry for a minute. Break them up with a spoon and toss in white onions and bean sprouts.
- Add the chicken back into the pan along with the sauce. Toss in the cooked noodles, stirring to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
- Stir in green onions and cilantro. Plate your Pad Thai and garnish with crushed peanuts if desired.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 247Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 119mgSodium 1061mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 2gSugar 12gProtein 18g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Making Chicken Pad Thai at home is simpler than you think, and it offers endless possibilities for personalization. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with variations, this dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends. So, grab your wok and get cooking!
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