Authentic Pad Thai with Chicken: A Taste of Thailand at Home

Ingredients

  • 200g rice noodles
  • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, crushed
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • For the Pad Thai sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Steps and instructions

  1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20-30 minutes until they are soft. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the noodles are soaking, prepare the Pad Thai sauce: combine fish sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  3. In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it's fragrant.
  4. Add the sliced chicken to the pan and cook until it's no longer pink and is fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
  5. In the same pan, add the lightly beaten eggs and scramble them. Once cooked, remove from the pan and set aside with the chicken.
  6. Add the soaked and drained noodles to the pan. Pour over half of the Pad Thai sauce and toss to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are soft.
  7. Add the cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, sliced bell pepper, and chopped green onions to the pan. Pour over the remaining sauce and toss everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  8. Serve the Pad Thai topped with crushed peanuts, a wedge of lime, and fresh cilantro.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Shrimp Pad Thai: Substitute the chicken with peeled and deveined shrimp.
  • Tofu Pad Thai: Replace the chicken with tofu cubes for a vegetarian version.
  • Vegetable Pad Thai: Omit the chicken and add a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and snow peas.
  • Pork Pad Thai: Swap the chicken with thinly sliced pork tenderloin.
  • Beef Pad Thai: Use thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak instead of chicken.
  • Spicy Pad Thai: Add some heat by incorporating sliced Thai chili peppers or chili flakes.
  • Peanut Pad Thai: Mix in a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to the Pad Thai sauce for a nutty twist.
  • Seafood Pad Thai: Combine chicken, shrimp, and scallops for a seafood medley.
  • Egg Pad Thai: Increase the number of eggs or add additional beaten eggs for an extra eggy Pad Thai.
  • Mushroom Pad Thai: Include a variety of mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, or oyster mushrooms for a rich and earthy flavor.

Recipe overview

Relish the flavors of Thailand in your home with this authentic Pad Thai with Chicken recipe. This dish combines tender chicken and soft rice noodles with a tangy Pad Thai sauce to create a delicious, hearty, and satisfying meal. In this recipe, we'll guide you through how to make both the Pad Thai and the sauce from scratch. You'll start by soaking the rice noodles and preparing the Pad Thai sauce, which is a delightful blend of fish sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar. You'll then sauté garlic, cook your chicken, and scramble some eggs. Lastly, you'll stir-fry everything together along with bean sprouts, red bell pepper, and green onions. The result is a mouth-watering Pad Thai with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors, topped with crushed peanuts for a delightful crunch, and finished with a squeeze of fresh lime and a sprinkle of cilantro. This recipe serves 4 and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual lunch. Enjoy!

Common questions

  1. Can I use different protein instead of chicken? Yes, you can substitute chicken with shrimp, tofu, or beef, depending on your preference.
  2. Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan? Yes, you can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using tofu or extra vegetables as a substitute. For a vegan version, make sure to use a vegan-friendly fish sauce substitute or omit it altogether.
  3. Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish? Absolutely! If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the amount of chili or chili sauce called for in the recipe. If you enjoy spicier food, feel free to add extra chili or chili sauce according to your taste.
  4. Can I prepare the sauce in advance? Yes, you can prepare the Pad Thai sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using it in the recipe.
  5. Can I add other vegetables or ingredients? Certainly! Pad Thai is versatile, and you can add other vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, or mushrooms. You can also customize it with additional toppings like crushed peanuts, sliced lime, or fresh herbs.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pan or wok - A large pan or wok is essential for cooking the Pad Thai and tossing the ingredients together.
  • Small bowl - You will need a small bowl to mix the Pad Thai sauce.
  • Whisk or fork - Use a whisk or fork to stir and dissolve the sugar in the Pad Thai sauce.
  • Tongs or spatula - Tongs or a spatula will help with flipping and stirring the chicken and noodles.
  • Knife - A knife is necessary for slicing the chicken, garlic, bell pepper, and green onions.
  • Cutting board - Use a cutting board to safely chop and prepare the ingredients.
  • Strainer or colander - A strainer or colander is needed to drain the soaked rice noodles.
  • Ladle or spoon - Use a ladle or spoon to pour the Pad Thai sauce over the noodles and toss the ingredients together.
  • Measuring spoons - Measuring spoons are useful for accurately measuring the fish sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar for the Pad Thai sauce.

Origin stories

Originating from Thailand, Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish that is commonly served as a street food and at most restaurants in Thailand as part of the country's cuisine. While the dish has a long history, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it truly rose to fame. During World War II, Thailand faced a rice shortage. To combat this, the Thai government promoted the consumption of noodles instead. The dish known as Pad Thai was created during this period and has been a beloved part of Thai cuisine ever since. Interestingly, despite its rich flavors and intricate combination of ingredients, the name "Pad Thai" simply translates to "Thai-style stir-fried noodles".

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.