If you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting Pad Thai, you know why it’s a go-to for Thai food lovers around the world. Loaded with the tastes of tamarind paste, zesty lime, savoury peanuts, and a touch of sweetness., this dish combines taste and texture with the perfect balance. Today, we’ll explore a step-by-step Chicken Pad Thai recipe perfect for home cooks looking to recreate this favorite recipe.
Why Make This Chicken Pad Thai Recipe?
Creating at home allows you to control each ingredient, whether you want extra spice, a little more lime, or a lower-sodium version. Plus, making Pad Thai at home can be both enjoyable and rewarding. This dish pairs tender pieces of chicken with rice noodles and a medley of seasonings, all in just a single skillet.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste or substitute with lime juice if unavailable
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili paste optional, for a bit of heat
For the Dish
- 300 g about 2 cups rice noodles
- 2 chicken breasts thinly sliced
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 small carrot julienned
- 4 green onions sliced
- ½ cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped
Garnish
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Extra peanuts
Instructions
Prepare the Noodles
- Start by soaking the rice noodles in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they are soft but not mushy. Drain and set aside. This step ensures your noodles have the perfect appearance when stir-fried.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and chili paste. Stir until the sugar dissolves. This sauce is the heart of your Chicken Pad Thai Recipe, so take your time to balance the flavors.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tsp of oil in a large skillet. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan after heating it and setting it aside.
fry the garlic
- Add the remaining oil to the pan. Fry the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be attentive not to burn the garlic, might turn bitter.
Cook the Eggs
- Put the beaten eggs in the pan after pushing the garlic to one side. Scramble them gently until just set, then mix them with the garlic.
Stir-fry the Noodles
- Add the softened rice noodles to the pan, followed by the sauce. Put them all together so the noodles are evenly mixed with them. The heat will help the noodles absorb the sauce, intensifying the flavor.
Add the Veggies and Chicken
- Throw in the bean sprouts, carrots, green onions, and cooked chicken. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Garnish and Serve
- Transfer the Pad Thai to serving plates. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately while it’s hot and fresh.
FAQ
Can I Make This Chicken Pad Thai Recipe Vegetarian?
Absolutely. Simply swap out the chicken for tofu or extra vegetables like bell peppers and carrots. Replace the fish sauce with soy sauce to keep it vegetarian.
What Can I Use if I Can’t Find Tamarind Paste?
If you don’t have tamarind paste, substitute it with lime juice mixed with a little brown sugar for a similar tangy flavour.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover meals can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove to keep the noodles from becoming too soft.
Can I Add More Vegetables?
Feel free to add bell peppers, shredded carrots, or zucchini. Just be sure not to overcrowd the pan so the noodles stay perfectly coated.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Pad Thai
Pad Thai is often served with lime wedges, fresh bean sprouts, and a sprinkle of peanuts. Some even enjoy it with chilli flakes for a bit of heat. Pair it with a light cucumber salad or some steamed broccoli to add more greens to the meal.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a summary of the nutritional information for the Chicken Pad Thai Recipe based on typical serving sizes:
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~400-450 |
| Protein | Moderate (~25-30g) |
| Fat | Moderate, includes healthy fats |
| Carbohydrates | Moderate (~50g) |
| Fiber | Low to moderate (~3g) |
| Sodium | Moderate (~900mg) |
This chicken Pad Thai recipe serves about four people. Expect around 400-450 calories per serving, with moderate protein, carbs, and healthy fats from the peanuts and chicken.
How can I store Chicken Pad Thai?
To store the Chicken Pad Thai, transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. It can be safely stored for up to 3 days. When reheating, use a skillet on low heat to maintain the noodles’ texture and flavor. If the dish appears dry, add a splash of water or a bit of sauce during reheating to restore its consistency. For best results, avoid freezing as the noodles may lose their texture.
Chicken Pad Thai originates from Thailand and is one of the country’s most iconic dishes. Its roots date back to the 1930s-1940s, during the rule of Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram. At the time, Thailand was seeking to strengthen its national identity, and Pad Thai was promoted as a unifying dish.
Phibunsongkhram encouraged Thai citizens to embrace this noodle dish as part of their culture, partially as an effort to reduce rice consumption during World War II, since rice was a key export product. Pad Thai combined ingredients that were relatively inexpensive and accessible, making it an ideal everyday meal.
Historic of Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
The dish itself is influenced by Chinese cooking techniques, such as stir-frying, and incorporates Thai flavors like tamarind, fish sauce, and peanuts. While traditional Pad Thai is made with shrimp or tofu, variations like Chicken Pad Thai have become popular worldwide, catering to different preferences.
Today, Chicken Pad Thai is celebrated for its balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors and remains a staple of Thai cuisine globally.
Chicken Pad Thai Recipe
Ingrédients
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste or substitute with lime juice if unavailable
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili paste optional, for a bit of heat
For the Dish
- 300 g about 2 cups rice noodles
- 2 chicken breasts thinly sliced
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 small carrot julienned
- 4 green onions sliced
- ½ cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped
For Garnish
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Extra peanuts
Instructions
Prepare the Noodles
- Start by soaking the rice noodles in warm water for about 10-15 minutes until they are soft but not mushy. Drain and set aside. This step ensures your noodles have the perfect appearance when stir-fried.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and chili paste. Stir until the sugar dissolves. This sauce is the heart of your Chicken Pad Thai Recipe, so take your time to balance the flavors.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tsp of oil in a large skillet. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan after heating it and setting it aside.
fry the garlic
- Add the remaining oil to the pan. Fry the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be attentive not to burn the garlic, might turn bitter.
Cook the Eggs
- Put the beaten eggs in the pan after pushing the garlic to one side. Scramble them gently until just set, then mix them with the garlic.
Stir-fry the Noodles
- Add the softened rice noodles to the pan, followed by the sauce. Put them all together so the noodles are evenly mixed with them. The heat will help the noodles absorb the sauce, intensifying the flavor.
Add the Veggies and Chicken
- Throw in the bean sprouts, carrots, green onions, and cooked chicken. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Garnish and Serve
- Transfer the Pad Thai to serving plates. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately while it’s hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
This chicken Pad Thai recipe combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, bringing a balanced taste to your plate. It’s a dish that feels exotic and special but is easy enough to make on a weeknight.
Once you try making this chicken Pad Thai recipe at home, it will become a household favorite. With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, you’ll have a delicious meal that rivals takeout. Enjoy the experience of creating your version of this Thai classic, experimenting with flavors, and making it uniquely yours. If you would like to prepper your dessert take a look at this recipe https://quickrrecipes.com/vanilla-slice-recipe/