Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (2024)

This super easy Chicken Pad Thai Recipe is filled with tender strips of chicken breast, silky rice noodles and loads of veggies in a quick and easy sauce.

One of my go-to items to order when I visit a Thai restaurant is their classic Pad Thai dish. Whether it’s filled with shrimp, tofu or chicken, it’s always sure to be a hit.

Pad Thai is a traditional noodle dish from Thailand. It’s filled with wide rice noodles, scrambled eggs, your choice of protein and veggies in a light sauce that’s comprised of soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar and lime juice.

How To Make Classic Pad Thai

SLICED CHICKEN BREAST Since we’re making Chicken Pad Thai, we’re going to start with cutting our chicken breast into thin strips. This helps the chicken cook quickly and remains tender and juicy.

If you wanted to make this recipe with shrimp, you’ll simply swap out the chicken for shrimp and cook the shrimp until they are no longer opaque.

CABBAGE OR BEAN SPROUTS? Traditional Pad Thai would use fresh bean sprouts, but they can be difficult to find sometimes, so that’s why I opt for the shredded cabbage.

Easy Pad Thai Sauce

Pad Thai sauce is comprised of soy sauce (or tamarind paste), fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and lightly sweetened with brown sugar to give it the perfect balance. You can add some heat to the sauce with a little Sriracha sauce.

Some people think that Pad Thai is filled with peanut butter, but that’s not the case here. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of crushed, unsalted peanuts on top, or sometimes served on the side along with a lime wedge.

PRO TIP:Add a tablespoon of water at a time to your Pad Thai if you find that the sauce is not enough to keep the noodles from sticking together.

Why Is My Pad Thai Sticky or Dry?

After exhaustive research, I’ve cracked the code on how to get silky smooth noodles, resulting in the BEST Pad Thai.

One of the biggest struggles when making Pad Thai at home is the noodles can become too sticky or dry.

Following these tips, should result in a silky smooth, slippery noodle that’s absolutely delicious!

• Cook your rice noodles according to package instructions, just until they’re *almost* tender. They should still have some bite to them.
• Drain them off and run a little cold water over them to remove any excess starches.
• Immediately toss your noodles into the hot wok with the veggies and sauce, along with a about 1/3 cup of water and finish cooking them in the wok until they’re perfectly tender.
• If the sauce is still looking a little dry, add in an extra tablespoon or two of water until it becomes silky smooth.

What Noodles To Use For Pad Thai?

Pad Thai uses a wide, flat rice noodle, which can typically be found in the Asian aisle of the grocery store. The box I use is 14oz.

There is a variety of brands available and amounts can vary per package.

PRO TIP: If you’re using less noodles, you’ll need to use less water at the end of cooking. If you’re using more noodles, you might need to add extra water. Just keep checking it and test as you go.

Tips & Variations

When it comes to making Pad Thai, there are lots of different ways to switch it up and make it your own. Here are some tips and variations to keep in mind…

• Feel free to swap out any sort of stir fry veggies that you prefer. Just make sure they’re cut into thin strips or small pieces so they’re quick to cook.
• I’m using two cups of finely shredded cabbage [coleslaw mix] in place of the traditional bean sprouts, but if you find bean sprouts, go for it!
• Swap out the sliced chicken breast for shrimp or even tofu.
• Kick up the heat with some added Sriracha to the sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes. I like to add Sriracha to my bowl, while keeping the rest kid-friendly.
• When scrambling your eggs, try to not incorporate the eggs with the rest of veggies until they’re fully scrambled. Otherwise it’ll give the dish a grainy texture when finished.
• This recipe makes a lot, so using a large Wok is preferred to hold all the ingredients.

More Asian Take-Out Recipes To Try at Home

• Kung Pao Chicken
• Easy Shrimp Fried Rice
• Egg Drop Soup
• Super Easy Mongolian Beef

My family and I really love this super simple Pad Thai recipe. It’s a quick favorite, especially because it’s so filling for pretty cheap.

The silky noodles, tender chicken and crisp veggies pair perfectly with the crunchy peanuts and aromatic cilantro. Don’t skip the lime wedges as they are great for adding a burst of bright flavor!

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