Pad Thai Recipe With Chicken Or Shrimp

What is Pad Thai?

Pad Thai is Thailands National dish and likely the most popular order at the majority of Thai restaurants here in the U.S. It is a noodle stir fry dish traditionally made up of rice noodles, shrimp, tofu, eggs and a deeply flavored, sweet and sour sauce. The sauce is usually consists of ingredients such as fish sauce, tamarind paste, dried shrimp and palm sugar.

Is This Authentic Pad Thai?

I’ll be the first to admit this is not the typical Pad Thai you’d find in Thailand. My version uses common ingredients found in the U.S. with a similar, and equally as delicious flavor to an authentic version. So, you won’t have to make a special trip to the Asian grocery store that may be 30 miles or more away from home. In this Pad Thai you’ll find tender pieces of chicken and lots of fresh vegetables and it’s all tossed with the most crave-worthy sauce, and of course, finished with an abundance of crunchy peanuts. You’ll see based off of the reviews and comments this has been a reader favorite! Try it for yourself and please leave a review in the comments below, I love to get reader feedback!

Pad Thai Recipe Video

How to Make Pad Thai and Pad Thai Sauce

Cook noodles: Prepare rice noodles according to directions listed on package. This usually includes soaking in very hot water or boiling noodles, until al dente. Then rinsing briefly to prevent sticking.

Prepare sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and fish sauce, set aside.

Cook chicken or shrimp: Heat oil in a wok or a 12-inch deep saute pan set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through, about 6 minutes. If using shrimp cook about 1 1/2 minutes per side or until opaque. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in pan.

Saute vegetables until crisp tender: Add bell pepper and carrots saute 1 – 2 minutes then add garlic, green onions and bean sprouts saute 1 minute longer.

Cook eggs: Push veggies to edges of pan and crack eggs into center. Cook and scramble until eggs have just set.

Stir fry everything together: Add in chicken, noodles and sauce and toss everything together and cook 1 – 2 minutes. Garnish: Serve warm topped with cilantro, peanuts and optional red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.

How can I Make a Healthier Pad Thai?

If you want to make this healthier:

Swap the white rice noodles with brown rice noodles Use low-sodium soy sauce Replace brown sugar with honey Use avocado oil or light olive oil in place of vegetable oil

What if I Can’t Find Bean Sprouts?

Bean sprouts may be the only ingredient you have difficulty finding in this recipe. Some grocery stores don’t carry them so if you can’t find them simply omit them from the recipe. If you’d like you could replace with another vegetable such as napa cabbage, snow peas or zucchini noodles.

Can I Use Beef in Place of Chicken or Shrimp?

This recipe can also be made with beef in place of chicken or shrimp. Use 1 lb. skirt steak cut into thin 2-inch strips (against the grain) and sear on high heat just briefly on each side (about 1 minute per each, to medium doneness).