Love salty? What about sweet or spicy? Or perhaps you enjoy sour…

If you favor all four, you are going to love this Thai recipe!

Typical Thai food balances salty, sweet, sour, and spicy to bring you one delicious bite and meal, this Pad Thai included!

Just imagine tender Pad Thai noodles topped with juicy chicken and vibrant veggies, which comes together in a slightly sweet and savory Pad Thai sauce. Better yet, imagine Pad Thai low in calories yet overloaded with nutrients and flavor!

Creating such a flavor profile with health in mind might seem complex. However, all you need to make this Pad Thai are just a few simple ingredients found at the common grocery store and a quick 35 minutes.

Find out how to whip up our chicken Pad Thai recipe that is authentic in flavor and packed with nutrients!

Authentic Chicken Pad Thai Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition per serving: 370 calories, 11 g fat, 28 g protein, 41 g total carb, 5 g fiber

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1, 8-oz package brown rice noodles
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, sliced into even, thin strips
• 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and julienne sliced
• 1 1/2 cup carrots, matchstick
• 5 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup peanuts, unsalted and chopped
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
• Optional garnishes: red pepper flakes, sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Prepare the rice noodles according to package directions. This is often soaked in warm water rather than boiled over the stovetop. (Save the water for a pro tip offered in step #5!)

2. While noodles are cooking, whisk together sauce ingredients. This includes soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, lime juice, and fish sauce in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

3. Heat sesame oil in a wok or a deep saute pan set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Once cooked, transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

4. Add red bell pepper and carrots to the hot pan and saute 2 minutes. Then add green onions, garlic, and bean sprouts and saute 1 minute longer, until fragrant.

5. To the vegetable mixture, add back the chicken along with the cooked noodles and sauce. Toss everything together and cook for 2 minutes until all ingredients are coated. If the dish starts to become dry, add back moisture by adding a bit of the water used to soak the noodles.

6. Serve warm topped with cilantro, peanuts, and optional garnishes.

7. Pair with sesame sugar snap peas and other ideas listed below!

Bonus Ways to Enjoy Pad Thai

One of the greatest aspects of Thai food is its flexibility to be completely one-of-a-kind. Besides, everyone has different, subjective ideas regarding salty, sweet, spicy, and sour levels!

Looking for shrimp Pad Thai? Rather have a plant-based option? Use bonus ways to customize and serve up this dish!

Swap Protein Sources

Pad Thai tastes great with chicken, though the dish can also take on other types of protein. These include meats and plant-based sources, including:

• Eggs
• Pork
• Prawns
• Shrimp
• Tempeh
• Tofu

Also feel free to mix and combine protein sources, including tofu and chicken, tempeh and shrimp, whathaveyou.

Add Other Mix-Ins & Garnishes

Adding other mix-ins and garnishes can truly customize Pad Thai to best fit your personal flavor preferences.

From a pop of heat with chili flakes to a nuttier flavor with peanut butter, consider adding these ingredients to take your dish to the next level:

• Bean sprouts
• Chili flakes
• Garlic chives
• Jalapeños
• Paprika
• Peanut butter
• Pickled daikon radish
• Scallions
• Sriracha
• Tamarind concentrate

What does your favorite bowl of Pad Thai consist of?