Description
This easy Chicken Pad Thai recipe delivers vibrant flavors, textures, and colors with tender chicken breast, fresh vegetables, a tangy tamarind (natural) sauce, crunchy toasted peanuts, and fragrant herbs. Perfect for a quick, nutritious dinner ready in under 30 minutes, it brings the authentic taste of Thailand to your kitchen with a wholesome all-in-one meal that is customizable and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
Noodles
- 8 oz rice noodles
Vegetables
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Sauce
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste (natural)
- 2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup grape juice
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent (optional)
Flavor base
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, minced
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1/4 cup peanuts, toasted
- 1 fresh lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles and sauce: Soak the rice noodles in warm water until tender but still firm to the bite, then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, whisk together tamarind paste (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, grape juice, and a dash of natural gelling agent to create your flavorful Pad Thai sauce.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a splash of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced chicken breast and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and vegetables: In the same pan, add minced garlic and shallots, cooking until fragrant. Toss in your fresh veggies like carrots and bell peppers, stirring to maintain a crisp-tender texture.
- Combine noodles, chicken, and sauce: Return the chicken to the pan, add the drained noodles, and pour over the prepared sauce. Gently toss everything together over medium heat until noodles are coated and heated through.
- Add final touches: Stir in bean sprouts and green onions, then sprinkle toasted peanuts on top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro to brighten every bite.
Notes
- Prep in advance by soaking noodles and chopping vegetables before cooking for smoother workflow.
- Do not overcook noodles; keep them slightly firm to avoid mushiness.
- Use fresh tamarind paste (natural) for authentic tangy flavor.
- Toast peanuts yourself to enhance flavor and crunch.
- Cook over medium-high heat for quick stir-frying and to keep vegetables crisp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Chicken Pad Thai, Thai chicken recipe, gluten free Pad Thai, quick Thai dinner, tamarind sauce
