Homemade Chicken Pad Thai Recipe – Thai Special

Chicken Pad Thai is a beloved Thai street food dish made with rice noodles stir-fried in a sweet-savory-tangy sauce, tossed with tender chicken, eggs, crunchy peanuts, and fresh herbs. It’s incredibly flavorful, satisfying, and easy to make at home for a quick weeknight dinner or impressive meal!

  • Prep Time10 min
  • Cook Time20 min
  • Total Time30 min

Homemade Chicken Pad Thai Ingredients:

  • 200g (7 oz) flat rice noodles
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 200g (7 oz) boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Pad Thai Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)

Soak the Noodles:

1

Soak rice noodles in warm water for 20–30 minutes until flexible but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

2

In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, and chili flakes. Set aside.

Cook the Chicken:

3

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chicken. Stir-fry until chicken is cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.

Scramble the Eggs:

4

Push chicken to the side, pour in eggs, and scramble until just set.

Stir-Fry Everything:

5

Add drained noodles and the prepared sauce. Toss well to combine. Add bean sprouts and green onions. Stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until noodles are coated and slightly caramelized.

Serve:

6

Plate the Pad Thai, sprinkle with crushed peanuts, and serve with lime wedges and optional cilantro.

Recipe Notes :

Tamarind Tip : Tamarind paste gives that signature tang. If unavailable, use a mix of lime juice and a little brown sugar.

Chicken Substitute : Swap chicken with shrimp, tofu, or a mix for variety.

No Fish Sauce? Use soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian version.

Noodle Texture : Don’t over-soak noodles or they’ll break during stir-frying.

Make Ahead : You can prep the sauce and slice the ingredients ahead to make cooking quick and easy!