Pad Thai is a popular stir-fried noodle dish that is served throughout Thailand. It is a quick and easy meal to prepare and makes a great weeknight dinner.
It can be made with chicken, shrimp (for Shrimp Pad Thai), beef or tofu. The noodles are usually rice noodles, but other types can be used as well.
1. Garlic
Garlic is a key component to Thai cooking. It has a strong flavor and can be used in many different ways. It is available in most Asian grocery stores.
It can be ground or chopped and seasoned with salt, garlic powder and lemon juice to create a variety of dishes. You can also add it to marinades.
This is also a great ingredient for stir-frying and adding texture to foods. In this recipe, it is used to cook the chicken and vegetables.
Other ingredients that are a big part of Pad Thai include mung bean sprouts, green onions, and eggs. They provide a bright flavor and crunch to the dish.
They also contribute to a nice color and make the dish appetizing. It is important to scramble the eggs before adding them to the chicken, so they don’t end up overcooked.
It is also worth soaking the noodles in boiling water before cooking them. This helps them stay soft and tender during frying later in the skillet or wok. It is a great way to keep the noodles from becoming tough and breaking apart.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a key ingredient in many Thai dishes. It adds a fresh and fragrant flavor to the dish that can be mild or spicy depending on how you like it.
Ginger can be grated or chopped into small pieces. However, if you want a stronger flavor, you can slice it into strips and use that instead of grated ginger.
Galangal is another ingredient you can use to substitute for ginger. It’s not as fragrant as ginger, but it’s much spicier and can have an earthy and citrusy flavor that’s really delicious in this dish!
If you’re a fan of spice, you’ll love this spicy chicken pad thai recipe! It’s easy to adapt and can be made with a variety of different vegetables and protein, so you can make it as mild or spicy as you like.
The prep time for this recipe is minimal, so it’s a great option for a weeknight meal that won’t take long to prepare. You can also customize it to fit your taste by swapping out the chicken and veggies for whatever you’d like.
3. Sriracha
Sriracha sauce is a versatile hot sauce that has a bright red colouring and can be used to add spice and flavour to anything from noodle soups to chicken wings. It is made from a variety of ingredients including chilli peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt.
It is a staple ingredient in Vietnamese and Thai cuisines. It can be used in a variety of recipes including noodle soups, stir fries, marinades and drinks such as Bloody Marys.
This spicy chicken pad thai recipe uses the sauce to enhance the flavour of the dish. It is quick and easy to make and can be a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.
The dish consists of cooked noodles, chicken, garlic, bean sprouts and green onions. It is then topped with a beaten egg and finished off with sriracha sauce. It is a delicious, healthy and spicy dish that can be served with lime wedges and shredded lettuce for a complete meal.
If you’re looking to reduce the spiciness of the sauce, you can use less sriracha or even replace it with a few drops of tabasco sauce. This will still add a little kick to the dish, and it’s not as thick as sriracha.
4. Fish Sauce
This spicy chicken pad thai recipe rivals your favorite takeout but with pantry friendly ingredients and is on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s sweet, savoury, tangy and spicy and will stimulate all your senses!
The fish sauce in this recipe adds a deep, complex flavour. It’s a key ingredient in many Thai dishes, and it’s an easy place to get started when making your own homemade sauce.
To make the sauce, start by sauteing the shallots and garlic in a pan over medium heat until soft. Then melt the palm sugar in the same pot and cook it until it has caramelized, adding a little water if necessary to keep it from sticking to the pan.
Once the sugar has caramelized, add the tamarind paste and fish sauce. The tamarind paste will bubble aggressively and the sugar will harden initially, but the fish sauce should help it all dissolve quickly. Then add the remaining ingredients and stir to mix thoroughly.
5. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a staple in many Asian dishes, and is also a key ingredient in this spicy chicken pad thai recipe. It adds a sweet and salty flavor to the dish that you can really taste!
This spicy chicken pad thai recipe is a simple take on a classic that rivals your favorite Thai restaurants. It’s easy to make, and all the ingredients are easily found in your local grocery store!
The noodles you use are crucial to this dish, so be sure to cook them right. You’ll want them to be soft and tender, but not too mushy. You’ll need to soak them in water before cooking.
After soaking the noodles, rinse them in cold water and drain them well. These noodles are delicate and can easily fall apart if overcooked or stirred vigorously, so be sure to treat them gently!
If you’re looking for a healthier version of this recipe, you could try coconut aminos, which is an alternative to soy sauce. It has a salty, soy-like taste, and is naturally gluten-free!
If you’re a fan of tangy flavors, be sure to add lime wedges and crushed peanuts to your plate. It’s a great way to get that refreshing zing!
6. Lime Juice
The lime juice in this spicy chicken pad thai recipe is the signature ingredient that really makes it tangy. It helps balance the savory, sweet and slightly salty flavors of the sauce. It also adds a pop of color to the dish.
To make the sauce, mix together lime juice, honey, fish sauce, and soy sauce. You can use more or less of each depending on your taste preferences.
For a brighter flavor, you can also use tamarind pulp in place of the lime juice. This will give the sauce an even more authentic taste.
Before making the dish, you’ll need to cook the noodles and chop the protein and vegetables. Once the noodles are ready, stir fry your protein of choice, eggs and vegetables until crisp-tender.
Once the ingredients are cooked, toss in your prepared Pad Thai sauce. You can then garnish your meal with roasted, salted peanuts for extra crunch. A squeeze of lime juice is another nice touch.
7. Peanuts
The peanuts in this spicy chicken pad thai recipe add some much-needed crunch and flavor to the dish. They also help give it a much more authentic texture.
This is a dish that you will love because it is packed with flavour and is easy to make at home. It can easily be adapted to suit your family’s tastes and can even be meal prepped ahead so it can be ready for a quick dinner when you get home from work.
To start, prepare the noodles according to package instructions. However, instead of cooking them in boiling water on the stove, it’s better to soak them for 5 minutes so they will be al dente when you stir fry them with the sauce.
Once the noodles are soaked, drain them and rinse under cold water. Put them in a strainer over a bowl or sink and leave them to drain until you are ready to use them.
Now, it’s time to cook up your spicy chicken pad thai! This will be your new go-to meal in no time! It will taste delicious and is a great meal to prepare on a busy weeknight. You’ll also be able to change the protein and vegetables easily to accommodate your family’s preferences.