Throw away those takeout menus, this Easy Spicy Chicken Pad Thai will be your new favorite dinner that’s quicker than delivery!
Are you a Pad Thai lover like me? It’s always my go-to order when we get takeout, so I had to have a version I could make at home. This Easy Spicy Chicken Pad Thai is where I landed, and I’m so pleased with the outcome!
Don’t forget to order some of these take-out containers so you can really feel like you ordered in, haha!
We actually rarely order in. My problem is, by the time we’ve ordered our food and taxes and fees are added, our bill is $55 and it makes me feel ill.
I absolutely hate spending that amount of money on food when I could go to the grocery store and buy the ingredients to make the dish myself for $15.
Why not save a few bucks and create a simple, insanely easy, at-home take-out meal. Seriously, it will blow your mind. It’s on a constant dinner rotation and now my kid asks for it by name, haha!
For this reason, I almost always end up making whatever we want at home, like this Thai Broccoli Salad With Spicy Almond Dressing, Which would be the perfect side and completion of this Thai-inspired dinner!
The good thing about this is that when you do get to order in, it feels like a real treat. So, the next time you’re sitting at work craving a big bowl of Pad Thai, make yourself swing by the grocery instead of ordering food!
Ingredients & Subs
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- Rice noodles — If you want to make this dish low-carb, you can try using zoodles or shirataki noodles. Fettucini would also work in a pinch!
- Chicken — Feel free to sub any protein you wish! Shrimp or tofu would be great or just add more veggies.
- Cilantro — Basil would be great or even better, Thai basil!
- Brown sugar — Honey or maple syrup.
- Soy sauce — Tamari or coconut aminos (these coconut aminos are by far my favorite).
- Fish sauce — can omit if needed but is SOOOO good
- Smooth peanut butter — I’ve used both almond butter and cashew butter in a pinch! I like to match the nuts in the sauce with the nuts on top, so if I use cashews I’ll chop cashews to use on top, etc.
- Sriracha — and chile paste would do! Gojuchang would be great. Use as much or as little as your taste buds prefer
If you’re into ordering groceries and having them delivered like I am, instacart has been WONDERFUL the past few months! Click below to get your first order delivered for FREE!
How to store
Pad Thai will last 3-4 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer! I bought some great freezer containers from amazon recently and loved them! But let’s be real, once you make this for dinner there will be no leftovers, you’ll be licking the sauce right out of the bowl.
Hot Tip
Try adding some crispy tofu on top making this a meat-free dinner! My favorite local Pad Thai is very close to this version, only it also incorporates crispy tofu that perfectly absorbs the sauce. I love this method for crispy tofu!
More takeout recipes you’ll love!
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza with Dill Pickle Aioli
Mango Ginger Turkey Meatballs with Honey Soy Glaze
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatball Subs
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Take a browse around the site and please let me know if you make anything by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or requests!

Easy Spicy Chicken Pad Thai
Ingredients
- 4 oz flat rice noodles
- 3 tbsp canola oil, divided
- 1/2 lb. chicken breast, sliced into very thin strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup carrots, shredded or julienned
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 1 tbsp Sriracha or another chili paste
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare rice noodles according to package directions. Rinse noodles in cold water, drain, and toss in with 1 tbsp canola oil. Set aside.
- Add all of the sauce ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
- While rice noodles are soaking, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken and let cook for 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a plate while you cook the vegetables.
- Heat one tablespoon canola oil over in the same skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and sauté 1 minute. Add carrots and garlic and sauté 1 additional minute. Reduce heat to medium and pour beaten egg over vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, just until scrambled.
- Add sauce and noodles and increase heat to medium-high. Toss until evenly combined and continue to stir and cook for 1-2 minutes, taking care to not let noodles overcook. Stir in chicken, green onions and peanuts, and heat through.
- Taste and add one additional seasoning as necessary. You can add more Sriracha if you want it spicier, soy sauce for a salty bite, or a squeeze of lime for a tang. Top with cilantro and serve.
Amy
Saturday 25th of March 2023
Soooooo good! Will not order from a restaurant ever again. This is way better!
Paige
Saturday 1st of April 2023
So happy you enjoyed it!
Shruti
Monday 27th of February 2023
I know dark brown sugar has a higher molasses content but can you use dark brown sugar in place of light brown/regular brown sugar?
Donna K
Tuesday 31st of January 2023
This is delicious. My family loved it! Substituted the fish sauce with oyster sauce. Warmed the sauce up and added some corn starch to thicken t it up a bit.
Heather Prue
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
Hello! This looks delicious! Excited to make it.. how many does this serve?
Paige
Friday 27th of January 2023
Serves 2 generously! I would also recommend doubling the sauce if you like it extra saucy.
SeptemberZen
Monday 23rd of January 2023
This was DELICIOUS! My sauce was a little thick because I used chunky peanut butter, but either way, my recommendation is to double the sauce. It's really yummy and you'll want to make sure you have enough. It's perfectly balanced: spicy, sweet with a hint of salt - yum! This one goes into the rotation!
Paige
Friday 27th of January 2023
Thank you! Yes, I agree, doubling the sauce is the way to go!