Authentic Thai Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe

Introduction

Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this authentic Pad Thai shrimp recipe. Made with tamarind sauce, rice noodles, chicken, eggs, and fresh vegetables, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 125 g Pad Thai rice noodles
• 1.5 tablespoons tamarind puree
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 whole onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 150 g chicken breast, sliced
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 cups bean sprouts
• 0.5 cup firm tofu, sliced
• 0.25 cup garlic chives
• 0.25 cup chopped peanuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak the rice noodles in warm water according to package instructions until soft, then drain and set aside. In a bowl, mix tamarind puree, brown sugar, fish sauce, and oyster sauce until smooth to make the sauce.
2. Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic, stir-frying until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add the sliced chicken breast and cook until fully cooked and lightly browned.
4. Step 4: Push the chicken to one side of the pan and crack in the eggs. Scramble them quickly until just set.
5. Step 5: Add the soaked noodles and tamarind sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together quickly over high heat to combine and heat through without breaking the noodles.
6. Step 6: Stir in the bean sprouts, tofu, and garlic chives. Cook for another minute to warm the vegetables without losing their crunch.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and serve the Pad Thai topped with chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use tamarind puree instead of concentrate for the best authentic flavor and proper sauce balance.
• Cook the dish over high heat and toss quickly to prevent noodles from breaking and maintain their texture.
• Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.
• Add a squeeze of lime juice and fresh chili flakes for extra tang and heat.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid drying out the noodles, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Pad Thai without fish sauce?

Yes, you can substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian version, but the flavor will be slightly different from the traditional taste.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?

Soak the rice noodles properly until just soft and toss them with a little oil before cooking. Also, stir-frying quickly over high heat helps keep them separate and prevents clumping.

Authentic Thai Shrimp Pad Thai Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 103 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 mains 1x

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Description

Authentic-style Pad Thai shrimp featuring tamarind sauce, rice noodles, chicken, eggs, and fresh vegetables. This quick and flavorful Thai dish combines the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, ready in just 30 minutes using stovetop stir-frying for an ideal texture.

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Ingredients

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Noodles and Sauce

• 125 g Pad Thai rice noodles
• 1.5 tablespoons tamarind puree
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce

Main Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 whole onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 150 g chicken breast, sliced
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 cups bean sprouts
• 0.5 cup firm tofu, sliced
• 0.25 cup garlic chives
• 0.25 cup chopped peanuts

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Instructions

1. Soak Noodles and Prepare Sauce: Soak the Pad Thai rice noodles in warm water until they are soft but still firm to the bite. Meanwhile, mix the tamarind puree, brown sugar, fish sauce, and oyster sauce together until smooth to create the authentic Pad Thai sauce.
2. Stir-fry Ingredients: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat for best results. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the pan, stir-frying briefly until fragrant. Add the sliced chicken breast and cook until no longer pink.
3. Cook Eggs and Combine: Push the chicken and vegetables to the side of the pan, crack in the eggs and scramble until just set. Add the drained noodles and pour the prepared sauce over them. Toss everything quickly and thoroughly over high heat to evenly coat noodles and combine all ingredients without breaking the noodles.
4. Add Vegetables and Finish: Stir in the bean sprouts, sliced tofu, and garlic chives to the wok. Toss for a short time to heat through while maintaining the fresh texture of the vegetables.
5. Serve: Plate the Pad Thai and garnish generously with chopped peanuts. Serve immediately to enjoy the classic texture and flavors.

Notes

• Use tamarind puree rather than tamarind concentrate for a balanced authentic flavor.
• Maintain high heat and quick tossing to prevent rice noodles from breaking and to achieve a perfect stir-fry texture.
• Feel free to substitute chicken with shrimp or add both for variation.
• Prepare all ingredients beforehand as stir-frying is quick and requires constant attention.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Main dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Thai

Keywords: authentic pad thai, easy pad thai recipe, pad thai, thai noodles