Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A fast, flavorful Pad Thai inspired by classic takeout, featuring tender chicken and a tangy tamarind sauce ready in under 30 minutes. This Thai-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs rice noodles, vegetable oil, boneless skinless chicken breast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz rice noodles
3 tbsp vegetable oil
12 oz, thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breast
3, minced garlic cloves
2 large eggs
1 cup bean sprouts
3, sliced green onions
1/4 cup, chopped roasted peanuts
4 lime wedges
2 tbsp tamarind paste
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
1 tbsp soy sauce

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes until pliable, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add 12 oz thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until chicken is cooked through and edges are lightly browned.
Step 5: Push chicken to one side of the skillet, crack 2 large eggs into the empty space, and scramble for 2 minutes until just set.
Step 6: Add drained noodles to the skillet along with the tamarind sauce mixture. Toss everything together over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until noodles are coated and sauce thickens slightly.
Step 7: Stir in 1 cup bean sprouts and 3 sliced green onions, cooking for another minute until warmed through.
Step 8: Serve immediately topped with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts and 4 lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Quick Sautéed Chicken Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce?

Thai meal prep like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.