If you’re craving something that bursts with vibrant flavors yet feels perfectly fun and casual, the Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This creative twist on traditional Pad Thai wraps the classic tangy, savory, and slightly sweet taste of Thailand’s beloved dish into easy-to-eat street tacos. Imagine juicy, seasoned ground chicken pressed right onto warm tortillas, topped with crunchy veggies, peanuts, and a bright, zesty sauce that ties every bite together. It’s a playful, colorful meal that’s ideal for feeding a crowd or jazzing up an ordinary weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe is a breeze because each one is straightforward yet essential. From fresh vegetables offering crunch and color to flavorful sauces that provide that signature Pad Thai zing, every ingredient plays a key role in delivering the perfect balance of textures and tastes.
- 1 cup bean sprouts: Adds refreshing crispness and authentic Thai texture.
- ½ cup green onions (diced): Brings mild onion flavor and a pop of green color.
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage: Provides vibrant purple color and extra crunch.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Offers natural sweetness and bright orange hue.
- 1 cup red bell peppers (julienned): Delivers sweetness and a juicy bite.
- 1 pound ground chicken: The lean and tender protein base for the tacos.
- 1 tablespoon Thai seasoning: Infuses the chicken with exotic, aromatic flavor (see notes below for a homemade blend).
- 12 small tortillas: Street taco size recommended for easy handling and the perfect vessel.
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro: Adds herbaceous freshness and color.
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts: Contributes crunch and nutty richness.
- ¼ cup soy sauce: Gives the signature salty umami depth.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Offers a toasty, fragrant note.
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter: Creates creamy texture and subtle sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Balances flavors with molasses notes.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice: Adds bright acidity to elevate everything.
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha: Brings spicy heat, adjustable to taste.
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste: Injects bold, savory depth.
How to Make Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the fresh veggie mix
Start by combining the crunchy bean sprouts, diced green onions, shredded red cabbage, carrots, and julienned red bell peppers in a bowl. This colorful mixture is key to the tacos’ fresh texture and visually exciting presentation.
Step 2: Mix the Pad Thai sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, Sriracha, and Thai red curry paste. This luscious sauce will coat the veggies and chicken, giving the tacos their unmistakable tangy and sweet-savory flavor profile.
Step 3: Season and shape the chicken
Combine the ground chicken with the Thai seasoning thoroughly. Then, divide the meat mixture into 12 equal-portion balls—this helps ensure even cooking and the perfect taco filling size.
Step 4: Press chicken onto tortillas
Take each ball and use a fork to press it firmly down onto one tortilla, shaping it into a thin layer. This technique lets the chicken cook directly on the pan attached to the tortilla, melding flavors and creating a crispy edge.
Step 5: Cook the tacos
Heat a non-stick or griddle pan over medium-high heat. Place each tortilla meat-side down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes while pressing gently with a spatula to help it crisp up and stick. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the tortilla is lightly toasted.
Step 6: Assemble and top
Remove the tacos from the pan and immediately spoon the fresh vegetable mix over them. Drizzle with the prepared Pad Thai sauce and sprinkle fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts on top for that final burst of flavor and crunch.
How to Serve Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts are classic garnishes that bring both crunch and herbaceous brightness. A wedge of lime on the side for additional tang is also perfect. You can even add a few extra bean sprouts or thinly sliced chili peppers if you want to kick up the freshness or heat.
Side Dishes
These tacos shine wonderfully with simple sides such as jasmine rice or a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds. A cold Asian slaw also complements the warmth and bold flavors beautifully without overpowering.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe as a taco bar where guests build their own, mixing sauces and toppings to taste. Alternatively, try smaller-sized tortillas for appetizer portions at a party or serve the filling over rice noodles for a fusion bowl experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken tacos components separately in airtight containers: keep the cooked chicken and tortillas refrigerated for up to three days, and the fresh veggie mix in a separate container to maintain optimal crunch.
Freezing
The chicken mixture can be frozen before cooking; simply shape and freeze the balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing assembled tacos, as tortillas and veggies don’t freeze well in this context.
Reheating
Reheat cooked chicken balls in a hot skillet to regain their crispness. Warm tortillas briefly in a dry pan or microwave wrapped in a damp towel. Add fresh veggies and sauce right before serving to preserve freshness.
FAQs
Can I use other proteins instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or even finely chopped shrimp can be great alternatives. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked and seasoned properly to keep that signature Pad Thai flavor.
Is the Thai seasoning blend difficult to make?
Not at all. A simple blend of garlic powder, coriander, cumin, and a pinch of chili powder works wonderfully. This seasoning elevates the chicken with authentic aromatic notes without overpowering the overall taco flavor.
What kind of tortillas work best?
Small street taco-sized tortillas (around 4.5 inches) are ideal here because they hold the filling perfectly and allow for easy handling. Corn or flour tortillas both work fine, though flour tends to be more pliable for pressing the chicken.
How spicy is this Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe?
The heat level depends on your Sriracha and curry paste quantities. If you prefer mild, reduce or omit the Sriracha. The spices add warmth and complexity rather than overwhelming heat, making it accessible to most palates.
Can I prepare this recipe for a large gathering?
Definitely! The recipe scales well and is perfect for parties or casual get-togethers. You might want to consider preparing the chicken mixture and sauce ahead of time to streamline assembly during serving.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe is one of those rare finds that manages to feel both exotic and comfortingly familiar. Its combination of fresh vegetables, fragrant seasonings, and playful presentation will quickly make it a go-to whenever you want to impress with minimal fuss. Honestly, once you try these tacos, you’ll wish you had discovered them sooner. So grab your ingredients, rally your friends or family, and dive into this fantastic fusion of flavors!
Print
Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai Fusion
Description
These Chicken Pad Thai Tacos offer a vibrant fusion of traditional Thai flavors wrapped in a convenient street taco format. Ground chicken seasoned with aromatic Thai spices is cooked directly on tortillas for a crispy, flavorful base, topped with a fresh vegetable medley and a tangy, savory pad thai sauce. Perfect for a quick, 30-minute meal that serves 12 and is sure to impress with its colorful presentation and bold flavor profile.
Ingredients
Vegetable Mix
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- ½ cup green onions, diced
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red bell peppers, julienned
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon Thai seasoning (see notes for recipe)
Shell
- 12 small tortillas (street taco size, approx. 4.5 inches wide)
Garnishes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
Pad Thai Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 small lime)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetable mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bean sprouts, diced green onions, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and julienned red bell peppers. Toss them gently and set aside for topping later.
- Make the pad thai sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, Sriracha, and Thai red curry paste until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Season the chicken: In another bowl, thoroughly combine the ground chicken with the Thai seasoning to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Form chicken balls: Divide the seasoned ground chicken into 12 equal portions and roll each into a small ball roughly the size of a golf ball.
- Press chicken onto tortillas: Using a fork, press each chicken ball flat onto a tortilla, making sure the meat covers the surface evenly to create a thin patty on the tortilla.
- Cook chicken tortillas: Heat a non-stick or griddle pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Once hot, place each tortilla meat-side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, pressing down gently with a spatula for even cooking and browning.
- Flip and finish cooking: Carefully flip each taco and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the tortilla is slightly crisped.
- Assemble tacos: Remove tacos from heat, then top each with a generous spoonful of the vegetable mix, drizzle the prepared pad thai sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts to add freshness and crunch.
Notes
- The Thai seasoning can be prepared by blending ingredients like garlic powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, chili powder, and a pinch of salt, customized to taste.
- You can substitute ground turkey if preferred, but chicken keeps the texture authentic to the dish’s style.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and corn tortillas instead.
- If you prefer, you can warm tortillas in the oven wrapped in foil before pressing the chicken for an easier cook.
- This recipe is flexible—adjust the spice level by varying the amount of Sriracha to taste.
