If you are craving a fun twist on traditional Asian flavors, this Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine the vibrant, tangy, and slightly spicy essence of classic Pad Thai packed into soft, street-style tortillas, resulting in a fusion dish that’s bursting with color, texture, and irresistible flavor in every bite. It’s quick, colorful, and perfect for gatherings or a lively weeknight dinner where everyone gets to enjoy a handheld fiesta of taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is delightfully straightforward, yet each element plays a vital role in building the complex and fresh layers of flavor. From crunchy vegetables to the fragrant Thai seasoning and rich peanut sauce, every component enhances the dish’s irresistible charm.
- 1 cup bean sprouts: Adds a refreshing crunch and authentic Pad Thai texture.
- ½ cup green onions (diced): Provides subtle pungency and bright color.
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage: Brings vibrant color and a nice crunch.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Offers a touch of natural sweetness and crispness.
- 1 cup red bell peppers (julienned): Adds sweetness and a splash of red for eye appeal.
- 1 pound ground chicken: The protein base that absorbs all the wonderful seasoning.
- 1 tablespoon Thai seasoning: A crucial flavor booster that turns simple chicken into a Thai-inspired delight.
- 12 small tortillas (street taco size): The perfect handheld vehicle for all those flavors.
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro: Fresh herbaceous note that brightens each bite.
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts: Adds crunch and nutty contrast to the soft chicken and sauce.
- ¼ cup soy sauce: The savory backbone of the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Imparts toasty, aromatic depth.
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter: Creates creamy richness and authentic Pad Thai flavor.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Balances salty and spicy elements with sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice: Brings vibrant acidity to cut through richness.
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha: Adds a gentle kick of heat.
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste: Delivers complex spiciness and warmth.
How to Make Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Veggie Mixture
Start by combining the bean sprouts, diced green onions, shredded red cabbage, carrots, and julienned red bell peppers in a bowl. This colorful medley not only provides a satisfying crunch but also forms the fresh, crisp base of your tacos that contrasts beautifully with the warm, flavorful chicken.
Step 2: Whip Up the Pad Thai Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, Sriracha, and Thai red curry paste until smooth and well combined. This luscious sauce is what transforms this dish into an exciting fusion of sweet, spicy, tangy, and nutty notes — the heart of the Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe.
Step 3: Season and Shape the Chicken
Next, stir the ground chicken with the Thai seasoning until evenly coated. Divide this mixture into 12 small balls — roughly taco-sized portions. These little meat patties will cook perfectly on your tortillas to deliver maximum flavor in every handheld bite.
Step 4: Press Chicken Balls onto Tortillas
Take each chicken ball and use a fork to press it flat directly onto a tortilla. This no-fuss technique ensures the chicken cooks quickly and evenly while adhering to the tortilla, allowing you to combine the protein and taco shell in a deliciously neat package.
Step 5: Cook Chicken-Topped Tortillas
Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Place each tortilla with the chicken side down and press gently with a spatula, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the tortilla side, making sure the tortilla warms and crisps slightly.
Step 6: Assemble Your Chicken Pad Thai Tacos
Remove the cooked tacos from the pan and pile on the fresh veggie mixture. Drizzle the homemade pad Thai sauce over the top, then sprinkle chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro to finish. These toppings add contrasting textures, herbal brightness, and unbeatable flavor complexity.
How to Serve Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts are classic finishing touches that bring vibrancy and crunch. Feel free to add lime wedges on the side for an extra hit of citrusy freshness, or sprinkle some extra Sriracha if you love heat.
Side Dishes
Light, refreshing sides like cucumber salad or a simple Asian slaw complement the bold, rich flavors here without overpowering your Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe. A cool, creamy coconut rice or steamed jasmine rice also pairs beautifully if you want a more substantial meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these tacos on a colorful platter layered with banana leaves or parchment paper for a fun, street-food vibe. For a party, set up a DIY taco bar with extra toppings like sliced radishes, lime wedges, or Thai chili slices so everyone can customize their own delicious creation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover fully assembled tacos refrigerated for up to two days, but it’s best to store components separately to preserve freshness — store the cooked chicken-topped tortillas wrapped in foil and the veggie mixture and sauce in airtight containers.
Freezing
To freeze, separate the cooked chicken patties from the tortillas before freezing in airtight containers or zip-top bags. Wrap the tortillas separately to prevent sogginess. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and assembling the tacos fresh.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken-topped tortillas gently on a skillet over medium heat to keep them crisp without drying out the meat. Warm the sauce slightly in the microwave or on the stove, and serve veggies fresh or slightly chilled to preserve their crunch.
FAQs
Can I make this Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground chicken for crumbled tofu or tempeh and use vegetarian Thai seasoning. You can also add extra veggies or cooked mushrooms to make it hearty and delicious.
What tortillas work best for this recipe?
Small corn or flour tortillas about 4.5 inches wide are ideal since they hold the pressed chicken well and make the perfect handheld portions, similar to street tacos.
Is the pad Thai sauce spicy?
The sauce has a gentle balance of sweet, tangy, and mild heat from the Sriracha and red curry paste. You can always adjust the level of spiciness to your liking by using more or less Sriracha.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the veggie mix and sauce ahead and keep them refrigerated. Shape the chicken balls and assemble the tacos right before cooking for the freshest taste and texture.
What can I substitute if I don’t have Thai seasoning?
Use a combination of garlic powder, ginger, cumin, coriander, and a pinch of chili powder for a quick homemade alternative that still delivers tasty results.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe is such a joyful and delicious way to bring a little spice and color into your meal rotation. Its clever mix of textures and bold flavors wrapped up in soft tortillas makes it perfect for sharing, impressing, or simply treating yourself. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience that wonderful combo of Thai-inspired goodness and taco fun in every bite!
Print
Chicken Pad Thai Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Chicken Pad Thai Tacos combine the vibrant flavors of traditional Pad Thai with the convenience of tacos. Ground chicken seasoned with Thai spices is cooked directly on tortillas, then topped with a crunchy veggie mix and a tangy, sweet Pad Thai sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro and peanuts. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal that serves the whole family.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- ½ cup green onions, diced
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red bell peppers, julienned
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
Protein
- 1 pound ground chicken
Pad Thai Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (approximately 1 small lime)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
Other
- 1 tablespoon Thai seasoning (see notes below for recipe)
- 12 small tortillas (approximately 4.5 inches, street taco size)
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetable mix: In a bowl, combine the bean sprouts, diced green onions, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and julienned red bell peppers. Set aside for assembling the tacos later.
- Mix the Pad Thai sauce: In another bowl, thoroughly whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice, Sriracha, and Thai red curry paste. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Season the chicken: Combine the ground chicken with the Thai seasoning until evenly distributed. Divide this mixture into 12 equal portions and roll each into a small ball.
- Form the chicken on tortillas: Take one ball of the chicken mixture and place it on a tortilla. Use a fork to press and spread the chicken evenly across the tortilla surface.
- Cook the chicken tacos – first side: Heat a non-stick or griddle pan over medium-high heat until hot. Place the tortilla meat-side down on the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes while pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even cooking and adhesion.
- Cook the chicken tacos – second side: Flip the tortilla and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the tortilla edges are slightly crisp.
- Assemble the tacos: Remove the cooked tacos from the pan. Layer the mixed vegetables on top, drizzle generously with the prepared Pad Thai sauce, and finish with fresh cilantro leaves and chopped peanuts for garnish. Serve warm.
Notes
- For the Thai seasoning, you can mix together ground coriander, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Use small, flexible tortillas such as corn or flour street taco tortillas for best results.
- The chicken can be substituted with ground turkey or tofu for a variation.
- Adjust the Sriracha quantity to your preferred level of spiciness.
- These tacos are best served immediately to maintain the crispness of vegetables and tortillas.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days but are best reheated gently on a skillet.
