Description
Enjoy a vibrant twist on traditional tacos with these Chicken Pad Thai Tacos, combining the fresh crunch of bean sprouts and colorful veggies with savory ground chicken flavored with Thai seasoning. Topped with a rich, tangy pad thai sauce, fresh cilantro, and crunchy peanuts, these tacos deliver a delicious fusion of Thai and Mexican flavors perfect for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Toppings
- 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
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- 12 small tortillas (street taco size, approximately 4.5 inches wide)
Protein
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon Thai seasoning (see notes below)
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 Veggies: In a large 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.
- 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: Mix the ground chicken thoroughly with the Thai seasoning. Divide this mixture into 12 equal-sized balls, preparing them to be shaped on the tortillas.
- Shape the Chicken on Tortillas: Take each ball of chicken mixture and use a fork to press and spread it evenly onto each tortilla, forming a thin layer of meat on one side.
- Cook the Tacos: Heat a non-stick or griddle pan over medium-high heat until hot. Place each tortilla meat-side down on the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip each taco over and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes on the tortilla side until the meat is cooked through and the tortilla is slightly toasted.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the tacos from heat and immediately top the cooked meat side with the mixed vegetables. Drizzle generously with the prepared pad thai sauce, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts before serving.
Notes
- For the Thai seasoning, you can use a mix of ground coriander, cumin, garlic powder, white pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes to replicate the flavor profile.
- If you prefer, substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork.
- Street taco size tortillas (4.5 inches) are recommended for easy handling and authentic presentation.
- Adjust the Sriracha in the pad thai sauce according to your desired spice level.
