Keto Pad Thai

Keto Chicken Pad Thai has all the flavors of the traditional rice noodle dish but with just a fraction of the carbs! An authentic and flavorful keto pad Thai with chicken! Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, this pad thai will hit all of your taste buds. A super easy meal for 4 and ready in just 30 minutes!

Why order takeout when you can have an authentic and delicious pad thai ready in just 30 minutes? This Keto Pad Thai recipe is a must-try for anyone following a low carb diet. Enjoy the delicious flavors of this timeless dish without compromising on your health goals. 

The first time I tried pad Thai in a restaurant I loved it. Pad Thai is one of the most well-known dishes in Thai cuisine. It's a stir-fry noodle dish that typically includes shrimp or chicken, bean sprouts, egg, peanuts, and a tangy sauce made with tamarind paste and fish sauce. It has been a favorite ever since. Which is why I needed a low carb keto diet version here at Joy Filled Eats. I knew I couldn't be the only one who loves this classic dish.

Ingredients

Fish sauce - Fish sauce gives a nice salty kick to the dish.

Rice wine vinegar - Rice vinegar is a crucial ingredient in many Asian cuisines, and pad thai sauce is no exception. This flavorful vinegar adds a tangy, slightly sweet taste to the dish that perfectly balances out other ingredients. If you're looking for an authentic pad thai flavor, rice vinegar is a must-have.

Sambal oelek (chili paste) - Sambal oelek is a popular chili paste that has been used in Southeast Asian cuisine for centuries. This fiery condiment is made from ground red chilies, vinegar, salt, and sometimes sugar or garlic. It's bold flavor and spicy kick make it an essential ingredient in many traditional dishes such as Pad Thai.

Peanut butter - Traditionally pad Thai is made with tamarind paste. However, those who are not fans of tamarind or do not have access to it may use peanut butter. Peanut butter adds a creamy texture and nutty flavor to Thai food that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Peanut butter also provides a healthy dose of protein, making this dish more filling and satisfying. In addition, using peanut butter instead of tamarind eliminates the need for sugar which can make this already healthy meal even better for you.

Coconut aminos - Coconut aminos are a popular alternative to soy sauce that has gained popularity over the years. This delicious condiment is made from the sap of coconut blossoms and is used as a seasoning in many dishes, particularly in Asian cuisine. Coconut aminos have become increasingly popular among people who are looking for low carb recipes, and for gluten free, vegan, and paleo-friendly alternatives to traditional soy sauce.

Fresh lime juice - Fresh lime adds the best flavor but you can substitute in bottled in a pinch.

Liquid stevia - You can also add a sugar free sweetener of your choice to taste, such as a brown sugar substitute sweetener. Whatever sweetener you prefer in your keto recipes will work here.

Shirataki noodles - I talk about this extensively a bit further down in the post. Alternatively, you can use spaghetti squash, hearts of palm noodles, or zucchini noodles.

Chicken breast - I normally use chicken breast since it has a mild flavor but chicken thighs will also work.

Eggs - Adding egg boosts the protein, adds flavor, and helps the sauce stick to the noodles.

Ginger - Fresh ginger will add the best flavor.

Garlic - I recommend using fresh garlic as well.

Scallions - Green onions add nice color and flavor.

Mung bean sprouts - Mung bean sprouts are traditionally used in this dish.

Peanuts - Roasted salted peanuts give the best flavor and crunch.

Cilantro leaves - Cilantro gives a vibrant fresh flavor to the dish.

How To Make Keto Pad Thai

Step 1: Prep Fresh Produce

Start by washing and drying the fresh produce. Thinly slice the scallions, keeping the white and green parts separate. Remove cilantro leaves from the stems and give them a rough chop until you have about ⅓ cup. Peel and mince garlic and ginger.

Step 2: Cut Chicken

Butterfly the chicken breasts in half to make them thinner and then cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts and your personal preferences, you can skip the butterflying, but I find it gives the chicken a more traditional pad thai feel and helps it to cook faster.

Step 3: Mix Keto Pad Thai Sauce

Add the fish sauce, rice vinegar, peanut butter, coconut aminos, lime juice, and stevia to a small bowl. Add up to 1 tablespoon of Sambal Oelek (or other chili paste) depending on how spicy you like your pad thai. Whisk the sauce together until smooth and well combined.

*Note: You can substitute soy sauce for the coconut aminos. They have a similar flavor, but I prefer the added sweetness that the coconut aminos provides.

Step 4: Stir Fry Keto Pad Thai Base

Heat a wok or large pan over medium heat or medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil (I used sesame oil), then stir fry the minced garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Stir continuously so that the garlic doesn't burn.

After 30 seconds, add 1 tablespoon of Sambal Oelek and the sliced scallion whites. Continue stir frying in the skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the scallions have softened.

This base is packed with flavor and allows us to get away with a lighter (and lower carb) sauce while still keeping the dish flavorful!

Step 5: Stir Fry Chicken

Once the base has cooked, add the chicken to the wok or pan and stir fry with the keto pad thai base for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken has seared on the outsides and cooked through.

Step 6: Beat Eggs & Prep Noodles

While the chicken cooks, beat two eggs using a whisk or fork until well combined. Drain and thoroughly rinse the Shirataki noodles with hot water for about 2 minutes or until their package odor is gone and they have a bland/tasteless flavor.

Step 7: Cook Shirataki Noodles

Once the chicken is done cooking completely empty the chicken/base mixture from the wok and set aside. Add the noodles to the empty wok (without using any oil) and dry fry them over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes to remove all excess water.

You want the noodles to have a firm and noodle-like texture. Be careful not to overcook the noodles or you will lose this texture.

Step 8: Stir Fry Eggs

Once the noodles have cooked, stir in the beaten eggs and scramble/stir fry them with the noodles until they are cooked, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Mix Keto Pad Thai

Once the eggs have cooked, add the chicken/base mixture back to the wok with the eggs and noodles. Add the bean sprouts and stir in the pad thai sauce. Continue stir-frying and mixing for 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.

Top the keto pad thai with the scallion greens, cilantro, and chopped peanuts. There you go, a super easy and delicious keto chicken pad thai all in under 30 minutes. It makes 4-6 large servings so you have enough for the whole family + some extra leftovers!

Variations

Spicy - Red pepper flakes or chili paste can easily add as much heat as you want. Sambal oelek can be added to this dish to give it an extra layer of heat and complexity. The chili paste's slight acidity also helps balance out the sweetness of the tamarind sauce.

Vegetables - Add your choice. 

Common Questions

Is Pad Thai keto?

Regular pad Thai is not keto. It is primarily made with rice noodles which are made from rice and have a lot of carbs.

What Noodles Do You Use For A Keto Pad Thai?

I use Shirataki noodles (aka miracle noodles) for my keto pad thai. These noodles are popular in Asian dishes and are made from ground konjac yams.

If you haven't heard of Shirataki noodles yet, then let me introduce you to your new best friend!

Shirataki noodles are 97% water and 3% fiber and that means they are 0 net carbs per serving and near 0 calories per serving. They are the perfect weight loss noodle.

Where Can You Buy Keto Pad Thai Noodles?

Shirataki noodles might seem like an obscure ingredient, but they're actually pretty easy to find! Any world market or Asian market will have them.

They are also becoming increasingly available in health food grocery stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I even saw Shirataki noodles at my local Walmart! Learn more about shirataki noodles here.

What Do Shirataki Noodles Taste Like?

Shirataki noodles are virtually tasteless which makes them perfect for the flavorful sauce in this keto pad thai. The noodles come in a package with water and when first opened you might notice an unpleasant odor, but fear not!

Simply drain then thoroughly rinse the noodles to remove the odor. Cook the noodles in a wok or pan with no oil to completely remove the excess water and to give them a more familiar noodle-like texture.

 

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This is a guest post from Kailey from Living Fresh Daily. I'm super excited to be sharing my keto pad thai recipe for my first guest post. It's quick, easy, and full of flavor and is one of my go-to recipes for those busy nights. Make sure to try these Rainbow Spring Rolls too!

 

Looking for more unique Keto Dinner Ideas? Try these:

Coconut Chicken Curry

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Chicken Tikka Masala Slow Cooker Recipe

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

 

Originally Published March 19, 2019. Revised and Republished May 16, 2023.