If you’re craving a quick and delightful dinner that’s packed with flavor, look no further than this 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai. With its zesty sauce, tender chicken, and a medley of colorful veggies, this dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or hosting a cozy dinner, this Pad Thai will surely impress.
Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Rotation

This 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai is a game changer for your weeknight dinners. It’s incredibly versatile, quick to prepare, and loaded with fresh ingredients. With just 30 minutes required from start to finish, you can whip up a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your home. Plus, it uses pantry staples and fresh produce, making it a perfect candidate for a busy weeknight meal. Your family will love it, and you’ll love how easy it is to make!
Ingredients at a Glance

- 6 ounces Pad Thai/wide rice noodles
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- Black pepper and chili flakes, to taste
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (or olive oil)
- 3/4 pound ground chicken
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2-3 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups mung bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro or Thai basil
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
What’s in the Gear List

- Large skillet or wok – Perfect for stir-frying your ingredients.
- Pot – To cook the rice noodles.
- Spatula – Ideal for tossing everything together.
- Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Cutting board and knife – Essential for chopping veggies and proteins.
Method: 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai.
Step 1: Prepare the Noodles
Start by cooking the Pad Thai noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, fish sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, and chili flakes. Set this flavorful sauce aside for later.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the chicken into small pieces as it cooks.
Step 4: Sauté the Veggies
Once the chicken is cooked, add the sliced shallot and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the veggies are tender and the shallot is translucent.
Step 5: Add Garlic and Butter
Stir in the chopped garlic and salted butter, cooking for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 6: Scramble the Eggs
Push the chicken and vegetables to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the other side and scramble them until fully cooked. Mix everything together once the eggs are done.
Step 7: Combine the Noodles and Sauce
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the prepared sauce. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the sauce and warmed through.
Step 8: Add Fresh Ingredients
Fold in the mung bean sprouts, chopped cilantro or Thai basil, and green onions. Give everything one last toss to combine all the ingredients.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Plate your delicious 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai and top with chopped roasted peanuts for added crunch. Serve hot and enjoy every flavorful bite!
Spring–Summer–Fall–Winter Ideas
- Spring: Add asparagus and snap peas for a fresh spring twist.
- Summer: Toss in some zucchini noodles for a light, low-carb option.
- Fall: Include roasted butternut squash for a seasonal touch.
- Winter: Add kale or spinach for a hearty, nutritious boost.
Method to the Madness
This 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai is all about balance. The combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors creates a harmonious dish that excites the palate. The quick cooking method ensures that the ingredients retain their freshness and vibrant colors, making your meal as appealing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite proteins or vegetables, making it a versatile option for any weeknight dinner.
Keep-It-Fresh Plan
To keep your 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or additional sauce to prevent the noodles from drying out. If you prefer meal prepping, you can prepare the sauce and chop your veggies in advance, making the cooking process even quicker when it’s time to eat.
Helpful Q&A
Can I use a different protein instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! You can substitute ground turkey, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly for different proteins.
What if I can’t find Pad Thai noodles?
If you can’t find Pad Thai noodles, wide rice noodles or even spaghetti can work in a pinch. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time based on the noodle type you choose.
Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! To make it vegetarian, replace the ground chicken with tofu and use a plant-based butter. For a vegan option, also substitute the eggs with a flax egg or omit them entirely.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the heat level, add more chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce when serving. You can also incorporate sliced jalapeños for an extra kick!
Ready, Set, Cook
Now that you’re equipped with this easy and delicious recipe, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking! Your kitchen will soon be filled with the irresistible aroma of garlic butter and savory chicken, making dinner an event to look forward to. Enjoy your 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai with family and friends, and watch it become a beloved staple in your home. Happy cooking!

30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Pad Thai/wide rice noodles
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- Black pepper and chili flakes to taste
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (or olive oil)
- 3/4 pound ground chicken
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 shallot sliced
- 4-6 cloves garlic chopped
- 2-3 eggs beaten
- 2 cups mung bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro or Thai basil
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts chopped
Instructions
- Start by cooking the Pad Thai noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse them under cold water to prevent sticking and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, fish sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, and chili flakes. Set this flavorful sauce aside for later.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the chicken into small pieces as it cooks.
- Once the chicken is cooked, add the sliced shallot and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the veggies are tender and the shallot is translucent.
- Stir in the chopped garlic and salted butter, cooking for an additional minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Push the chicken and vegetables to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the other side and scramble them until fully cooked. Mix everything together once the eggs are done.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the prepared sauce. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the sauce and warmed through.
- Fold in the mung bean sprouts, chopped cilantro or Thai basil, and green onions. Give everything one last toss to combine all the ingredients.
- Plate your delicious 30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai and top with chopped roasted peanuts for added crunch. Serve hot and enjoy every flavorful bite!
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Pot
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with tofu and use plant-based butter.
- Feel free to add your favorite veggies to customize the dish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
