Pad Thai Chicken (or Shrimp)

Yield: 5-6 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes + time to soak rice noodles (check the package)

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35-50 minutes (depending on rice noodles)

Ingredients:

10 oz Thai rice noodles (for gluten free check the package for GF symbol or Gluten Free designation)

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½ inch cubes, or 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp

2 TBSP vegetable oil (light olive oil would work also)

2 TBSP brown sugar

¼ cup soy sauce (for gluten free use Tamari, and for heart healthy try to find reduced sodium)

2 TBSP rice vinegar

Juice from ½ lime

1 TBSP fish sauce

1 red bell pepper, julienned, then halved

1-1/2 cups matchstick carrots (you could also find shredded carrots in salad section in supermarket)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

6 green onions, diced (white and green parts)

2 cups bean sprouts

3 large eggs

½ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

Red pepper flakes for serving

Directions:

1. Read rice noodle package to see if you need to soak them ahead of time. If so, do so first thing, then prep the ingredients.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce/Tamari, rice vinegar, lime juice, and fish sauce.

3. Cook rice noodles according to directions on the package after soaking (if suggested).

4. While noodles are cooking, heat oil in a wok or 12-inch saute’ pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute’ until cooked through and browned slightly, approximately 5 minutes. If using shrimp cook for about 2 – 3 minutes or until opaque and browned slightly.

5. Transfer chicken/shrimp to a plate. In the same wok or saute’ pan saute’ bell pepper and carrots for a couple of minutes, then add the garlic, green onions, and bean sprouts for 1 more minute.

6. Push vegetables to the outside of the wok/saute’ pan or remove to a separate bowl temporarily.

7. Crack the eggs into a small bowl first, then scramble in the wok/saute’ pan until cooked through. Add the chicken, vegetables (if removed), rice noodles, and sauce, then toss it all together for another minute.

8. Serve immediately topped with cilantro, peanuts, and red pepper flakes.