Make authentic Chicken Pad See Ew that’s savory, smoky, and packed with flavor at home with this easy Thai stir-fried noodle recipe!
What is Chicken Pad See Ew and what chicken is best to use?
Pad See Ew (ผัดซีà¸à¸´à¹Šà¸§) means in English “Stir-Fried with Soy Sauce” noodles, and is made with wide rice noodles, a savory soy-based sauce, Chinese broccoli, and a protein of choice.
This recipe uses chicken, and you can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs in Pad See Ew. We like to use chicken breast when we are trying to be extra healthy, but we love thighs too because they are so tender and flavorful!
It’s optional, but I like to marinate the chicken in a few tablespoons of oyster sauce for around 30 minutes to however long you have to help tenderize it.
Looking for other Thai noodle dishes? Check out my Beef Pad See Ew if you’d like a different protein option, or try my Shrimp Pad Thai recipe for authentic Pad Thai you can make at home, or Chicken Pad Thai if you are a chicken fan!
Chicken Pad See Ew Ingredients
2 tbsp Thai dark soy sauce – Gives the noodles their signature deep color and caramelized flavor.
2 tbspThai mushroom soy sauce – You can also use Thai light soy sauce, but I prefer the Mushroom soy sauce since it has extra umami flavor!
1 tbsp oyster sauce – Provides a rich, umami-packed taste.
3 tsp sugar – Balances the savory elements.
4 servings of flat, wide rice noodles (dry or fresh) – Essential for that classic chewy texture.
2 cups or so Chinese broccoli (or substitute with broccoli florets or kale) – Adds crunch and slight bitterness to balance the sauce.
3 garlic cloves, minced – Adds aromatic depth.
2 eggs – Creates richness and texture.
2 tbsp cooking oil – Any neutral oil works that can handle a high heat like coconut oil, avocado oil or peanut oil.
1 lb chicken breasts (around 2 breasts) or 1 lb chicken thighs – We love thighs, but we also love chicken breasts if we are trying to be more healthy, so use whatever you prefer.
1 tsp white pepper – Adds a subtle warmth.
Thai Sriracha (optional)-In Thai Hubby’s hometown of Sukhothai, some like to add Thai Sriracha to their Pad See Ew as a topping, so we like to and you might too!
Thai chili flakes (optional)-Pad See Ew isn’t traditionally spicy, but if you want it spicy, feel free to add some Thai chili flakes!
Prik Nam Som (Thai Chili Vinegar) – This is the bright, tangy chili vinegar you’ll find on every noodle shop table in Thailand. It’s just chilies and white vinegar, and a splash of it wakes up Pad See Ew.
Recipe Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Pad See Ew
Use high heat and let it sit a bit at the end to get that signature smoky wok flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the wok—cook each part separately as shared in the recipe, and don’t make more than 2 servings at a time in the wok to reduce moisture, which helps the noodles not turn mushy.
Thinly slice the chicken and marinate it so it cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce. It’s optional, but I like to marinate the chicken in a few tablespoons of oyster sauce for around 30 minutes to however long you have to help tenderize it.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: According to the USDA, leftovers are still good after 3-4 days of being in the fridge, but Pad See Ew noodles are really best eaten day of since the noodles start to harden up as they sit in the fridge.
Freezer: I wouldn’t recommend freezing leftover Pad See Ew since the cooked noodles don’t do well in the cold for long periods of time, and it would be difficult to soften them up.
Reheat: Warm the noodles in the microwave or a hot skillet. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen them up.
Sherri’s Story: Behind my Chicken Pad See Ew Recipe
A few weeks after I started living in Bangkok, I ordered Chicken Pad See Ew for the first time at a food stall in a cozy soi (alleyway). I loved the food vendor’s quaint wooden benches and how it was under a little building so there was some shade.
After the server brought me my Pad See Ew on a plastic blue plate, I stared at its simple beauty for a moment before digging in: the long, flat, wide, rice noodles that are nothing like spaghetti noodles I ate growing up, a crisp green Chinese broccoli, chicken and scrambled egg bits all mixed up in a dark sauce.
I smiled at how blessed I was to get to eat this masterpiece for only $1.00 and placed some on my spoon with my fork, and took a bite.
My tastebuds eagerly waited for the Thai spiciness to attack, but they were left wanting because the spiciness never showed up.
So I quickly added some chili flakes that are always on every Thai street food table, and a bit of sugar and fish sauce, mixed it up, took a bite, and tastebuds and I were happy and in Thai food bliss.
Not all Thai food is spicy! So if you can’t handle the heat, or just aren’t in the mood for spicy, Pad See Ew is a perfect, easy meal.
Pad See Ew has Chinese origins, brought to Thailand by Teochew immigrants from Southern China. Their stir-frying technique influenced many Thai noodle dishes and stir-fries. Similar to Cantonese Chow Fun, Pad See Ew’s name means “stir-fried with soy sauce.”
Can I make Pad See Ew spicy?Â
Pad See Ew is not typically spicy, but you can add Thai chili flakes or drizzle on some Thai Sriracha like Thai Hubby and I like to to add some heat.
Is Chicken Pad See Ew healthy?
Yes, especially when made with less oil, lean chicken breast, and plenty of veggies! Pad See Ew has Chinese broccoli, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It’s great for digestion, bone health, heart health, immunity, and weight management.
What is the difference between Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao?
Great question! Check out my Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao post to learn what’s the difference and which one is best for you!
What is the difference between Pad See Ew and Pad Thai?
Another great question! Check out my Pad See Ew vs Pad Thai post to learn what’s the difference and which one is best for you!
Love Thai Food? Get More Thai Recipes!
Want more Pad See Ew info and recipes? Here you go dear:
Recipe Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Pad See Ew
Use high heat and let it sit a bit at the end to get that signature smoky wok flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the wok—cook each part separately as shared in the recipe, and don’t make more than 2 servings at a time in the wok to reduce moisture, which helps the noodles not turn mushy.
Thinly slice the chicken and marinate it so it cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce. It’s optional, but I like to marinate the chicken in a few tablespoons of oyster sauce for around 30 minutes to however long you have to help tenderize it.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Category:Thai
Method:Stir-Fry
Cuisine:Thai
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I made a vegetarian version of this and it was YUMMY!!!!!
I only had one kind of soy sauce and used fish sauce in cooking as well. I also added single fresh tiny red chilly that are often found in SE Asian chilly vinegar. It added a good amount of heat for such a chilly addict like myself!! Fish sauce and oyster sauce is definitely worth getting to make authentic flavor work!
Great! Thanks for leaving your comment Dawn! I love it vegetarian as well. Fish sauce is an awesome substitute if you don’t have the soy sauce in this recipe. Thanks for pointing that out! Glad you thought it was YUMMY!!!
This recipe is wonderful! I came across your blog and decided to try this dish last night-my first attempt at Thai cooking. It turned out great and my boyfriend and I loved it. Thank you! Keep up the good work 🙂
That’s awesome Christina! I’m so glad your first attempt at Thai cooking turned out great and that this recipe helped you out. Thanks so much for sharing! We appreciate it 🙂
Could you please clarify something, do the cooked garlic & eggs get removed before the chicken is cooked, or is the chicken cooked in a seperate wok? Thankyou
Hi Kylie! Thanks so much for asking! They are all cooked in the same wok. I’ll adjust my recipe to make that more clear. Hope you enjoy your Pad See Ew!
I have tried making Pad See Ew a number of times and been disappointed each time with the outcome. I made this last week and it was so good and just how it tasted at the restaurant. Loved it so much I’m cooking it again tonight. Thai cuisine is my favourite and I will definitely be trying other dishes from your site.
Hi Riss! Ahh this makes me so happy to hear! Pad See Ew can be so tricky to get right at home, so I’m thrilled this one finally tasted like your favorite restaurant version, totally makes my day! Hope your second round was just as delicious. If you love Thai cuisine, you’re in the right place, can’t wait for you to try more dishes from my site! Let me know what you make next!
[…] on the Food Network. He sits in his high chair nearby, chowing down on his Thai-Style Omelette or Pad See Ew, while he gazes at the steam swirling up from my wok, listening to my spatulas woosh around, […]
[…] in Bangkok was spent on the sidewalk of the soi near our condo, eating Rad Na Moo, Krapaw Moo and Pad See Ew. I let every bite mingle in my mouth for awhile since I wanted it to last […]
[…] have rice noodles, and I didn’t have chinese broccoli, two important ingredients for authentic Pad See Ew, Thai Soy Sauce Noodles. I also didn’t have time to go buy them at the Asian market and make […]
I made a vegetarian version of this and it was YUMMY!!!!!
I only had one kind of soy sauce and used fish sauce in cooking as well. I also added single fresh tiny red chilly that are often found in SE Asian chilly vinegar. It added a good amount of heat for such a chilly addict like myself!! Fish sauce and oyster sauce is definitely worth getting to make authentic flavor work!
Thanks for the inspiration girl!!
Great! Thanks for leaving your comment Dawn! I love it vegetarian as well. Fish sauce is an awesome substitute if you don’t have the soy sauce in this recipe. Thanks for pointing that out! Glad you thought it was YUMMY!!!
This recipe is wonderful! I came across your blog and decided to try this dish last night-my first attempt at Thai cooking. It turned out great and my boyfriend and I loved it. Thank you! Keep up the good work 🙂
That’s awesome Christina! I’m so glad your first attempt at Thai cooking turned out great and that this recipe helped you out. Thanks so much for sharing! We appreciate it 🙂
Could you please clarify something, do the cooked garlic & eggs get removed before the chicken is cooked, or is the chicken cooked in a seperate wok? Thankyou
Hi Kylie! Thanks so much for asking! They are all cooked in the same wok. I’ll adjust my recipe to make that more clear. Hope you enjoy your Pad See Ew!
I have tried making Pad See Ew a number of times and been disappointed each time with the outcome. I made this last week and it was so good and just how it tasted at the restaurant. Loved it so much I’m cooking it again tonight. Thai cuisine is my favourite and I will definitely be trying other dishes from your site.
Hi Riss! Ahh this makes me so happy to hear! Pad See Ew can be so tricky to get right at home, so I’m thrilled this one finally tasted like your favorite restaurant version, totally makes my day! Hope your second round was just as delicious. If you love Thai cuisine, you’re in the right place, can’t wait for you to try more dishes from my site! Let me know what you make next!