20-min. Easy Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)
Spicy rice noodles stir fried in a savory sauce with tender chicken, vegetables, and aromatics! These quick and easy Thai drunken noodles are better than take-out and ready in 20 minutes. Great as a main or meal for the spice-lovers!Note: this recipe has been updated for improvement as of Oct 1, 2025.
- Prep time
- 13 min
- Cook time
- 7 min
- Yield
- 3 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb fresh wide rice noodles (separated (see Notes below for substitutes))
- ½ lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (thinly sliced)
- 2 tsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce, to season chicken)
- 2 cups Chinese broccoli (chopped into 2-inch-long pieces with stalks sliced thinly)
- 1 cup Holy basil (or Thai basil)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 bird's eye chili (or Thai red chili, deseeded & chopped)
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir fry sauce)
- 2 tsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce)
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 5 tsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or rice vinegar / apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp water (cold or room temp)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the noodle sauce ingredients as listed above until the sugar is dissolved and set aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, season the sliced chicken thighs with oyster sauce and set aside.
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon / 15 ml vegetable oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Fry seasoned chicken thighs until cooked, about 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan.
- 4
Sauté minced garlic and chopped red chilies for 10 seconds. Push to the side. Add remaining vegetable oil into empty space. Then add chopped Chinese broccoli and toss with aromatics. Cook until leaves have softened, about 1 minute.
- 5
Add in fresh rice noodles and noodle sauce. Gently toss until evenly coated and most of the sauce has absorbed into the noodles. Let noodles sit and char in the pan for 30-60 seconds for extra flavor.
- 6
Add in cooked chicken and basil. Gently toss everything together until combined. Serve and enjoy!