Thai Peanut Protein Pasta (Printable)
High-protein Thai pasta with creamy peanut dressing, chicken, edamame, and crisp vegetables ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (substitute firm tofu for vegetarian)
02 - 1 cup shelled edamame, cooked
→ Pasta
03 - 8 oz whole wheat or high-protein pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, julienned
05 - 1 cup shredded carrots
06 - 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
07 - 3 spring onions, sliced
08 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
09 - 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
10 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
11 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 clove garlic, minced
15 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
16 - 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed to thin
17 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
18 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
19 - Lime wedges for serving
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain through a colander, rinse thoroughly under cold running water to halt cooking, and set aside to drain completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, diced chicken or tofu, cooked edamame, julienned bell pepper, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, spring onions, and chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth and creamy. Add water one tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until the dressing reaches a pourable, drizzle-friendly consistency. Stir in red pepper flakes if desired.
04 - Pour the peanut dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss vigorously using tongs or a large spoon until every component is thoroughly and evenly coated.
05 - Transfer to a serving platter or divide among individual bowls. Scatter chopped roasted peanuts over the top and arrange lime wedges alongside for squeezing.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop and meld together before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The peanut lime dressing clings to every noodle fold and makes each bite explosive with savory, sweet, and tangy flavor all at once.
- It comes together in thirty minutes flat with zero cooking finesse required, which means you can make it while barely awake and still impress everyone at the table.
02 -
- If you rinse the pasta but forget to drain it thoroughly, the extra water will thin your dressing into a sad puddle at the bottom of the bowl.
- Natural peanut butter separates, so stir it thoroughly before measuring or your dressing will be either too oily or too stiff depending on what part of the jar you scooped from.
03 -
- Toast the chopped peanuts in a dry skillet for two minutes before garnishing because the warm nutty aroma transforms the entire eating experience.
- Make double the dressing and keep half in a jar in the fridge for emergency grain bowls, dipping vegetables, or drizzling over scrambled eggs the next morning.