Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (2024)

Get excited for this non-traditional sweet potato chicken pad Thai! It’s one of our favorite things to do – make comfort food way healthier. This healthy pad Thai recipe is Paleo, Whole30 and easy to make. You’re really going to enjoy all the Thai flavors with this cleaned up, healthy takeout recipe!

Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (1)

Healthier Thai Flavors

Thai food used to be a go-to for me and a set of flavors that just always sounded good. To be honest, it is the one type of cuisine I’ve truly missed since going Paleo. Lucky for you guys though, Justin created this flavorful and vibrant sweet potato chicken pad Thai that is sure to be a new favorite. It has the Thai like flavors but with healthy sweet potato noodles, creamy cashew butter and coconut aminos instead of peanut and soy. You will love how tasty and comforting this dish is.

this recipe

What Are Some Other Noodle Options?

Basically, any veggies you can turn into noodles will be pretty great! Our favorites are sweet potato and butternut squash. Carrot noodles would be good, and zucchini would work, too. We think you’ll find that sweet potato or butternut squash are most satisfying though! So what do you think? What will you try first?

Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (3)

Tips For Making The Sauce

The first time we made the sauce for this healthy pad Thai recipe, we used a bowl and a whisk and it didn’t get mixed up super well. If this happens to you don’t even worry about it! Just do the best you can to mix it up. It will be thick and feel like you can’t quite get everything combined. Promise…it’s going to turn out great! When you go to add it to the rest of the skillet, continue to mix it up in the pan. The heat will help break down the cashew butter, and it will all start to mix together just fine.

But…….we did find an easier way to mix the sauce. Just add the ingredients to a jar with a lid and shake it on up! This way of mixing helps to combine the ingredients for the sauce much better than mixing with a spoon or whisk.

Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (4)

Some Other Asian Inspired Recipes to Try

  • Coconut Lime Chicken
  • Thai Larb Recipe
  • Thai Basil Chicken Bowls
  • Teriyaki Beef Recipe
  • Healthy Cashew Chicken
  • Pork Ramen Noodles

Your Turn To Try Our Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai

Go make this healthy sweet potato chicken pad Thai recipe! You will love the flavor combo and enjoy a new way to re-create Thai cuisine. Let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below. Also, take a photo and tag us on Instagram @realsimplegood, so we can check it out! Make sure to give us a follow if you don’t already – let’s stay connected!

Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (5)

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Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (7)

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Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai (Paleo + Whole30)

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

This healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai has Thai flavors but with healthy sweet potato noodles, creamy cashew butter and coconut aminos instead of peanut and soy. You will love how tasty and comforting this dish is.

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Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into small cubes, (about 3 breasts)
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 green onions, diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, diced
  • 1/2 cup cashews, chopped
  • 3 sweet potatoes, spiralized into noodles
  • 3 tbsp sesame oil, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper

For the sauce:

  • 1/4 cup cashew butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos, (see recipe notes)
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 lime, juice of

Instructions

  • First, make the sauce by combining all of the sauce ingredients in a jar with a lid. Shake well to combine. Or, add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk well. The sauce will be thick using this method, but mix it up as much as you can to get a creamy consistency. Set aside.

  • Chop chicken as noted. Chop shallot, garlic, green onions, cilantro and cashews.

  • Turn sweet potatoes into noodles using a spiralizer.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add in 2 tbsp sesame oil. Once hot, add the sweet potato noodles. Toss with oil and season with a big pinch of salt and pepper (about 1/2 tsp each). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender but not too soft, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and place on a plate.

  • In the same pan over medium heat, add in 1 tbsp of sesame oil. Add in shallot and garlic to saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

  • Add in chicken. Season chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.

  • Next, crack the eggs into the pan. Scramble the eggs and cook for a few minutes, until the eggs are cooked through.

  • Add the sweet potato noodles back in. Pour in the sauce and mix.

  • Add in green onions, cilantro and cashews. Toss to mix and then serve.

Last Step:

Please leave a star rating and comment to let us know how you liked this recipe! Your ratings and reviews help our business grow, so we can continue to provide free healthy and delicious recipes for you.

Course: Main Course

Author: Erica Winn

Cuisine: Thai

Did you make this recipe?Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!

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posted by Erica Winn on November 9, 2019 (last updated Apr 12, 2022)

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131 comments on “Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo + Whole30)”

Leave a comment »

  1. Kay LaBerge Reply

    Dear Justin and Erica,

    Thank you again for yet another wonderful recipe! I also used your terrific recipe for coconut aminos! Very delicious and we are so thankful we have leftovers for lunch today!

    I’m disappointed in my spiralizer. Is it possible to recommend one that can handle sweet potatoes and butternut squash?

    Thank you!

    • Justin Winn Reply

      You’re very welcome, thanks for coming back to leave a rating and trying our recipes! We use this spiralizer and it seems to do well with harder things like squash and potatoes.

      • Anonymous Reply

        Thank you for your speedy response to my question! I appreciate your quick reply. I will try that spiralizer.

  2. Rachel Reply

    This recipe is incredible! I make this phad thai even when I’m not on whole30 becuase it’s so delicious and SO satisfying. 5 stars without a doubt!

    • Erica Winn Reply

      YESSS! We love hearing that so much! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We appreciate you! 🙂

  3. Carolyn Reply

    Awesome recipe. We really enjoyed this healthy alternative!!

  4. Traci Howells Reply

    Pad thai, but make it healthy. 🍜

    If you are craving some comfort food but want to stay on track, I love this version of Pad Thai more than I like the real thing.

    Pro-tip-double the sauce and make it the day before if you want to save time. Actually, double the entire recipe because you’ll want to eat it for days.

    Also, you can buy the noodles prepped, or spiralize them the day before as well. This meal comes together so fast if you do that, but it’s certainly worth every minute spent in the kitchen.

    However you do it, get this into your meal rotation. Even my kids love it. Easily one of my top five favorite meals. Thanks so much for creating this! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!

    • Justin Winn Reply

      Thanks for the great review and tips Traci!

  5. Heather Reply

    I made this last night for a date night meal for my husband and I and we are both obsessed! I really want to make it again for my whole family but my daughter is allergic to cashews. Are there any replacement ingredients for those things? Thanks!

    • Justin Winn Reply

      You could sub any other nut butter/nut for the cashews. We hope the whole family enjoys it!

  6. Shelby Reply

    SO delicious! Our favorite homemade pad thai ever (seriously…husband and I can’t stop talking about it). Pretty easy to make, as well! Highly recommend!!!

    • Justin Winn Reply

      We think this is a good one too, thanks for leaving a review 🙂

  7. Patricia Upshaw Reply

    My husband and I were sooooo surprised at how delicious this was! We are making it again tonight! Second time in 2 weeks!

    • Erica Winn Reply

      We LOVE hearing that! It’s an easy one to enjoy over and over! So glad you guys love it, too. Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review. Tag us in a pic on Instagram @realsimplegood. We’d love to share on in our stories. 🙂

  8. Jessie Reply

    Love this meal! Do you by chance have the macros for it?

    • Justin Winn Reply

      We don’t have the nutrition info, but you could get it from an online calculator like myfitnesspal.

  9. Katie B. Reply

    We tried this for the first time tonight—it was an instant hit! My family loved the creamy cashew sauce, and the balance of sweet and salty is absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make it again! 💛

    • Erica Winn Reply

      We’re so glad the whole family enjoyed it! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review! We really appreciate it! 🙂

  10. Karen Reply

    I am a huge fan of Thai food and this is sooo good! I might actually like it better than regular Pad Thai (say what?!) and will definitely continue to make this after Whole30 is over. Thank you!!

  11. Wendy Reply

    This was my first recipe from your blog that I tried. Well, we LOVED It! Even my bf who is not doing Whole 30, but is eating what I make for dinner loved it. This is going into the regular rotation. I didn’t have cashew butter, but I had almond butter and it worked great. I think next time I might add some water chestnuts for extra crunch with the cashews.

    • Justin Winn Reply

      You started off with a good one Wendy! Glad you both enjoyed this recipe, it’s a favorite of ours too 🙂

  12. Miley Klein Reply

    Hello! I absolutely LOVE this recipe. I’m wondering if anyone has ever shared point values for Weight Watchers?

    • Justin Winn Reply

      Glad you love the recipe! I’m not aware of anyone sharing point values.

  13. Andrea Reply

    This was fantastic! I used almond butter instead of cashew butter as that’s what I had available and it was delicious. Pinned to make again! Thank you for the tips and the video was super helpful.

    • Justin Winn Reply

      I hope you enjoy this one over and over Andrea!

  14. Caitlin Reply

    This recipe is definitely going to make a regular appearance in our house! It was fairly quick to make, but was full of flavour and was wonderful healthy comfort food for a cold January night. My little guy (almost 1yr old) loved it too and was happy to play with the noodles while he ate. I swapped almonds and almond butter for the cashew as it was what I had on hand and it still turned out delicious!

    • Justin Winn Reply

      So happy to hear that your son liked this one! Thanks for coming back to leave a rating and review, we really appreciate it 🙂

      • Sandra Reply

        Is the fish sauce necessary? If so, is there some kind of substitute?

        • Justin Winn Reply

          It definitely adds more salty, umami flavor. You can substitute more coconut aminos if needed.

  15. Ashley Rose Reply

    I was a tad skeptical but this recipe fully delivered!!! And it’s amazing!
    I subbed butternut squash and zucchini noodles since I didn’t have sweet potatoes & and it totally worked 🙂
    Will be making again !!

  16. Hannah Reply

    This recipe is so simple yet so delicious! My house is full of picky eaters and everyone (husband and toddlers) loved it! We will put this in our regular routine!

    • Erica Winn Reply

      We absolutely love hearing this one was a hit for the entire fam! Thanks so much for sharing on IG and for taking the time to come back and leave a review! We’re so grateful to connect with you. 🙂

  17. Leslie Reply

    So yummy and colorful – on day 17 of Whole30, this was a nice change from what we’ve been having! Couldn’t find cashew butter anywhere in Boston so I used almond butter – tasted great.

    • Erica Winn Reply

      So wonderful to hear! Thanks so much for giving our recipe a try, and for hopping over here to our site to leave a review! We appreciate it. 🙂

  18. Jacqueline Paetzold Reply

    Hi Justin & Erica! Just wanted to drop a note saying how much I love your recipes. I’ve been meaning to leave a comment/review for a while, and I’ve been wanting to find the time to write out the perfect post. But figured I needed to stop waiting and just do it. So this comment definitely isn’t specific to this recipe. I love your Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai, but also your Instant Pot Sloppy Joes, Dairy-Free Coffee Smoothie, and so many others. I follow several popular food blogs, and they don’t hold a candle to the consistency of healthy, simple, great-tasting recipes I find on your blog. I love having a place to come to where I feel like I can try a new recipe and know it’ll (a) consist of wholesome ingredients, (b) be relatively easy to put together, and (c) turn out great (& just like the picture!). That combination is a biggie—I definitely don’t have that sense of trust with many other blogs & recipe sources!

    Thank you for doing what you do! It’s extremely impactful to those of us who love making healthy, yummy food on a regular basis.

    • Erica Winn Reply

      Wow, Jacqueline! What an amazing message to receive! Thank you so very much for your kind and thoughtful words. We are so grateful you’re here, and it truly warms our hearts to know that you find our recipes and website so helpful and delicious! Thank you again for taking the time to share and be here. 🙂

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Healthy Sweet Potato Chicken Pad Thai Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 + Easy) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat sweet potatoes on a Whole30 diet? ›

Still, most Whole30 pros will tell you that having baked sweet potatoes on hand at all times is a smart move. Baked sweet potatoes can be halved and topped with sautéed veggies or browned meat. You can top them with a fried egg or eat them with ghee and salt as a quick meal.

Can you have sweet potatoes on paleo? ›

Yes — sweet potatoes are generally considered a paleo-approved food, however, some paleo dieters prefer to limit their consumption to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates that spike their blood sugar levels.

Is chicken pad Thai healthy? ›

Chicken pad Thai is high in protein, with 38 grams per serving. It's healthier than takeout and isn't oily. You can make this recipe with shrimp or tofu. Easily make this chicken pad Thai vegan.

Are sweet potato fries Whole30 approved? ›

Sweet potato fries are baked crispy and topped with plenty of No Sugar Hickory Smoked Bacon, dairy-free cheese sauce, green onions, avocado and tomatoes. This fun meal or appetizer is kid approved, paleo, Whole30 compliant and seriously tasty!

What vegetables are not allowed on Whole30? ›

Green beans. Most peas (sugar snap, snow, green, yellow, and split peas) Ghee or clarified butter. Coconut aminos (made from fermented coconut syrup)

Can you eat bananas on Whole30? ›

What about bananas? Yes, both pickles and bananas are allowed on Whole30. Yet if they are a potential trigger food for you (for instance, the sweetness of bananas sets off a craving for other treats or makes you want to binge on the fruit), then you may consider including them on your “don't eat” list.

What sweetener is OK on paleo diet? ›

Paleo-Friendly Sweeteners

Raw honey might have been most prevalent to cavemen so this would be approved if you're going the paleo route! Maple syrup and molasses are also paleo. Maple syrup, in its purest form without any additives, is a naturally occurring sugar extracted from maple trees.

What fruit is OK on paleo? ›

Of course, any and all fruits are welcome on the paleo diet including apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. And don't forget tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams, and so on.

Can you eat rice on paleo? ›

Strict paleo dieters exclude all grains from their diets — including rice — primarily due to their high phytate content. Although it's technically prohibited, many people still consume small amounts of white rice while following a paleo diet because it's lower in phytates, compared with other types.

What is the healthiest Thai dish to eat? ›

10 of Our Favorite Healthy Thai Dishes, According to a Dietitian
  • Papaya salad.
  • Pomelo salad.
  • Spring rolls.
  • Clear spicy Thai soup.
  • Hainanese chicken with rice.
  • Steamed fish.
  • Coconut lemongrass clams.
  • Garlic stir-fried vegetables.
Aug 19, 2022

What's healthier, Thai or Indian? ›

Thai also tends to have fewer carbohydrates than other ethnic cuisines like Indian or Chinese. This makes Thai a great choice for those who are trying to lose weight! Thai is most often cooked with coconut oil, which is high in MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides).

Is pizza or Thai healthier? ›

But…is Thai food healthy? When it comes to takeaway options Thai food is often seen as the healthier choice. Pizza is usually greasy, loaded with cheese, has processed meats and has a high carbohydrate base; Burgers are a bit the same…

Can you eat too many potatoes on Whole30? ›

If this is your context, use white potatoes sparingly in your Whole30 meal plan, if at all. Plus, if you eat mashed potatoes with every dinner, you'll miss out on a world of colorful, nutrient-dense vegetables to explore. Bust out of your potato rut and discover a newfound love of Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or kale!

Can you have popcorn on Whole30? ›

IS POPCORN WHOLE30? No — popcorn is made from a whole grain (dried corn AKA popcorn kernels), and grains are eliminated on the Whole30 diet.

Is olive oil ok for Whole30? ›

Extra virgin olive oil is approved and Whole30 compliant. Regular olive oil (aka pure olive oil) and light tasting oil are also approved by the authors. While on the Whole30 plan, you should avoid most packaged salad dressings and mayonnaise. Most of these products are made with seed oils and are not compliant.

What kind of potatoes are allowed on Whole30? ›

Are Potatoes Whole30? Yes! As of January 2021, all varieties of potatoes are included in the Whole30 diet. Yet, the catch is that fries and chips are not included in the diet as they are not considered to be “real” or whole foods.

What should I eat on Whole30 when I crave sweets? ›

  1. Roasted Strawberries and Coconut Cream. Sweets made simple and with real ingredients are winners in our book. ...
  2. Whole30 Berries & Cream Crisp. ...
  3. Paleo Sweet Potato Mousse. ...
  4. Homemade Cookie Dough Larabars. ...
  5. Whole30 Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream. ...
  6. Grilled Fruit Salad. ...
  7. Paleo Lemon Cookie Dough Bites. ...
  8. No-Bake Coconut Blueberry Pie.
Mar 31, 2020

What are starchy vegetables on Whole30? ›

Make sure you don't forget about cooking up + eating starchy veggies such as sweet potatoes, winter squashes, plantains, carrots, rutabagas, turnips, + bananas!

What foods are off limits on Whole30? ›

What Can't You Eat?
  • Added real or artificial sugars.
  • Alcohol.
  • Carrageenan—a type of plant-based sugar—or sulfites.
  • Commercially-prepared chips or French fries.
  • Dairy products, except for clarified butter or ghee.
  • Foods recreated with allowed Whole30 ingredients (e.g., coconut milk ice cream)
  • Grains.
Dec 13, 2023

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