Making a Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich at home is easier you think! This quick Banh Mi recipe has authentic flavors and only takes 25 minutes to make.

Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich

Name: Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast (cut into thin slices); 1 jalapeno (thinly sliced); 1 English cucumber (cut into strips); 2 small shallots (finely chopped); 1 clove garlic (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; juice of 1 lime; 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 baguette; mayonnaise; sriracha sauce; handful cilantro; 1/2 cup carrots (cut into thin strips); 1/2 cup daikon (peeled and cut into thin strips); 1/4 cup warm water; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons sugar

After a long day of SEO, social media and retouching pictures, dinnertime rolls around and snaps me out of my computer induced haze.

If the decision to order out is made (hey – I don’t cook every day!), Ben will likely suggest grabbing a banh mi sandwich from one of the many shops that flank our brownstone. We’re spoiled for choice in Brooklyn when it comes to ordering a zesty, flavorful Vietnamese sandwich.

While I absolutely love eating banh mi, sometimes the classic preparation – which usually contains multiple meaty ingredients – seems a little heavy for summer dining.

It got me thinking that I could whip up a delicious chicken banh mi sandwich that would have all of the deep, soulful flavors of the original, minus a few calories.

It is bikini season after all!

Who would have guessed that making a banh mi sandwich at home would be a nod to so many cultural food influences?

Usually made with different cuts of meat and pate, this sandwich is the perfect hybrid of French and Vietnamese food coming together in harmony – which is made all the more interesting considering the long and complicated history of the French in Vietnam. While the specifics of the colonial occupation that resulted in this food hybrid are for a much longer conversation (preferably over a glass of Pastis), it resulted in bread being introduced to the Vietnamese food lexicon.

In fact some might argue that the only good things to come from that complicated period in Vietnam were coffee and French bread.

A couple of generations removed, and now most of the ingredients for this delicious chicken banh sandwich mi recipe can easily be obtained at your local grocery store!

What is Banh Mi?

Well, banh mi literally translates into ‘bread’ – but normally references a sandwich served on a flaky, fresh French style baguette. Instead of relying solely on wheat flour, the Vietnamese version of the baguette will usually use wheat and rice flour. This results in a lighter, crispier crust and an airier texture to the bread.

The fillings differ from preparation to preparation, however most classic banh mi sandwich recipes will have pate, a cold cut like thin sliced ham and maybe spiced ground meat or pork belly for good measure.

What is ubiquitous in a banh mi sandwich is the use of vinegary and sweet pickled carrots and daikon radish – along with fresh cilantro, cucumber and (optional) fresh jalapeños.

It is also quite common to use mayonnaise and a chili sauce like sriracha in your banh mi sandwich. It is truly a mash up of ingredients endemic to France and Vietnam, used in harmony to create something spectacular.

A Healthier Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich

My own take on the Vietnamese banh mi sandwich is super simple, delicious and something you can easily make at home.

The only protein is lean chicken breast – but, fear not, the chicken packs in plenty of assertive flavor from marinating it in fish sauce and other classic Vietnamese ingredients (similar to this pork chop recipe).

The long-dip in the marinade results in a hearty depth of flavor which is heightened when you sear the chicken breast in a grill pan or saute pan. It is then topped with pickled carrots, bright cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno, a squirt of sriracha and mayo – bringing the flavor profile you’d expect from the original.

This is an easy, healthier twist on the classic Vietnamese banh mi recipe.

Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Making a Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich at home is easier you think! This quick Banh Mi recipe has authentic flavor and only takes 25 minutes to make. Recipe, sandwich, Vietnamese, lunch, chicken sandwich, healthy, dinner | pickledplum.com

A recipe needs to be simple and delicious to convince me to cook after a long day in the trenches. Luckily, this smoky, bright and spicy chicken banh mi sandwich ticks both of those boxes – and will keep you light on your toes this summer!

Did you like this Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!