Perfect for Lunch: Crispy Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches

Welcome to my recipe for Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches, also known as Banh Mi Ga. This sandwich is an explosion of incredible Asian flavors tucked inside a crispy and slightly chewy baguette. It’s refreshing, savory, and filling all at once, marking it as one of my favorite Vietnamese eats.

This recipe has been perfected through years of experimentation and offers a fantastic way to introduce yourself to the world of Vietnamese cuisine. With some preparation and following the steps closely, you will find yourself with a mouth-watering banh mi that is worthy of any authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

Get ready to explore the delectable and sensational taste of Vietnamese grilled chicken and fresh coriander leaves nestled inside crispy bread with pickled carrots daikon, crunchy cucumbers, mild pepper sweetness, and earthy romaine lettuce. The Asian-inspired sauce binds all these ingredients together for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

So prep your kitchen and get ready to savor a wholesome flavor profile that not only tastes great but is also easy on your wallet. Ready? Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Are you in search of fresh, punchy and flavor-packed food that reflects the vibrant Asian flavors? Look no further as Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches are the perfect comfort food for you.

This recipe is inspired by the Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches, and it’s perfect for those who love a good balance of sweet, salty, tangy and spicy flavors in one dish. It’s also a fantastic way to taste-test exotic flavors without feeling overwhelmed.

Now, let me tell you why you’ll love this recipe. Bite into the crispy baguette filled with juicy grilled chicken that has been marinated in lemongrass, fish sauce, sugar and soy sauce. The burst of Asian flavors is balanced with pickled carrots and white daikon radish; fresh cucumber slices; spicy jalapeno peppers; and a flavorful mix of cilantro leaves and mint.

But wait – there’s more! Step away from tradition and add some homemade chicken liver pate for that extra punch of umami richness.

The marriage of these ingredients results in an explosion of flavors that are perfect for any meal occasion. Whether it’s a road trip snack, weekend brunch or lunch on the go – these Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches are sure to win hearts over.

So what are you waiting for? Experience the bold Asian flavors right at home with my easy-to-follow recipe for Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches.

Ingredient List

Ingredients that give the Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches their unique taste

To create this authentic Vietnamese chicken sandwich recipe, we will need the following ingredients:

• Bánh mì – The French baguette bread that is crunchy on the outside yet light and fluffy in the middle.

• Chicken – 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thigh.

• Fresh Vegetables – cucumber, carrot, romaine lettuce, and fresh coriander leaves.

• Pickled Vegetables – pickled carrots and daikon radish.

• Sauce

• Sauce 1: Fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic clove, pepper

• Sauce 2: Low-sodium soy sauce, sugar, lemongrass (optional)

• Mayonnaise – Reduced-fat mayonnaise paired with Vietnamese-style chicken pate can provide a perfect flavored spread on the sandwich.

These ingredients blend together to make an extremely flavorful Asian-style sandwich. You can find all these ingredients at an Asian market or even at your local grocery store.

The Recipe How-To

Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the fun part which is putting them all together to make a mouthwatering Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich(Bánh Mì Gà Nướng).

Ingredients

• Shredded chicken: You can use either grilled or roasted chicken for this recipe. Shred it using a fork or your hands.
• Pickled carrots and daikon: Thinly sliced and marinated for at least an hour in a mixture of sugar, water, vinegar, and salt.
• Fresh vegetables: Romaine lettuce leaves, cucumber slices, and fresh coriander leaves.
• Banh Mi Bread Roll: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Sauce: A homemade sauce made up of mayonnaise, fish sauce, garlic cloves, sugar, and lime juice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preparing the sauce. In a small bowl mix mayonnaise, fish sauce, garlic cloves(crushed), sugar and lime juice until smooth.

Step 2: Slice Banh Mi Bread Rolls in half lengthways(optional) and toast them on a grill or pan until crispy.

Step 3: Assemble your sandwich by spreading the sauce generously over each side of the bread roll.

Step 4: Place shredded chicken over one bread roll followed by pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber slices, fresh coriander leaves, and thinly sliced peppers or jalapeño.

Step 5: Repeat with the other half of the bread roll.

Culinary Tips

• For a vegetarian option replace shredded chicken with tofu or paneer(Indian cheese).
• Add a little bit of sriracha sauce for extra spiciness.
• Use lemongrass chicken or chicken pate instead of shredded chicken
• Take out some of the bread from the center to make space for the filling.
• You can make pickled carrots and daikon ahead of time and refrigerate for up to a week.

There you have it, a fresh and delicious Banh Mi sandwich made right in your own home that is bursting with Vietnamese and Asian flavors.

Substitutions and Variations

Looking to switch things up? Here are some substitutions and variations to try out with your Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich recipe.

– Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken, feel free to replace it with another protein such as grilled steak, roast pork, or tofu. You can also try using shredded chicken or lemongrass chicken thigh for a twist on traditional grilled chicken.

– Bread: While the French baguette is the traditional bread used for Banh Mi, you can use whole grain bread or even pita bread for a healthier option.

– Vegetables: Don’t be afraid to mix up your veggies! Try swapping out the romaine lettuce with kale or spinach for an extra boost of greens. You can also add in sliced jalapenos for an extra kick of heat.

– Sauces: The Vietnamese grilled chicken banh mi sandwich is typically served with a combination of fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. However, if you prefer a sweeter taste, try adding honey or maple syrup. You can also experiment with different sauces like hoisin sauce or sriracha mayo to add more Asian flavours to your sandwich.

– Pickles: Pickled carrots and daikon are key components in any authentic Banh Mi sandwich, but you can switch things up by using other pickled vegetables like cucumber or peppers.

Don’t forget that this recipe is very customizable and you can adjust it to suit your tastes. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different combinations of ingredients!

Serving and Pairing

With its fusion of Asian flavours, the Vietnamese chicken sandwich or banh mi is a delightful mix of textures and tastes that will leave your taste buds craving more. Served on a soft, crusty baguette with grilled or roasted chicken, this sandwich is perfect for lunch or as a light dinner bite.

To bring out the spicy flavours in the chicken, pair it with fresh romaine lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber and pepper, and grated carrot for crunchiness. The pickled carrots and daikon add an irresistible tangy contrast to the savoury chicken, while the fresh coriander leaves give a subtle burst of herby zing.

For a complete meal experience, you can serve Vietnamese chicken sandwiches with rice paper rolls, spring rolls or even dumplings on the side. A bowl of steaming hot pho soup will make for an excellent complement to the sandwich.

If you prefer a lighter option, serve your banh mi as an open-face sandwich or over a bed of mixed salad greens. The vibrant colours of the veggies create an appealing presentation that’s packed full of nutrition.

Pair your Vietnamese sandwiches with cold beverages such as iced tea with lemon, lemongrass water or coconut juice for the perfect balance. In addition, beer lovers can indulge in a crisp lager or wheat beer to balance out the fire of the chilli peppers in the pickled veggies.

Whatever choice you make, these serving suggestions will help elevate the deliciousness of your Vietnamese-style chicken sandwich.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

One of the great things about Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches is that they can be made ahead of time and stored for later use. I recommend making the sandwich ingredients, such as pickled carrots, daikon, fresh coriander leaves, romaine lettuce, cucumber and peppers ahead of time and keeping them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. This will save time when it comes to assembling the sandwiches.

As for the grilled chicken or roasted chicken, it’s best to cook them fresh just before serving. However, leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. You can reheat it gently in a pan, oven or microwave until heated through.

The chicken pate and lemongrass chicken can be kept in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge or frozen for up to three months. If freezing, do so before grilling or roasting and then defrost before using.

For the Banh Mi sauce, I recommend making it fresh on the day you plan to serve your Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches. However, if you have any leftover sauce, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

When reheating your Banh Mi sandwich, it’s important to warm only the bread itself – nothing else. You don’t want your vegetables to turn mushy or your chicken to become overcooked. Toasting the bread again or broiling briefly can give you a fresh baked feel.

This dish is perfect for meal-prep and one of my favourite things about it – banh mi sandwiches taste better next day after they have been assembled because all aromatic components from pickles, herbs and spices has found its way between layers of bread and spread ensuring maximum flavour experience when eventually eating cold during lunchtime at work.

Tips for Perfect Results

One of the keys to making the perfect Vietnamese chicken sandwiches is to invest in quality ingredients and follow the recipe as precisely as possible. However, there are some tips that can take your sandwich to the next level.

First, if you are making your own pickled carrots and daikon, make sure to let them sit in the brine for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop a tangy taste that complements the chicken perfectly.

Another tip is to use a mix of romaine lettuce and fresh coriander leaves for the filling. The romaine lettuce provides a crunchy texture while the coriander leaves add freshness and Asian flavors.

When grilling or roasting the chicken, brush it with lemongrass marinade for added flavor. You can also use shredded chicken instead of grilled chicken if you prefer.

Toasting the baguette before assembling the sandwich makes a huge difference in texture and taste. It adds a light charred flavor to the bread and gives it a crisp texture that pairs well with the tender chicken and vegetables.

Lastly, don’t be shy with the sauce! The sauce is what brings all of these flavors together. I recommend drizzling a generous amount of Vietnamese style sauce on top of your chicken before adding vegetables on top. And you can also serve it as dipping sauce on side too.

By following these tips, you’ll create an incredibly tasty Vietnamese chicken sandwich that is sure to impress anyone who tries it!

FAQ

Before concluding this recipe article, I would like to share some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches. By knowing the answers to these questions, you can ensure perfect results when making this dish and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

What is a traditional Vietnamese sandwich?

Banh Mi is a unique sandwich originating from Vietnam, which may sound unusual due to its unexpected blend of ingredients. The sandwich consists of crispy bread rolls, spread with pate and mayo, coupled with Asian-style ham, mouth-watering pickled veggies, fresh green onions, fragrant coriander, a good amount of spicy peppers and a seasoning sauce.

Why is Vietnamese sandwich so good?

The Banh Mi Huynh Hoa sandwich from Vietnam has gained widespread popularity owing to its unique combination of various cold cuts along with sliced veggies like cucumber, onions, peppers, and carrot shreds. The filling is layered with homemade mayonnaise and chili sauce to add a tangy flavor to the dish.

What makes Bahn MI so good?

Vietnamese cuisine offers a distinct blend of Asian flavours such as coriander, pickles, chili, and fish sauce. The French influence, as a result of colonialism, permeates Vietnamese cuisine, with the introduction of items like baguettes and pate. The use of coriander in a banh mi sandwich creates a uniquely flavourful experience that foreigners find especially appealing.

What meat is used in banh mi?

The origins of banh mi can be traced back to Vietnamese culture where they were originally a type of sandwich filled with various meats and flavored with Asian spices. Typically, pork, chicken, and pate are commonly used fillings for this dish.

What is in a Saigon sandwich?

The Vietnamese roll or sandwich is a fascinating blend of traditional Vietnamese ingredients like pork sausage, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon with a mixture of French elements like pâté, red chili, and creamy mayonnaise.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves bold Asian flavors. From the fresh coriander leaves to the crispy romaine lettuce and crunchy cucumbers, every ingredient in this recipe is there to excite your taste buds. The tender and succulent grilled chicken paired with the tangy pickled carrots and daikon, all drenched in a sweet and savory sauce, make this sandwich hard to resist.

With so many variations and substitutions possible, you can tailor this recipe to your liking without losing its amazing flavors. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-lover, there is always a way to remix the ingredients and make it work for you.

This recipe is also perfect for meal prep or weekday lunches as it is easy to store and reheat. Many of the ingredients can be made ahead of time, and the meat can be cooked in batches for several meals in one go. It is also very beginner-friendly and can be made with minimal cooking skills or experience.

Overall, this recipe will transport you straight into the heart of culinary Vietnam with its authentic yet accessible flavors. You won’t regret trying out this irresistible Vietnamese Chicken Sandwich recipe!

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