Can I make a Banh Mi Sandwich ahead of time?

Yes—but for best texture, store ingredients separately and assemble right before eating so the bread doesn’t get soggy.

What’s a good vegetarian option for Banh Mi?

Tofu is fantastic—grill or pan-fry it with soy sauce and garlic for a flavorful punch. You can also add a fried egg for extra richness.

Can I use regular bread if I don’t have a baguette?

Sure! Just make sure it has some structure and crust to hold all that goodness in.

Banh Mi Sandwich - Chicken magic recipes

Description

This flavor-packed Banh Mi Sandwich is a Vietnamese classic loaded with grilled chicken, pickled veggies, spicy jalapeños, and fresh herbs—all layered into a crispy baguette. It’s the perfect fusion of savory, tangy, spicy, and fresh in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pickled Vegetables:

1 cup carrots, julienned
1 cup daikon radish, julienned
½ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt

For the Protein:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
1 tablespoon oil

For the Sandwich:

4 Vietnamese-style baguettes or sub rolls
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 tablespoons chicken pâté (optional)
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon Maggi seasoning or soy sauce
Lime wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

Pickle the Veggies: In a bowl, whisk vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Add carrots and daikon, and let them sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
Marinate the Chicken: In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, honey, and oil. Add chicken and marinate for 20–30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-sear the chicken until fully cooked and golden brown, about 5–7 minutes per side. Let rest, then slice.
Prepare the Bread: Lightly toast the baguettes until crisp on the outside but soft inside.
Assemble: Spread mayo and pâté on the bread. Layer on chicken slices, pickled veggies, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro, and a drizzle of Maggi or soy sauce.
Serve: Finish with a squeeze of lime and enjoy immediately!

Notes

Feel free to swap in tofu or fried egg for a vegetarian version.
The pickled vegetables can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in the fridge.
Pâté adds richness, but it’s totally optional if you’re not into it!
To save time, use rotisserie chicken and just build the sandwich from there.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main course
Method: Grilling, Assembly
Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 460 kcal
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 970 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg