lilbobby
Culinary Explorer
Xin chào, food lovers! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Vietnam in these Vietnamese-Inspired Banh Mi Sandwiches. This fusion dish takes the classic banh mi and adds a twist with tender grilled lemongrass chicken, crunchy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and creamy mayo, all nestled in a crispy baguette. With a balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors, each bite is a culinary adventure through the streets of Hanoi. Let's dive in and elevate your sandwich game with this delicious fusion creation!
Ingredients:
For the Lemongrass Chicken:
Ingredients:
For the Lemongrass Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons lemongrass paste (or finely minced fresh lemongrass)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 daikon radish, julienned
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 small baguettes or sandwich rolls, split
- Mayonnaise
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Thinly sliced cucumber
- Sliced jalapeños (optional)
- Sriracha sauce (optional)
- In a bowl, combine lemongrass paste, minced garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper to make the marinade for the chicken.
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, making sure they are well coated. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor.
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the pickled vegetables. In a small bowl, combine julienned carrot and daikon radish with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well and let the vegetables pickle in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to use.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and discard any excess marinade.
- Grill the chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and have nice grill marks. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- To assemble the banh mi sandwiches, spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each baguette or sandwich roll.
- Top with slices of grilled lemongrass chicken, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro leaves, thinly sliced cucumber, and sliced jalapeños if using.
- Drizzle with sriracha sauce if desired, then place the top half of the baguette or sandwich roll over the fillings.
- Serve the Vietnamese-Inspired Banh Mi Sandwiches immediately, and enjoy the explosion of flavors in every bite!