It's a classic Vietnamese sandwich but made at home with a homemade baguette, from scratch sriracha mayo, homemade pickled veggies, and an incredibly flavorful marinade! This Grilled Chicken Banh Mi recipe is one of our favorite sandwiches full of from scratch flair!
We love this sandwich. This Grilled Chicken Banh Mi has been a part of our lives for many years and I had posted it back in 2014, and then accidentally deleted it. Oops. But finally, it's back! And trust me, this is a sandwich you want in your repertoire!
While this Vietnamese sandwich itself is pretty simple, some pickled veggies, grilled chicken, and spicy mayo, on a baguette, what makes this banh mi recipe so special (and stinkin' delicious) is that all of these components can be made from scratch - but of course, as with all of our recipes, you can choose to make as much from scratch as you'd like, but the options are all there for you.
What is a Banh Mi?
Bánh Mì actually translates to "bread" in Vietnamese, but it is also a term for (in my opinion) one of the most delicious sandwiches in the world! It is made up of pork/chicken (or a pate of either), mayo, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs, like coriander or cilantro, served on a short baguette.
What makes it so delicious? Between the crusty soft chewy centered baguette, to the spicy kick of the mayo, salty Asian flavored meat, pickled crunchy veggies, and fresh herbs, it's a sandwich that hits all the right flavor and textures.
Components of a Banh Mi
We'll break this banh mi sandwich into each of their components that you can make it from scratch. Again, you can of course choose how much from scratch flair to add or not!
- Vietnamese Baguette - Find the recipe here!
- Asian Grilled Chicken - This is one of our absolute favorite chicken marinades!
- Sweet Sriracha Mayonnaise - Which can also be made with homemade mayonnaise!
- Pickled Carrots and Daikon - SO fast and easy to make!
- Cucumbers - Some thinly sliced cucumbers add some fresh, cooling crunch!
- Fresh Cilantro - Herbal freshness to finish the banh mi with!
Pickled Carrots and Daikon
The pickled carrots and daikon add a wonderful acidic crunch to this Vietnamese sandwich. And you can make them in a snap and way ahead to keep stored in your fridge for whenever you need them.
- Carrots - Some nice large orange carrots
- Daikon - This large white radish you should be able to find in your local grocery store, but if for some reason you can't find it there, you should be able to find it in your local Asian market.
- Vinegars - I like to use a combination of white vinegar and seasoned rice vinegar. But you could also use just white vinegar, although then I would suggest increasing the sugar a little. See recipe notes.
- Sugar - Just a little. More if you use all white vinegar.
- Salt and Water - To complete the brine!
Easy to make
Slice your daikon and your carrots into sticks or julienne them. We prefer a thicker stick that's about as long as the height of a standard 12 oz mason jar.
Pickle by massaging in the salt and sugar to the veggies, pack them in jars and then add the water and vinegar.
Store in the fridge until you're ready to use. It's best if they're stored at least overnight but then they will last up to 4 weeks in the fridge.
Assemble
Now that you have everything you need for this Grilled Chicken Banh Mi recipe, it's time to assemble!
- Slice the Vietnamese Baguette in half.
- Spread on the Sweet Sriracha Mayonnaise.
- Add layers of cucumbers, sliced Asian Grilled Chicken, and pickled carrot and daikon.
- Finish with fresh cilantro!
And Boom! Fresh, packed full of from scratch flair, Grilled Chicken Banh Mi!
Now THAT is a sandwich with it all that has some serious from scratch flair!
When I say this sandwich has it all, I mean it.
- It has crunch from the pickled veggies and cucumbers.
- It has heat from the Sweet Sriracha Mayo.
- It has umami from the delicious grilled chicken marinade.
- It has herbal freshness from the fresh cilantro!
Customizable
Add some fresh sliced jalapeños or finish with a chili sauce for even more heat!
Pile on those carrots and daikon!
You can easily make this banh mi vegetarian by swapping out the grilled chicken for some tofu!
For a more traditional Banh Mi, add some chicken or pork pate.
You can use your favorite grilled meat. Our Asian Grilled Chicken marinade on boneless pork would also be delicious, or you could also use our Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Chicken Thighs recipe.
Grilled Chicken Banh Mi! Back after a very unfortunate "delete" and even better than ever!
Other Sandwiches You Might Like
- Spinach Tuna Melt
- Croque Monsieur
- Kimchi Grilled Cheese
- Apple Fennel Chicken Salad
- Reuben Sandwiches From Scratch
- Avocado Tuna Salad Subs
- Kimchi Sloppy Joes
Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
If you want to see more, be sure to sign up for my 5 Easy Ways to Start Cooking From Scratch!
Grilled Chicken Banh Mi
Ingredients
Banh Mi
- 4 Vietnamese Baguettes
- 1 1 /2 lbs Asian Grilled Chicken sliced
- 1 large English Cucumber sliced thinly
- Sweet Sriracha Mayonnaise
- Pickled carrots and daikon
- fresh cilantro
Pickled Daikon and Carrots
- 2 cups carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
- 2 cups daikon, peeled and cut into sticks
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons granulated salt
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
Instructions
Make Pickled Daikon and Carrots
- Slice carrots and daikon into thin sticks about 3-4 inches and add to a medium sized bowl.
- Sprinkle with sugar and salt and use your hands to coat and gently rub it into the vegetables.
- In a 2 cup pour spout measuring cup or another small bowl, mix the vinegars.
- Add carrots and daikon to 12 oz mason jars, packing them in. Add the vinegars to each jar and seal. Store in fridge for at least 1 hr and up to 3 weeks.
Assemble
- Slice each baguette lengthwise, but not all the way through.
- Open baguette and spread sweet sriracha mayonnaise to each side of the bread.
- Add a layer of the cucumber to each side of the baguette, then add a layer of the sliced grilled chicken, daikon and carrots, and finish with fresh cilantro.
- Slice baguette in half (if desired) and enjoy!
Danielle
I love making banh mi at home but have never made chicken ones before. I can't wait to try this recipe, it sounds delicious!
Helen
This looks so tasty - love those pickled veggies!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
My family are mad for sriracha and the flavours in this chicken are gorgeous too. A proper lunch!
Mahy
Perfect sandwich to keep you running throughout a day. Love how easy it is to make it!
Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Thank you for sharing variations of the ingredients that can be used in this recipe. The Sriracha Mayo really elevates this dish!