Name: Chicken Bánh Mì Sandwich Sliders
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 cloves Garlic (minced); 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce; 1 Lime (zested and juiced); 1 Tbsp Sugar; 1 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce; 1 lb Chicken Breast (patted dry with paper towel); 9-12 Slider Rolls (or crispy French rolls); 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (or as needed); 2 cups Pickled Carrots and Daikon; 1/2 large English Cucumber (thinly sliced); 1/2 cup Fresh Cilantro (loosely packed); 1 Jalapeño Pepper (thinly sliced); 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce (or as needed)

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Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich Sliders are the mini version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich. These serious game day menu contenders are made with shredded chicken and quick pickled veggies, piled high with classic Banh Mi toppings.

Blogpost Contents hide

1) What is banh mi?

2) What goes in a Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich?

3) What bread is used in banh mi?

4) What is in banh mi marinade?

5) What kind of meat is in banh mi?

6) What are the pickled vegetables on a banh mi sandwich?

7) How to make Banh Mi

8) Recommended Tools

9) Chicken Bánh Mì Sandwich Sliders

What is banh mi?

Banh mi is a classic Vietnamese sandwich made with meat or plant-based protein, fresh and pickled vegetables, mayo, sriracha, and jalapeno. This gorgeous, vibrant, sandwich packs in the flavors of sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and savory, hitting ALL corners of the palate. Surprise your party guests with banh mi sliders!

What goes in a Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich?

bread (Bao, French baguette, or slider roll)
mayonnaise
seasoned meat or plant-based protein
pickled carrots and daikon
sliced cucumber
fresh cilantro
fresh jalapeño slices
Sriracha

side view view of banh mi sandwiches on parchment paper background

What bread is used in banh mi?

A crusty, French baguette or soft Bao buns are typical to a classic Vietnamese banh mi. For this slider recipe, we're using slider rolls for function AND fashion! They're soft and pillowy, and easier to acquire than Bao Asian steamed buns.

What is in banh mi marinade?

My chicken banh mi sandwich marinade is simple. Whisk together the following ingredients and marinate the chicken breast 30 minutes up to 8 hours before cooking.

fresh garlic
fresh lime
fish sauce
soy sauce
sugar

What kind of meat is in banh mi?

Typically, chicken and pork are used. They can be grilled, or sauteed. If you want a vegetarian or vegan version, fried tofu is downright delicious in this sandwich also.

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What are the pickled vegetables on a banh mi sandwich?

Quick Pickled Carrots And Daikon (also called do chua) are a classic ingredient topping on any banh mi sandwich. Shredded carrots and daikon radish are briefly cooked in vinegar brine, cooled, and chilled until they're piled on the sandwich. They’re best having soaked in the brine a few days, which deepens that sour, pickled flavor.

pickled carrots and daikon radish in glass jar on grey background with vegetable peeler

How to make Banh Mi

Prep the meat by placing it in the quick marinade for 30 minutes.
While the meat marinates, make quick pickled vegetables (it's super quick and easy). I prefer to pickle the vegetables days, or even a few weeks, in advance.
Cook the meat (grill or saute method). Allow it to cool slightly, then cut into thin slices.
Assemble the sliders - spread mayo on slider rolls, distribute meat and vegetables evenly, top with fresh cilantro, pickled vegetables, sliced jalapeno, and sriracha.

The ingredient prep can and should be done somewhat in advance, but it’s not too involved, actually. It's a collection of some simple steps that yield HUGE flavor!

4up image of bani mi sandwich ingredients being added

Recommended Tools

mixing bowl and whisk (for chicken marinade)
glass storage container (to marinate chicken)
outdoor or indoor grill and tongs (if grilling chicken)
10" skillet (if sauteeing chicken)
mandoline slicer (to slice cucumbers)