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Switching things up with this 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich. For those days when you’re craving a fresh Banh Mi Sandwich, but don’t want to head to your favorite Vietnamese place to get it. Salty Vietnamese caramelized chicken with fresh basil, sweet and spicy mangos, pickled vegetables, and fried eggs. All piled onto a toasted baguette with tahini “special sauce”. This quick and healthy take on the Banh Mi Sandwich can be made and ready in just about 30 minutes. Not only is this sandwich healthier, but the flavor is actually better than the take-out version. The perfect lunch or dinner sandwich throughout these spring and summer months.

front on photo of 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich

I have to admit, it can be really hard to balance the overly fun recipes with the overly simple recipes. The fun and different recipes can sometimes require more ingredients and longer cooking times. While the super simple recipes are well, super simple. The simple recipes are obviously the more popular recipes, and trust me, I get it. Life is so busy and hectic (…Monday, majorly kicked my butt). On busy nights we just need a simpler dinner that’s healthy and delicious too.

It’s always my goal to create recipes that are achievable for you at home.

Now, with that all said, I will also say that at times it can be a seriously tough job. Sometimes a new color, travel destination, or ingredient will inspire me to create something completely new and different. But then I hesitate because I want you guys to be just as excited about the recipe as I am. And I know that recipes requiring more than an hour’s worth of time just aren’t practical for most weeknights.

So, this leaves us with a lot of sheet pan dinners, vegetables on the grill, yummy tacos, pizzas, and pasta. All delicious, all fun, and all easy. I somehow figured those dishes out. But what I’ve really been wanting to make lately is a good Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich. Which usually take a good chunk of time to prepare. BUT, I managed to cut it down to 30 minutes…and you guys?

It’s so good.

caramelized Basil Chicken in skillet

If you’re new to the Banh Mi sandwich, they’re traditionally made with pork and tossed with a salty, sweet sauce. And honestly, while they are delicious, I find them to be fairly sugary, and kind of a heavier sandwich.

So I simplified things. I used chicken, added so many pickled vegetables, sweet mangos, and herbs. I also used my go-to tahini “special sauce” in place of mayo (mostly because I’m just not the biggest mayo person).

overhead photo of 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich

The chicken is cooked in a salty chili garlic sauce, that’s traditional flavor wise, but way less sugary. Since the chicken is cut into strips, it also takes only minutes to cook. So simple and easy, but with all the same flavors.

As the chicken is cooking, I like to mix up some fresh mango, jalapeños, lime, and toasted sesame seeds. It’s a bit of a sweet salsa topping that’s super fresh and adds a whole lot of color and flavor.

For the special sauce, I used a little garlic chili sauce, maple and tahini. It’s becoming one of my go-to sauces. It’s spicy, creamy, and perfect on so many things. Of course, if you’d prefer a mayo based sauce, that’s no problem. Simply swap in mayo for the tahini in equal amounts.

overhead photo of 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich with egg on top of sandwich

Once you have the sauce made, and the chicken cooked, all that’s left to do is assemble. Now, if you’ve ever had a Banh Mi, you know that a big part of the sandwich is the toppings.

This is one of those times where you either go big, or go home. So pile on those spicy mangos, plenty of pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and then go for the fried egg. The egg is optional, but then, it’s a must in my book. Pretty much everything is better with a fried egg on top.

Sandwich everything together and you’ll have yourself the most colorful and seriously delicious sandwich. Way better than your local Vietnamese spot, and so much fresher too.

And trust me, while this recipe does require a few ingredients, this sandwich is really pretty easy to prepare. It will be great during these late spring and summer days when the weather is warm. Already cannot wait to be eating and enjoying these on a warm summer night. Oh wait, we don’t have warm summer nights here, ok warm summer afternoons. Just please…

Bring on summer! And all the Banh Mi sandwiches too!

front on photo of 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich with egg broken and yolk running

Lastly, if you make this 30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 703 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoon garlic chili sauce (sambal oelek)
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 mango, thinly sliced
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil and cilantro leaves
  • juice from 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 baguette, cut into 4 pieces and toasted
  • pickled vegetables, for serving
  • 4 fried eggs, for serving (optional)

Special Sauce

  • 1/4  cup  tahini
  • 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
  • 2 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

  • 1. In a small bowl, combine the chili sauce, fish sauce, maple, garlic, 2 tablespoons water, and a large pinch of black pepper. Toss to evenly coat. 
    2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken. Season with black pepper and brown all over, about 5 minutes. Slowly pour in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the chicken, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil. 
    4.  In a medium size bowl, toss the mangos, herbs, jalapeños, lime juice, sesame seeds and a pinch of salt all together. 
    5. To make the special sauce. Combine all ingredients in bowl. Add 1/4 cup water and whisk with a fork to combine, adding water if needed to thin. Taste and adjust seasonings. 
    6. Spread the toasted baguette with special sauce. Top with chicken, mangos, pickled vegetables, and eggs. Add the top half of the sandwich.  Enjoy!
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30 Minute Basil Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich | halfbakedharvest.com #easyrecipe #healthyrecipes #chicken #thai #Vietnamese

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was so good. I toasted the bread and I forgot the maple syrup in the special sauce (I Got in the chicken sauce) but it was still amazing! I plan to add this to the weekly menu plan rotation.

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    This is the best recipe I’ve ever made of yours! Highly recommend it. Sweet, salty, spicy was the perfect combo. Made it as is last weekend and headed to the grocery store to stock back up and try it as a bowl this time around.

    Reply

  4. Can’t wait to make this sandwich, it looks delicious!

    I know the shorter recipes are more popular but it was your amazing looking and tasting pork ramen recipe from years ago that got me hooked on this site. Yes it takes a long time to make but it’s so worth it for a special occasion! Basically, an inspirational recipe prompt me to find time to make it so don’t be afraid to toss in something more complicated every few weeks!

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    These were absolutely delicious! I’m obsessed with anything that includes fresh herbs. I left out the jalapeños and included grated carrots and broccoli slaw instead of pickled veggies. I also sprinkled TJ’s everything bagel spice on the eggs. We loved it!

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    soooo I hate people who are like “I loved this but I [insert a million changes to the recipe]” BUT I veganized it with tofu and and just made it into a salad instead of a sandwich and it was truly to die for, I love the basil in this recipe 😀 thanks Tieghan!

    Reply

  7. Made for dinner tonight. Absolutely full of flavor and delicious. My husband said to definitely make again.

    Reply

  8. This looks great! Do you have a favorite brand of tahini sauce you like to use in your recipes?

    Reply

  9. Is the sauce for the chicken also meant to include the 2tbs of maple syrup you have written in the recipe, or is the maple syrup only for use in the special sauce? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hey Anna! Yes, the sauce includes the maple. Recipe has been fixed, so sorry about that! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

      Reply

  10. Can’t wait to try this! I am a lover of all Vietnamese cuisine and make it at least once weekly. Adding it to this week’s menu!

    Reply

  11. Oooh, can’t wait to try this—very soon! For Barbara, who asked about a pickle recipe: my go to is an easy quick pickle that you can eat soon after making it. Pack a pint jar with thinly sliced vegetables like red onion or shallot, radishes, carrots, (even salad turnips are good). In a small suace pan mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon or 2 of maple syrup (or sugar or honey), a teaspoon of salt, and whatever spices you like, such as allspice berries, whole peppercorns, red pepper flakes. Star anise is good too, especially with Asian-inspired foods. Bring to a boil and then pour over vegetables. That’s it! They will keep in the fridge for a few weeks, but will lose their crunch a little over time.

    Reply

  13. 5 stars
    This is spectacular! My family will definitely love it and was so tasty and flavorful, can’t wait to try!!

    Reply

  14. Love this and love the tahini special sauce. Definitely trying this super soon.

    Reply