Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 3 hr 15 min (includes marinating time)
  • Active: 40 min
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Banh mi, the beloved Vietnamese sandwich, is called banh mi ga nuong when made with chicken. While some versions include pate, this one focuses on the chicken, along with pickled daikon and carrot, mayo, cucumber and jalapeno. It’s served with Sriracha, a Thai hot sauce that’s now popular throughout Southeast Asia, not to mention the U.S.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Combine the vinegar, sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and the ginger in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
  2. Transfer half of the vinegar mixture to a large bowl and add the carrots and daikon; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Transfer the remaining vinegar mixture to a shallow baking dish; stir in the lemongrass, shallot, soy sauce and fish sauce. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours, flipping the chicken halfway through.
  4. Preheat a grill to medium high and brush the grates with vegetable oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, scraping off the lemongrass and shallot; season with salt. Grill the chicken until well marked and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board.
  5. Drain the carrots and daikon; stir in the cilantro. Cut the chicken thighs in half. Toast the bread on the grill and spread the mayonnaise on both sides; sandwich with the sliced cucumber, chicken, carrot mixture and jalapeno. Serve with Sriracha.