Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap
Tender lemongrass-marinated chicken nestled in a crisp baguette with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs, capturing the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese street fare. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 35 minutes pairs pound chicken thighs boneless skinless, lemongrass stalks minced, garlic minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs boneless skinless
- 2 tbsp lemongrass stalks minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup carrot julienned
- 1/2 cup daikon radish julienned
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced
- 4 baguette rolls
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp minced lemongrass, 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 1 pound chicken thighs cut into 1/2-inch strips and marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Combine 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in another bowl. Add 1/2 cup julienned carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish, toss to coat, and let pickle for 20 minutes while chicken marinates.
- Step 3: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and cook marinated chicken strips for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Slice 4 baguette rolls lengthwise, lightly toast them, and spread 1 tbsp mayonnaise evenly inside each.
- Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by layering grilled chicken, 1/4 cup pickled carrot and daikon mixture, fresh cilantro leaves, and thinly sliced jalapeño for heat; close and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lemongrass stalks minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Wrap?
Vietnamese sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.