Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich

The Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich is a brilliant fusion that marries the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese, Southern American, and Southeast Asian cuisines. This sandwich starts with a classic French baguette, a crisp and airy homage to the traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi, and a reminder of the French influence in Vietnam. Within this wonderful bread lies a treasure trove of flavors and textures, each ingredient playing a crucial role in creating a symphony of tastes.

Central to this creation is tender shredded chicken, generously tossed in a rich, flavorful satay BBQ sauce. The satay sauce, a beloved feature of Southeast Asian cuisine, brings a complexity of spices, sweet and savory notes, and the distinct nuttiness of peanuts. This is beautifully complemented by the contrasting flavors of the chow chow and pickled beets, creating a filling that’s both exotic and familiar, intriguing and comforting.

Joining this are the bright, tangy notes of chow chow, a Southern American classic known for its pickled zest and crisp texture. It adds not just a punch of flavor but also bridges the boldness of the satay chicken with the other elements of the sandwich. Accompanying this is the sweet earthiness of pickled beets, adding a layer of sweetness and a pop of vibrant color, further enhancing the sandwich’s appeal.

The addition of crisp, fresh cucumber slices introduces a cooling contrast, balancing the richness of the chicken and the acidity of the pickled components. This textural contrast is essential, offering a refreshing crunch in every bite. The creamy mayonnaise spread across the baguette brings everything together, ensuring each mouthful is harmoniously moist and flavorful.

But it’s the final garnishes of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice that truly elevate this sandwich to new heights. The cilantro adds a burst of herby freshness, a nod to the traditional elements of a Banh Mi, while the lime juice cuts through the richness with its zesty brightness, lifting the entire flavor profile.

The Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich is a bonafide experience. It’s a celebration of how diverse flavors from around the world can come together in a beautiful, delicious harmony. Each ingredient tells a story – of tradition, fusion, and culinary adventure. It’s a sandwich that appeals to those who love a blend of rich, spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors, all combined in a delightful, satisfying package. It’s perfect for anyone seeking to explore the exciting possibilities of flavor fusion, where the boundaries of traditional cuisine are expanded to create something truly unique and memorable.

For those seeking a more expedient route without compromising the essence of this flavorful sandwich, utilizing premade components such as satay BBQ sauce, chow chow, and pickled beets is an excellent option. Store-bought satay BBQ sauce offers the same harmonious blend of Southeast Asian spices and smoky barbecue tang, making it a perfect, hassle-free way to infuse the shredded chicken with depth and character. Similarly, chow chow, a delightful Southern-style pickled relish, can also be found ready-made. Additionally, opting for pre-pickled beets is another way to streamline the sandwich-making process. Pickled beets, available in most grocery stores, provide the same sweet, earthy notes and vibrant color as homemade ones.

By choosing these premade ingredients, you can assemble the Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich in a fraction of the time it would take to prepare each component from scratch. This approach is particularly useful for busy weeknights, impromptu gatherings, or for anyone looking to enjoy the rich flavors of this fusion sandwich without the additional prep time.

BEVERAGE PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:

Pairing beverages with your Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich, a dish rich with a blend of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors, involves finding drinks that complement these profiles without overpowering them. Here are some beverage pairing suggestions:

• Rosé: A dry Rosé, with its crisp and fruity notes, can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sandwich.
• Hefeweizen: A Hefeweizen, with its light and fruity notes, can be a refreshing accompaniment that doesn’t overwhelm the flavors of the sandwich.
• Lemongrass Mojito: A Lemongrass Mojito, blending the flavors of lemongrass, mint, lime, and rum, can mirror some of the Asian influences in the sandwich.

Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: MainsCuisine: FusionDifficulty: Medium

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

The Chow Chow Chicken Satay Banh Mi Sandwich is a tantalizing fusion of flavors, featuring tender chicken in a rich satay BBQ sauce, tangy chow chow, and sweet pickled beets, all nestled in a crisp French baguette, creating a delightful blend of Southeast Asian zest and Southern charm.

Ingredients

• For the Sandwich

• 2 French baguettes, cut in half lengthwise

• 2 cups shredded chicken

• 1 cup satay bbq sauce

• 1 cup chow chow (Southern-style pickled relish)

• 1/2 cup pickled beets

• 1 small cucumber, julienned

• 1/2 cup cilantro, freshly chopped

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 lime, juiced

• For the Satay BBQ Sauce

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

• 1 teaspoon chili flakes

• For the Chow Chow

• 2 cups green cabbage, chopped

• 1/2 cup onion, chopped

• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon celery seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• For the Pickled Beets

• 2 small beets, peeled and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

• Assembling the Sandwich
• Prepare the Chicken and Bread:
  Toss the shredded chicken in the satay BBQ sauce until well coated. Slice the baguette in half lengthwise and lightly toast it.
• Assemble the Sandwich:
  Spread mayonnaise on the inside of each piece of baguette. Layer the satay BBQ chicken on the bottom half of the baguette. Layer slices of cucumber above the chicken. Add a generous helping of homemade chow chow on top of that. Arrange the homemade pickled beets over the chow chow.
  Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the layers for a burst of freshness, and squeeze fresh lime juice over the filling for a zesty kick.
• Serve:
  Close the sandwich with the top half of the baguette. Serve the Banh Mi-style sandwich immediately.
• For the Satay BBQ Sauce
• Combine Ingredients:
  In a saucepan, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, water, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes.
• Simmer:
  Add water and stir over low heat until all ingredients are well blended and the sauce is smooth, about 15-20 minutes.
• Cool Down:
  Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before tossing with the chicken.
• For the Chow Chow
• Combine Vegetables:
  In a bowl, mix together the cabbage, onion, and bell pepper.
• Make Vinegar Mixture:
  In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, paprika, and salt. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Mix with Vegetables:
  Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the chopped vegetables. Stir well.
• Cool and Store:
  Let the chow chow cool, then store it in airtight jars in the refrigerator until ready for use.
• For the Pickled Beets
• Prepare Beets:
  Place the sliced beets in a heatproof container.
• Make Pickling Liquid:
  In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Pour Over Beets:
  Pour the boiling liquid over the beets, ensuring they are completely submerged.
• Cool and Store:
  Allow the mixture to cool, and then refrigerate the beets in the liquid until ready for use.