Low Calorie Chicken Lunch: Poached Chicken Banh Mi with Light Mayo Recipe

A lighter banh mi with poached chicken instead of pork and light mayo instead of regular. Same Vietnamese flavor explosion, fewer calories.

Cook 37 min Difficulty NORMAL 310 kcal
#low carb #diabetic friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • chicken breast 16 oz
  • baguette (light or demi baguette) 2 pieces
  • English cucumber 1 piece
  • carrot 1 large
  • daikon radish 0.5 medium
  • cilantro 0.5 cup
  • jalapeño 1 piece
Seasonings/Sauce
  • light mayonnaise 4 tbsp
  • rice vinegar 3 tbsp
  • sugar 2 tsp
  • salt 1.5 tsp
  • black pepper 0.25 tsp
  • soy sauce 1 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 35 g 45%
Protein 27 g 35%
Fat 7 g 20%
Serving size 250g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Prepare a deep skillet or saucepan with enough water to comfortably submerge chicken breasts. Add 0.5 teaspoon salt and bring to a gentle simmer—not a boil—for precise poaching.

  2. 2

    Add chicken breasts to the water; maintain the water at a gentle simmer (180–190°F). Poach for 14–16 minutes, turning once halfway, until just cooked through. Immediately transfer to a plate and cover loosely to rest and retain moisture.

  3. 3

    While the chicken cooks, julienne carrot and daikon. Toss with rice vinegar, sugar, and 0.5 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Let sit for at least 10–15 minutes to lightly pickle, stirring occasionally.

  4. 4

    Slice baguettes lengthwise but not all the way through. Lightly toast the cut sides if desired for texture. Evenly spread 1 tablespoon of light mayonnaise on each baguette half.

  5. 5

    Thinly slice cucumber, jalapeño, and poached chicken. Layer cucumber, pickled carrot/daikon, sliced chicken, jalapeño, cilantro, and finish with a sprinkle of black pepper and a drizzle of soy sauce per sandwich. Serve immediately for optimal bread texture.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Poached chicken breast is the star ingredient here, delivering a lean and tender protein base that defines the sandwich's lighter character while still allowing the Vietnamese banh mi flavors to shine.
Q. How do I prevent the chicken from turning dry during poaching?
Keep the poaching water at just below a simmer—around 180–190°F (not boiling)—and remove the chicken as soon as it's cooked through. Letting it rest covered helps retain maximum juiciness.
Q. What gives this sandwich its authentic Vietnamese flavor?
The combination of lightly pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro, soy sauce, and fresh jalapeño achieves the signature flavor explosion found in classic Vietnamese banh mi, even with leaner chicken and light mayo.
Q. How many calories and protein does each serving have?
Each serving contains approximately 310 kcal, with about 27g of protein, 35g of carbohydrates, and 7g of fat. This balanced profile makes it a favorable choice for a lighter lunch.
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