Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Banh Mi
What takes this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Banh Mi to the next level is the delicious sauce that the chicken is slow cooked in before shredding. Once the chicken is perfectly cooked and nestled into a roll, it is topped with spicy carrot slaw, more sauce, shaved cucumber and cilantro.

I don’t typically order takeaway food very much at all. Why would I? I cook every day, either for recipe testing or cooking for video and photography.
When I’m craving Asian food, I make my own at home. Let me tell you, this Vietnamese banh mi recipe has it all going on. Huge umami from the sauce, spice and crunch from the slaw and a fresh cooking element from the cucumber and cilantro (haters, you can leave it out the cilantro).

I love a long, soft bun (round will work too). French baguette will also work.
The story on the carrot slaw: (pictured below Just like when I make my barbecue pulled chicken sandwich, I always top them with a fresh slaw. This simple slaw has shredded carrots, spring onion and jalapeño pickled in rice vinegar, honey, salt and water. So easy.

Make ahead banh mi: On occasion, I have made the chicken and shredded it the day before needing it. Keep it in the fridge, then assemble when needed.

When it comes to a tradition there are all sorts of options that make up the banh mi sandwich. Proteins from pork to sardines and pâté can be used, but always topped with some sort of pickle with carrot and sometimes daikon radish and always with cucumber and cilantro. What are your favorite toppings? Feel free to improvise.
If you’ve made this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Banh Mi or any other recipe, please leave a comment below. I love to hear from my readers.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Banh Mi

Chicken breasts are slow cooked in a delicious sauce then added to rolls and topped with a spicy carrot slaw, cucumber and cilantro.
Ingredients
- For the slaw:
- 1 cup (236 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 cup (236 ml) water
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cups (220 grams) shredded carrots
- 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
- 2 jalapeno peppers (or serrano if you want spicier), thinly sliced
- For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup (50 ml) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (50 ml) chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoon sambal chili sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 sandwich rolls
- Fresh cilantro
- 1 cucumber shaved with peeler
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- For the slaw:
Add the rice vinegar, water, salt and honey to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat. Wash a 3/4 liter (25 ounce) storage jar and lid in very hot soapy water and dry well. To the jar add the shredded carrots, spring onions and chili pepper. Add the vinegar liquid, cover and refrigerate until the chicken is cooked. - For the sauce:
To a bowl add all the ingredients, whisk well to combine. - For the chicken:
Turn the slow cooker on. Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker cover with sauce. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Transfer the chicken to a bowl along with a little sauce and shred using 2 forks. Strain the rest of sauce into a small saucepan and simmer until thickened.
Spread each of the rolls with mayonnaise. Add shredded chicken in an even layer, drizzle over some sauce. Top with the slaw, cucumber shavings and cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1 sandwichAmount Per Serving Calories 500Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 104mgSodium 1334mgCarbohydrates 53gFiber 4gSugar 20gProtein 43g
This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.
16 Comments on “Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Banh Mi”
This looks delicious but I don’t have a slow cooker, is there another way to cook the chicken? (I have a pressure cooker) thanks
You can absolutely cook the chicken in your pressure cooker. Now, I’m not a pressure cooker user, but I would think you could just follow my directions by adding the sauce with the chicken and for about 10-15 minutes then shredding with a fork. You can also slow cook in a pan until the chicken is tender. I hope this helps and enjoy 🙂
Fantastic recipe. We have used it to make sandwiches, soft tacos (flour & corn tortillas), rice bowls and pizza. Lastly, it works on french fries & tater tots… in moderation. No soggy fries!
I love how creative you’ve gotten with the recipe and they all sound so good, thank you for the feedback.
I’m intrigued by the sauce. Can I make this using pork shoulder?
Yes, just make it the same as you would with the chicken. Enjoy.
Really awesome and delicious.This recipe had a really good taste & yummy. The whole family enjoyed this recipe and easy to make.
I love to hear this, thank you
I love a good slaw on top of a pulled pork sandwich, so this one is a clear winner. Can’t wait to add into my monthly meal plan!
I do too. Enjoy
I’ve never made sandwiches by using slow cooker method, this definitely needs looking into. Thanks
You can make the meat a day ahead
My mouth is watering too. This recipe sounds and looks super delicious. I need to get it in my slow cooker asap!
I’m totally saving this recipe. Love trying out new slow cooker recipes.
Messy pulled meat sandwiches are the best!! This looks great and your video is really nice, great lighting and focus
These look delicious! Anything that can be done in a slow cooker is good with me