Served with spring mix and endamame dressed with wasabi vinaigrette, this Thai Chicken Sandwich has recently become one of my favorite things to make for a nice lunch or a quick dinner. I can’t get enough! A simple ginger, lime, and sesame marinade ensure there’s a ton of flavor in every bite and I love the contrast between the fiery chili sauce and the cool, crisp cucumbers. And that’s really all there is to say about it.
Sambal Oelek is a chili paste that is similar in flavor to sriracha, but thicker and less vinegary (you can find it in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores). This stuff is basically pure chili pepper, so it has some pretty serious heat — a little goes a long way! Start with a very small amount and add more to taste. I like a lot of spice and use about a quarter and teaspoon on my sandwiches.
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Thai Chicken Sandwich with Ginger & Sambal Oelek
Serves 2.
- 1 Tbs chopped fresh Ginger
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Lime Zest
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbs Lime Juice
- 2 small Chicken Breasts*
- 2 Whole Wheat Sandwich Rolls
- Sambal Oelek, Sliced Cucumber, and Lettuce for serving
In a shallow dish, combine the ginger, garlic, lime zest, sesame oil, and lime juice to form a thin paste. Add the chicken breasts and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
Serve on a roll with lettuce, sambal oelek, and cucumber.
*Instead of buying a package of small chicken breasts, I like to pick one larger breast out of the case. I then split it widthwise (almost as though I was butterflying it, but I keep going to cut all the way through) to get two servings. This leaves plenty of surface area for the marinade, and the thinner cut cooks up quickly.
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Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
04/04 at 7:41 pmI just discovered sambal oelek myself and I am in love! I can’t wait to try this recipe so I can use it again. The sandwich looks gorgeous and delicious. Like you said, the juxtaposition of flavors makes it so interesting and yummy. Pinning!
Peggy says
03/26 at 9:15 amI just love a good sandwich! How unique and beautiful this one is!
DebinHawaii says
03/25 at 4:06 amDelicious-looking sandwiches. I am a big fan of sambal oelek and always have a jar in the fridge. 😉
serena @bigapplenosh says
03/24 at 4:20 pmYum, I LOVE sambal. This looks great!
Lyndsey says
03/23 at 2:37 pmI like all these flavors, can I have a bite? 😀
Joanne says
03/22 at 2:17 pmI absolutely adore thai food but really make so little of it that it’s borderline tragic! This sounds like a delicious sandwich that I will definitely be trying!
Carolyn Jung says
03/22 at 11:52 amThis looks awesome. And since I can make it in the comfort of my own home, it’s way easier than chasing down a food truck for something like this. 😉
elly says
03/22 at 11:25 amThis looks delicious. I love anything with sambal oelek!
Dana says
03/22 at 11:22 amOh I love all the spicy Thai flavors in this dish! Sounds fantastic!
TheKitchenWitch says
03/22 at 11:14 amI love the flavors going on in this recipe! This is a must-try!
brandi says
03/22 at 9:17 amwhat a great quick dinner idea!
bellini says
03/22 at 6:48 amThis is perfect for those hectic work weeks!!!!
Kristi Rimkus says
03/21 at 11:43 pmI’m on a big sandwich kick lately. They allow for an infinite variety of ingredients. This one looks delicious!
Kristi