Lao-Style Chicken Baguette Sandwiches with Watercress

By LaLaCooks

This sandwich largely resembles a Vietnamese banh mi, due to its French-influenced baguette and crisp vegetables. But instead of the banh mi's cilantro and pickles, the Lao version uses peppery watercress and grated fresh carrots—and a hefty dose of fiery chile-garlic sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 boneless chicken breast halves, with skin (6 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Chile-Garlic Sauce
• Four 6-inch lengths of baguette, split and toasted
• Mayonnaise
• 1 small bunch watercress (4 ounces), thick stems discarded
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup coarsely shredded carrots

Details

Servings 4
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

Directions

In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet, skin side down. Cook over moderately high heat until the skin is browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate. Turn the chicken breasts over and cook until white throughout, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken breasts to a carving board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken crosswise 1/3 inch thick.

Spread the chile-garlic sauce on the cut sides of the baguettes and spread mayonnaise on top. Fill the sandwiches with the watercress, chicken, tomatoes and carrots and serve.