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Keto Bánh Mì Bowls 🥗

Cast Iron Keto
by
Updated:
4 Comments
5 from 5 votes

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Our Keto Bánh Mì Bowls are a low-carb version of classic Vietnamese food. These keto bowls feature sticky, charred chicken thighs, kimchi, fresh veggies, and a mayo dressing. Trust us, you're in for an incredible dining experience with these mouthwatering bowls. So, if you're ready to embark on a keto Vietnamese food adventure, grab your apron and let's get cooking!

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Keto Bánh Mì Bowls

Preparation and cooking overview

Mix a flavorful sauce for the chicken, cut the chicken thighs into cubes, and cook until golden and sticky. Then, assemble your bowls with a medley of fresh veggies and a generous drizzle of spicy mayo dressing. In 20 minutes, these keto bowls are ready to enjoy!

Chef's note

Add thinly sliced fresh vegetables, including radishes, and cabbage, for a refreshing crunch, or even a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for a delightful texture. For those who enjoy a touch of heat, don't hesitate to garnish with extra slices of serrano peppers or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. 

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings

For more inspiration check out our Chicken recipe.

🥗 Ingredients for this Keto Bánh Mì Bowls recipe

For the chicken

  • 3 tablespoons avocado or coconut oil
  • 1 pound chicken thighs cubed
  • 3 tablespoons tamari
  • 3 tablespoons brown erythritol
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

For the salad

  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 4 serrano peppers sliced
  • 1 cup kimchi
  • 6 radishes thinly sliced
  • 4 cups Butter lettuce
  • 1 green onion chopped
  • A handful of cilantro minced

For the dressing

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons granulated erythritol

Ingredient substitutions

For the chicken

  • Tamari: You can use coconut aminos as a soy sauce alternative.
  • Brown erythritol: You can replace it with other keto sweeteners like monk fruit sweetener or stevia.

For the salad

  • Butter lettuce: Romaine lettuce or any other leafy greens works well.

For the dressing

  • Rice wine vinegar: Substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
  • Sriracha: Look for a sugar-free sriracha sauce or a hot sauce with no added sugars.

Additional ingredients

Feel free to experiment and make these Keto Bánh Mì Chicken Bowls truly your own! Please note that these ingredients are optional, and you can add them to enhance the recipe's flavors.

  • Avocado slices: Creamy avocado adds richness and healthy fats to the bowls.
  • Shredded cabbage: Add extra crunch and a subtle sweetness with finely shredded cabbage.
  • Sesame seeds: Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and a touch of visual appeal.
  • Crushed peanuts: Crushed peanuts are a fantastic addition for an extra crunch and flavor.
  • Thai basil: Swap out regular basil for Thai basil to infuse an aromatic and slightly peppery note.
  • Lime wedges: Squeeze fresh lime over the bowls for a citrusy tang.
  • Fresh cilantro: Sprinkle some fresh cilantro at the top for a nice earthy touch.

Cooking tools required

To make this Keto Bánh Mì Bowls recipe, you will need the following cooking tools:

  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cast iron skillet
  • Mixing spoon or spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Knife (for slicing and chopping)
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Salad bowls 
  • Drizzle bottle 

Tools substitute options

  • Drizzle bottle for dressing: Use a small jar with a lid or a plastic squeeze bottle to drizzle the dressing. Alternatively, a regular spoon can pour the dressing over the bowls.
  • Cast iron skillet: If you don't have a cast iron skillet, you can use a frying pan or stainless steel skillet.

How to make Keto Bánh Mì Bowls: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Sautéing & assembling

Preparation steps

  1. Gather all the ingredients.
  2. Slice the cucumber, serrano peppers, and radishes.
  3. Mince the cilantro and chop the green onion.
  4. Cube the chicken thighs and set them aside.
  5. Ensure that all the ingredients are ready and organized before starting the cooking process.

Cooking instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the cubed chicken thighs to the hot oil and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy.
  3. Mix the tamari, brown erythritol, fish sauce, lime juice, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic salt in a small bowl to make the sauce.
  4. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir until thick and sticky, about 2 minutes.
  5. Assemble the bowls by layering a bed of lettuce, sliced cucumber, serrano peppers, radishes, kimchi, green onion, and minced cilantro.
  6. Drizzle the dressing over the bowls.
  7. Serve and enjoy your delicious Keto Bánh Mì Bowls!
Keto Bánh Mì Bowls

Chef's pro tip

To achieve a crispy texture when cooking chicken, it's important to avoid overcrowding the skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches, ensuring that each piece has enough space to cook evenly and develop a golden exterior. By giving your chicken room to breathe in the skillet, you'll achieve perfectly cooked and flavorful results for your delicious bowls.

What to serve with banh mi bowls?

Here are some keto-friendly food pairings that can be enjoyed alongside the low-carb Bánh Mì bowls:

  • Cauliflower Rice: Make some cauliflower rice and enjoy a nice keto Bahn Mi rice bowl!
  • Zucchini noodles: Swap traditional noodles with zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a light and refreshing option.
  • Avocado slices: Add creamy and healthy fats by serving the bowls with sliced avocado on the side.
  • Steamed broccoli: Enjoy some extra greens by serving steamed broccoli as a side dish.
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts: Roast Brussels sprouts with olive oil and spices. It adds plenty of flavor to our keto bowls.
  • Cabbage slaw: Whip up a keto-friendly cabbage slaw with a tangy dressing to complement the flavors of the bowls.
  • Keto bread: You can also serve a slice of Low-Carb Bread with this salad bowl for an extra crunch.

How to make it healthier?

  • Choose a leaner protein: Instead of chicken thighs, opt for leaner cuts of chicken such as chicken breast or tenderloins. These cuts have lower fat content and can help reduce overall calorie intake.
  • Reduce sodium: Reduce sodium content by using reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce. Also, decrease the fish sauce used in the recipe or choose a lower-sodium variety.
  • Increase vegetable portion: Add more cucumber, radishes, and greens to increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Time-saving tips

  • Batch cooking: Cook a larger batch of chicken at once. Store the cooked chicken in the refrigerator or freezer in separate portions. So, you'll have ready-to-use chicken for future meals, saving you time on cooking.
  • Make extra dressing: Prepare a larger quantity and store it in airtight meal prep containers in the refrigerator. The dressing can last for a few days, allowing you to save time on preparing it for subsequent servings.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Cut the chicken into cubes or bite-sized pieces and marinate it the night before or during your meal prep session. Chop the vegetables and prepare any marinades or dressings ahead of time. 

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

To keep your Bánh Mì bowls fresh, store them in airtight meal prep containers in the refrigerator. Consume the refrigerated bowls within 3-4 days, ensuring you enjoy them before the best-before date. It's recommended to avoid freezing the chicken and vegetables as it may affect their texture and freshness.

Reheating tips

This keto chicken salad doesn't need reheating. You can only reheat the chicken in the microwave at 30-second intervals. Let the other ingredients come to room temperature, add reheated chicken, and sprinkle some dressing you have stored in the fridge for a quick redo!

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

These Keto Bánh Mì Bowls are perfect meal prep bowls. They are an absolute flavor-packed delight that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant world of Vietnamese cuisine. From the sticky and spicy chicken to the refreshing crunchy vegetables, each element combines to create a bowlful of goodness you can't resist.

Enjoy these delicious bowls without worrying about your keto journey. Click a picture of your Banh Mi bowl, and don't forget to share it with us. We can't wait to see your take on this recipe!

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs. Remember that chicken breast may cook faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.

While this recipe features chicken as the main protein, you can make it vegan by substituting it with plant-based alternatives such as tofu or tempeh. Adjust the seasoning and cooking time accordingly.

The number of calories in a Bánh Mì can vary depending on the ingredients and the size used in the recipe. This Keto Bánh Mì Bowl recipe provides less than 400 calories per serving, based on the ingredients used in the recipe.

📖 Recipe

Keto Bánh Mì Bowls

Keto Bánh Mì Bowl

These Keto Bánh Mì Bowls are the perfect way to get your Vietnamese food fix low-carb style!
5 from 5 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: vietnamese
Keyword: keto bowl, keto salad, Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 491kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 3 tablespoons avocado or coconut oil
  • 1 pound chicken thighs cubed
  • 3 tablespoons tamari
  • 3 tablespoons brown erythritol
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

For the salad

  • 1 cucumber sliced
  • 4 serrano peppers sliced
  • 1 cup kimchi
  • 6 radishes thinly sliced
  • 4 cups Butter lettuce
  • 1 green onion chopped
  • A handful of cilantro minced

For the dressing

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons granulated erythritol
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the cubed chicken thighs to the hot oil and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy.
  • Mix the tamari, brown erythritol, fish sauce, lime juice, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and garlic salt in a small bowl to make the sauce.
  • Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir until thick and sticky, about 2 minutes.
  • Assemble the bowls by layering a bed of lettuce, sliced cucumber, serrano peppers, radishes, kimchi, green onion, and minced cilantro.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the bowls.
  • Serve and enjoy your delicious Keto Bánh Mì Bowls!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Bánh Mì Bowl
Amount Per Serving
Calories 491 Calories from Fat 396
% Daily Value*
Fat 44g68%
Saturated Fat 16g100%
Cholesterol 117mg39%
Sodium 1524mg66%
Potassium 408mg12%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 303IU6%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

# Hashtag with us!Don't forget to mention @castiron_keto or tag #castironketo on Instagram with your creations! We love seeing what you're making.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ami says

    5 stars
    This is amazing. I was floored by how good the chicken was. Definitely going to be a staple in this household!

    Reply

  2. Laurie Rasor says

    5 stars
    Have A Great Day

    Reply

  3. karen says

    I see siracha in this dish. Is it sugarless?? If so, what brand do you use???

    Reply

    • Alex Lester says

      There is a bit of sugar in the Sriracha, it works with the macros listed though so it's still keto friendly.

      Reply
5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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