With crispy chicken tenders, strips of salty bacon, and a smokey, sweet and tangy sauce, this Bird Dog Sandwich recipe is simply irresistible. An easy lunch or dinner the whole family will request again and again!

Southern Bird Dog Sandwiches Recipe

If you’ve never heard of or tried a bird dog sandwich before, you are in for a true treat today! We first tried them on vacation and ever since, it’s become one of the most requested dishes at my house.

I love it because it doesn’t actually require much cooking, the chicken tenders just need to be popped in the air fryer, the bacon cooked, and the sauce ingredients mixed together. It’s a perfect lazy day lunch or dinner that leaves you wanting more after the last bite.

Overhead view of bird dog sandwiches on a baking sheet

What Is A Bird Dog Sandwich?

Originating from South Carolina, a Bird Dog Sandwich is essentially a crispy chicken tender sandwich prepared in a hot dog bun. But what sounds basic is actually next level because of the added fix-ins and sauce. The sauce is an irresistible combination of mayo, BBQ sauce, honey, and two types of mustard. Sounds a bit crazy but it’s SO good.

My version is fairly traditional, although I never make it with melted cheese. Many bird dog sandwiches are made by adding cheese to the buns before adding the fix-ins, broil or air fry them until the cheese is melty, and then add your veggies.

Ingredients Needed

The sauce for these sandwiches requires a handful of ingredients and then you just need chicken fingers, bacon, buns, and your favorite toppings.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

For the Sauce

Mayonnaise – The creamy base to the sauce.
Barbecue sauce – I like the sauce to have a smokey flavor, and since the mixture also includes honey, I use regular barbecue sauce, not honey or sweet barbecue sauce. Sweet Baby Ray’s is my preferred brand, but use whatever brand you prefer.
Honey – Sweetens the sauce.
Mustard – A combination of yellow mustard and Dijon mustard adds depth to the flavor.
Lemon juice – Adds a bit of acidity that balances the savory flavors and thins the sauce a bit.

For the Sandwiches

Breaded chicken fingers – Any prepared breaded chicken fingers/strips/tenders will work. If they are smaller, you may need to use a few more to fill the hot dog bun.
Bacon slices – Cooked until crispy.
Hot dog buns – I like to use brioche hot dog for this recipe.
Toppings – Shredded lettuce, roma tomatoes, red onion, and dill pickles.

How To Make A Bird Dog Sandwich

Here’s a quick overview of how to make your bird dog sandwiches.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

Make the sauce. Whisk together all sauce ingredients then cover and chill in the fridge.
Cook the bacon. You can cook your bacon in the oven, fry pan, or air fryer until crispy. Then drain on paper towels.
Cook the chicken. Cook the chicken strips according to package instructions. (I use my air fryer so they’re extra crispy.)
Assemble the sandwiches. Lightly toast the buns. Spread the sauce on both sides of the bun, add the chicken, bacon strips, and the toppings. Finish with a turn or two of cracked black pepper and an extra drizzle of sauce.

Tips & Variations

Here are a few tips for making the perfect bird dog sandwich.

Add some liquid smoke. For a smokier flavor in the BBQ sauce, you can add in a splash of liquid smoke.
Use the air fryer. The air fryer is my favorite way to prepare the chicken tenders for this recipe as it produces the crispiest chicken the fastest and without grease. It’s also easy to toast the buns that way.
Add cheese. As I noted above, some bird dog sandwiches include cheese. My recipe doesn’t but you’re welcome to add it if you want. Just add the cheese to the bun, pop it in the air fryer for a minute or so until it melts, then add the toppings.
Make the sauce in advance. If you can let the sauce chill for at least an hour, you’ll get the best flavors. It also gives it a chance to thicken it a bit. When I can remember, I actually like to prepare it the night before.

A bird dog sandwich in a basket with fries

Serving Suggestions

I LOVE the sauce for these sandwiches so I usually double the recipe and drizzle a bit more on top when serving. As far as side dishes go, I like to keep it simple and serve this with some fries or onion rings. Fries are amazing dipped into the sauce!

Proper Storage

It’s best to enjoy your bird dog sandwich as soon as it’s assembled. However, you can prepare the sauce in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

More Casual Dinner Ideas

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Bird Dog Sandwiches

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

FOR THE SAUCE

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons smokey barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

FOR THE SANDWICHES

4 extra large breaded chicken fingers/strips/tenders (or enough to fill a standard hot dog bun)
4 thick-cut bacon slices , cooked and crisp
4 brioche hot dog buns
romaine or iceberg lettuce , shredded
roma tomatoes , thinly sliced
red onion , thinly sliced
dill pickles , thinly sliced

Instructions

For the sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Cover and place in the fridge while you prep all the other ingredients. (I also usually double the sauce and drizzle a bit more on top of the sandwiches because it's so yummy.)
Cook the chicken strips according to package directions (I use my air fryer.) When they’re done, I put the buns in there for just 1 minute to toast lightly.
You can cook your bacon in the oven, fry pan, or air fryer until crispy. Then drain on paper towels.
Assemble the sandwiches – spread the sauce on both insides of the bun, add the chicken strip(s), bacon slices, lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickles.
Finish with a a turn or two of cracked black pepper on top and any extra sauce.

Notes

Don’t skip the sauce. It’s a critical element to the sandwiches. It is delicious right away, but it’s even better if you chill it for at least an hour to develop the flavors and also thicken up.

Add cheese. Some bird dog sandwiches include cheese. My recipe doesn’t but you’re welcome to add it if you want. Just add the cheese to the bun, pop it in the air fryer for a minute or so until it melts, then add the toppings.

Nutrition

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bird dog sandwich, bird dog sandwiches

Bird Dog Sandwich

Southern Bird Dog Sandwiches Recipe

What Is A Bird Dog Sandwich?