Bird Dog Sandwiches

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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!

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bird dog sandwich, bird dog sandwiches

Servings: 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