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Bird Dog Sandwiches

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Bird Dog Sandwiches are a delicious and easy lunch or dinner with crispy chicken tenders, bacon, and a smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce.
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Recipes Fives Halima
Updated on Tue, 13 May 2025 17:20:05 GMT
Bird Dog Sandwich Pin it
Bird Dog Sandwich | recipesfives.com

The Bird Dog Sandwich features crispy chicken tenders, salty bacon strips, and a smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce, making it an irresistible choice for lunch or dinner. This easy-to-make recipe is sure to become a family favorite, requested time and again.

I first tried this sandwich on vacation and it quickly became a staple in our household. The ease of preparation and the burst of flavors make it a winner every time.

Essential Ingredients

For the Sauce:

  • Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the sauce.
  • Barbecue Sauce: Adds a smoky flavor; Sweet Baby Ray’s is a great choice.
  • Honey: Brings sweetness to balance the tang.
  • Mustard: A mix of yellow and Dijon mustard adds depth.
  • Lemon Juice: Provides acidity to balance the flavors.

For the Sandwiches:

  • Breaded Chicken Fingers: Use any prepared breaded chicken tenders.
  • Bacon Slices: Cooked until crispy for added texture.
  • Hot Dog Buns: Brioche buns work well for this recipe.
  • Toppings: Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and dill pickles add freshness.

Cooking Instructions

Making the Sauce:
Whisk together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, honey, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Cover and chill in the fridge to let the flavors meld.
Cooking the Bacon:
Cook the bacon in the oven, a fry pan, or air fryer until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
Cooking the Chicken:
Prepare the chicken tenders according to package instructions. Using an air fryer will give them an extra crispy texture.
Assembling the Sandwiches:
Lightly toast the buns. Spread the sauce on both sides of the bun, add the chicken tenders, bacon strips, and your choice of toppings. Finish with a sprinkle of black pepper and an extra drizzle of sauce.
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Bird Dog Sandwich Recipe | recipesfives.com

The sauce is what makes this sandwich truly special. Its sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors perfectly complement the crispy chicken and bacon. My family loves the extra drizzle of sauce on top.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of fries or onion rings for a complete meal. The sauce also makes a great dip for the fries, adding an extra layer of flavor.

Variations

For a smokier flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce. You can also melt cheese on the buns before adding the toppings for an extra indulgent twist.

Storage and Reheating

The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.

This Bird Dog Sandwich recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, making it a perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Enjoy the crispy, tangy goodness that will have your family asking for more.

Easy Bird Dog Sandwich Pin it
Easy Bird Dog Sandwich | recipesfives.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
Extra large breaded chicken fingers, strips, or tenders are recommended for this recipe.
→ Can I use a different type of bun?
Brioche hot dog buns are recommended, but you can use any type of bun you prefer.
→ How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free buns and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
→ What can I serve with these sandwiches?
Serve with a side of fries or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
→ How long does this recipe take to prepare?
It takes about 20 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, totaling 30 minutes.

Bird Dog Sandwiches

Bird Dog Sandwiches feature crispy chicken tenders, bacon, and a smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce on brioche hot dog buns.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Halima

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Sauce

01 1/2 cup mayonnaise
02 2 tbsp smokey barbecue sauce
03 2 tbsp honey
04 1 tbsp yellow mustard
05 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 1/2 tbsp lemon juice

→ Sandwiches

07 4 extra large breaded chicken fingers/strips/tenders (or enough to fill a standard hot dog bun)
08 4 thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and crisp
09 4 brioche hot dog buns
10 Romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded
11 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
12 Red onion, thinly sliced
13 Dill pickles, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 01

Whisk all the sauce 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.)

Step 02

Cook the chicken strips according to package directions (I use my air fryer). When they're done, put the buns in the air fryer for just 1 minute to toast lightly.

Step 03

Cook the bacon in the oven, fry pan, or air fryer until crispy. Then drain on paper towels.

Step 04

Spread the sauce on both insides of the bun, add the chicken strip(s), bacon slices, lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickles. Finish with a turn or two of cracked black pepper on top and any extra sauce.

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Tools You'll Need

  • Small mixing bowl
  • Air fryer
  • Fry pan