Description

Bird Dog Sandwiches are a heavenly combination of crispy breaded chicken tenders, smoky bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade sauce served in buttery brioche buns. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent meal, these sandwiches are packed with flavor and come together in just 30 minutes. Don’t forget the signature sauce—it ties everything together beautifully!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons smoky 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

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Instructions

Make the Sauce:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, smoky barbecue sauce, honey, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until well combined. Cover and refrigerate the sauce while you prepare the other ingredients. For extra flavor, consider making a double batch to drizzle more on the sandwiches during assembly or serving.
Cook the Chicken Strips:
Cook the breaded chicken strips according to the package instructions. You can use your preferred method, but an air fryer works beautifully to make them crispy and golden. Once the chicken is done, lightly toast the brioche hot dog buns by placing them in the air fryer for about 1 minute.
Cook the Bacon:
Prepare the bacon slices using your desired method—whether in the oven, on the stovetop, or in an air fryer—until they’re crispy and fully cooked. Drain the excess grease by placing the cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
Spread a generous amount of the sauce on the insides of the toasted buns. Then layer in one or two chicken strips, followed by crispy bacon slices. Add the shredded lettuce, thinly sliced roma tomatoes, red onions, and dill pickles.
Finish and Serve:
Top the sandwiches with freshly cracked black pepper for an extra touch of flavor. Drizzle any extra sauce on top if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Don’t skip the sauce: This sauce is a key component and elevates the sandwich’s flavor. For the best result, chill the sauce for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors develop and thicken.
Add cheese: Though the recipe doesn’t call for cheese, feel free to add a slice of your favorite cheese. Place it on the bun, toast it in the air fryer for a minute to melt the cheese, and then assemble the sandwich.
Air Fryer Tip: If using an air fryer, remember to check on your chicken strips and buns periodically to ensure they don’t overcook or burn.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 580
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 1280 mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 100mg