Description
The Bird Dog Sandwich is a Southern classic that combines crispy chicken tenders, melted cheese, bacon, and tangy honey mustard sauce, all served on a soft hoagie roll. It’s a delicious twist on the traditional hot dog, perfect for game days, casual dinners, or a satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 hoagie rolls or hot dog buns
- 8 crispy chicken tenders (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 slices cheddar or American cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon (optional)
- 1/2 cup honey mustard sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
For Homemade Chicken Tenders:
- 500 g (1 lb) chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
🍗 Make the Chicken Tenders (If Homemade):
-
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine chicken tenders with buttermilk.
- Let marinate for 15-30 minutes for extra tenderness.
-
Prepare the Breading:
- Mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
-
Coat the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.
- Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to coat evenly.
-
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry chicken tenders for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (75°C / 165°F internal temperature).
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
🌭 Assemble the Bird Dog Sandwich:
-
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or use a toaster oven.
-
Toast the Buns:
- Place hoagie rolls or buns on a baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes until slightly crispy.
-
Add Chicken and Cheese:
- Place 2 chicken tenders in each roll.
- Top with a slice of cheese and a slice of cooked bacon (optional).
-
Melt the Cheese:
- Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
🍽️ Serve:
-
Add Toppings:
- Drizzle with honey mustard sauce.
- Add shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes if desired.
-
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with fries, coleslaw, or potato chips for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make It Spicy: Add a drizzle of hot sauce or use pepper jack cheese for a kick.
- Shortcuts: Use frozen chicken tenders or rotisserie chicken strips for a quicker version.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.