Description
Culinary magic happens when Bird Dog Sandwich blends zesty flavors with hearty ingredients from midwest comfort cuisine. Crisp layers of premium meats, tangy spreads, and fresh bread promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 500 g (1 lb) chicken tenders
- 8 crispy chicken tenders (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 slices cooked bacon (optional)
Bread and Cheese:
- 4 hoagie rolls or hot dog buns
- 4 slices cheddar or American cheese
Coating and Seasonings:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Optional Toppings:
- ½ cup honey mustard sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup shredded lettuce (optional)
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken tenders by immersing them in buttermilk, allowing the protein to absorb moisture and develop a rich, tender texture for 15-30 minutes.
- Create a seasoned coating by blending flour with aromatic spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a wide, shallow container.
- Extract chicken tenders from buttermilk, gently shaking off excess liquid, then meticulously coat each piece in the spiced flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium temperature, carefully positioning chicken tenders to achieve a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy internal consistency.
- Fry chicken tenders approximately 4-5 minutes per side, monitoring internal temperature until reaching 75°C, indicating perfect doneness and food safety.
- Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil and maintain crispy texture.
- Warm hoagie rolls or buns in a preheated oven at 180°C, creating a lightly toasted, crisp foundation for the sandwich.
- Arrange two chicken tenders within each roll, layering with melting cheese and optional crispy bacon strips.
- Return assembled sandwiches to oven briefly, allowing cheese to transform into a luxurious, molten blanket.
- Enhance flavor profile by drizzling honey mustard sauce and optionally garnishing with fresh lettuce and diced tomatoes.
- Complement the sandwich with classic side accompaniments like crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or crunchy potato chips for a satisfying meal experience.
Notes
- Enhance chicken tenderness by marinating in buttermilk for maximum flavor absorption and juiciness.
- Experiment with spice blends in the flour coating to create unique flavor profiles that match personal taste preferences.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without drying out the tender meat.
- Customize the sandwich for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour, turkey bacon, or plant-based cheese alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 730
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg