Bird Dog Sandwich

I'm going to give you the recipe for the North Carolina Bird Dog sandwich, but you have so many options with this sandwich.  

Other Chicken Options:

Buy the chicken tenders, Grilled chicken tenders, BBQ chicken tenders, Buffalo chicken tenders

Other Bacon Options:

Pre-cooked bacon, Real bacon bits

Other Cheese Options:

American, Cheese wiz, Pepper jack,  smoked gouda 

Extra Toppings Options:

Chopped onions, jalapeño peppers, bbq sauce, or whatever you like

BIRD DOG SANDWICH

(makes 4)

Honey Mustard Ingredients (or buy some):

*1/2 cup mayonnaise 

*1/4 cup yellow mustard

*1/8-1/4 cup honey

Chicken Ingredients (or buy some):

*4 chicken tenders

*1/2 cup buttermilk (or whole milk)

*1 1/2  cups all-purpose flour

*2 teaspoons paprika

*1 1/2 teaspoons salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/2 teaspoon onion powder

*vegetable oil for frying

Remaining Ingredients:

*4 top open hot dog buns (or regular hot dog buns)

*1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

*4 teaspoons mayonnaise 

*4-6 slice thick cut bacon

Honey Mustard Directions:

~In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (I make mine the day before).

Bacon Directions:

~Fry up bacon until desired crispness.

~Remove from pan and set aside (I don't crumble mine, but you can if you choose).

Chicken Directions:

~Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 1 hour.

~Heat up oil in a heavy bottom skillet to 375 degrees.

~In a medium bowl, whisk flour, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder together until well mixed.

~Remove chicken from buttermilk shaking excess liquid.

~Dredge chicken into flour mixture coated all sides.

~Shake of any excess flour.

~Fry chicken in hot oil until the piece are a golden brown and done, flipping half way through (about 6-8 minutes).

~Remove from oil and drain of paper towels or a wire rack

Let's Make the Sandwich:

~Preheat oven to broil (skip this step if you don't care if the cheese melts).

~Place 1 to 1 1/2 slices of bacon in the bottom of the hot dog but.

~Drizzle 1 teaspoon of mayo over the bacon.

~Add 1 chicken tender to each bun.

~Add 1/4 cup of cheese.

~Drizzle desired amount of honey mustard over top of it all.

~Place pan in oven and broil for 1-3 minutes or until cheese melts (be very careful not to burn it).