The Faux Yard Bird Sandwich

Close up of sandwich on aluminum foil

Before I graduated college and after I had landed my first job in a small Mississippi town, I went apartment hunting with one of my girlfriends. We drove in during the morning hours, saw about 5 different potential places to live — the first of which ended up being my home for a year — and then were to head back to our college town that afternoon.

We got hungry after seeing a few places, and we pulled into a little (now-defunct) sandwich shop called The Spicy Pickle. I was skeptical of the place, never having heard of it before, but my friend Krysten insisted we try it.

I ordered a chicken panini called the Yard Bird, and I fell in love with that sandwich at first bite. … During my tenure in town, I spent many lunches at The Spicy Pickle. I never changed my order. And I savored every bite of that sandwich that took me by surprise during my visit.

I moved from my small Mississippi town in late 2010, and I have not been to The Spicy Pickle since.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t craved the Yard Bird Sandwich, though, and recently, I got creative and made my own.

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    A collage of five images showing the putting together of a faux yard bird sandwich

    The ingredients are pretty simple, and the key to this sandwich is layering it to where everything melds into place once it is toasted.

    Check it out, y’all:

    Close up of sandwich on aluminum foil

    The Faux Yard Bird Sandwich

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    Ever tried to make a restaurant sandwich at home? The Faux Yard Bird Sandwich is my take on a favorite sandwich that's filled to the brim with shredded chicken, honey mustard, feta cheese, spinach and apple. The sandwich is served on a square of crunchy homemade focaccia bread, then toasted for ultimate deliciousness. This restaurant-flavor-at-home meal is delightful!
    5 from 1 vote
    Servings 1 sandwich
    Calories 568 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • A square of homemade focaccia or the bread of your choosing
    • 1 tablespoon honey mustard
    • 1 tablespoon feta cheese
    • 4 oz. shredded chicken
    • 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
    • 1/2 large apple chopped

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    Instructions
     

    • Using a serrated knife, slice your bread in half.
    • Spread the honey mustard on both sides of the bread evenly. (You can add a little more or a little less, depending on your mood. Condiments are meant to be measured with your heart, not with a tablespoon.)
    • Sprinkle the feta cheese on one slice of bread.
    • On the other slice of bread, spread the fresh spinach out.
    • On top of the spinach, layer the apple slices.
    • Then, lastly, top the apple with the shredded chicken.
    • Cover the sandwich, wrap in foil and toast for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the sandwich has heated through.
    • Let cool for 5 minutes, then enjoy!

    Notes

    If you want to make this dairy free, simply leave off the feta cheese.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 sandwichCalories: 568kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 39gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 735mgFiber: 5gSugar: 17g
    Keyword chicken recipe, chicken sandwich, easy lunch recipe, loaded sandwich, lunch, lunch recipe, sandwiches
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Do you randomly crave foods like this?

    What’s your go-to sandwich?

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    7 Comments

    1. Whoa! This looks awesome. Super tasty…and great texture! I’m definitely going to have to give this one a try.

    2. We have a Spicy Pickle nearby. I’ve only been there once, but I DEFINITELY need to try this sandwich. Yum!

    3. I’ve missed this sandwich so much! It was my first any only sandwich I ever had there and I still get cravings for it. Thank you for this!!!

      1. Sirrah, I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one missing this sandwich. I hope this recipe reminds you of it and helps satisfy a craving for years to come!

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