Introduction

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches are a flavorful twist on the classic chicken sandwich, featuring tender chicken tenders topped with tangy mustard-based BBQ sauce and fresh, crunchy toppings. Perfect for a quick meal, these sandwiches deliver a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and zesty flavors.

The image shows two grilled chicken sandwiches on a white marbled surface, each sandwich with three visible layers. The bottom layer is a soft, golden brown bun with a slightly shiny texture. The middle layer consists of grilled chicken pieces that are charred with dark grill marks and a crispy texture. The top layer is a creamy, light yellow sauce drizzled generously over the chicken, garnished with small green herbs scattered on top. The bun is split but still holds the filling securely, with sauce dripping slightly over the sides. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 chicken tenders (grilled, fried, or baked)
4 hoagie rolls or soft sandwich buns
1/2 cup tangy South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup chopped pickles (bread and butter or dill)
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded lettuce or coleslaw
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: Hot sauce for an extra kick

Instructions

Step 1: Season raw chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Grill, bake, or fry until golden and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth to make the honey mustard sauce.
Step 3: Lightly toast hoagie rolls in a skillet or oven for 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are crispy.
Step 4: Spread honey mustard sauce on the bottom bun. Place a cooked chicken tender on top, then drizzle with the South Carolina mustard BBQ sauce.
Step 5: Add shredded lettuce or coleslaw, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped pickles over the chicken. Add hot sauce if desired for extra heat.
Step 6: Top with the other half of the roll and serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken tenders in a bit of the BBQ sauce before cooking.
Swap the chicken tenders for grilled shrimp or tofu to make a seafood or vegetarian version.
Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce for added spice.
If you prefer a crunchier texture, use bread and butter pickles instead of dill pickles.

Storage

Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the sandwich from getting soggy, assemble just before serving. Reheat the chicken tenders gently in the oven or microwave, then assemble with fresh toppings.

How to Serve

The image shows two hot dog buns, each filled with several pieces of golden brown, grilled meat that have a slightly charred texture. The meat is topped with a creamy light brown sauce that has a smooth and slightly thick consistency, drizzled generously over the top, with some green herb bits scattered on the sauce. The buns are soft and light golden in color with a smooth, shiny surface. The sandwiches are placed on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

Yes, frozen chicken tenders can work well. Just make sure they are fully thawed before cooking and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure they are cooked through.

What type of BBQ sauce is best for this sandwich?

A South Carolina-style mustard-based BBQ sauce is traditional and gives the sandwich its characteristic tangy flavor. If you can’t find it, you can use a tangy mustard BBQ sauce or mix yellow mustard with a bit of vinegar and brown sugar to mimic the taste.

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 148 reviews

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches feature tender chicken tenders served on toasted hoagie rolls with a tangy South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce, complemented by a creamy honey mustard sauce, crunchy pickles, fresh red onions, and crisp lettuce or coleslaw. This sandwich offers a perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors in every bite, ideal for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Bread

4 chicken tenders (grilled, fried, or baked)
4 hoagie rolls or soft sandwich buns

sauces

1/2 cup tangy South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey

Toppings

1/4 cup chopped pickles (bread and butter or dill)
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded lettuce or coleslaw
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: Hot sauce for an extra kick

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the raw chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Grill, bake, or fry them until golden brown and fully cooked, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Once cooked, set the chicken tenders aside to rest.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well blended.
Toast the Rolls: Lightly toast the hoagie rolls either in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the edges are crispy and slightly golden.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread the honey mustard sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place one cooked chicken tender on top of the sauce, then drizzle with the South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.
Add Toppings: Layer the sandwiches with shredded lettuce or coleslaw, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped pickles. If you like a bit of heat, add hot sauce to taste.
Serve: Place the top half of the bun over the sandwich fillings and serve immediately while warm to enjoy the full flavors and textures.

Notes

Chicken tenders can be grilled, baked, or fried based on your preference or to reduce fat content.
Using coleslaw instead of shredded lettuce adds a creamy, crunchy texture that pairs well with the tangy sauces.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your desired spice level.
To make this sandwich gluten-free, substitute the hoagie rolls with gluten-free buns.
Leftover chicken tenders can be refrigerated and used for another meal within 2 days.

Keywords: South Carolina Bird Dog, chicken sandwich, mustard BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, Southern sandwich