Introduction

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches are a delicious combination of tender chicken and tangy mustard-based BBQ sauce, all nestled in a soft hoagie roll. This sandwich brings a perfect balance of flavors and textures that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

Two sandwiches are shown on a white marbled surface. Each sandwich is made of a soft, golden brown hoagie bun split open and filled with a layer of crispy, dark brown fried chicken pieces. On top of the chicken, there is a thick, creamy beige sauce drizzled unevenly, with small green herb bits sprinkled over the sauce for color. The buns look soft and slightly shiny, holding the filling tightly. The focus is on the front sandwich, showing the textures of the fried chicken and the glossy sauce clearly. 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 5–7 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 2–3 minutes until the edges are crispy.
Step 4: Spread the honey mustard sauce on the bottom bun. Place a cooked chicken tender on top, then drizzle with South Carolina mustard BBQ sauce.
Step 5: Layer with shredded lettuce or coleslaw, sliced red onions, and chopped pickles. Add hot sauce if you like extra heat.
Step 6: Top with the other half of the roll and serve immediately while warm.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, grill or bake the chicken tenders instead of frying.
Try using different types of pickles, such as spicy or sweet, to adjust flavor.
Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy twist.
Use coleslaw instead of lettuce for extra crunch and creaminess.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders and condiments separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the chicken tenders in a skillet or oven until heated through, then assemble the sandwich fresh to maintain the bun’s texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of two hot dogs on a white marbled surface. Each hot dog has a soft, golden-brown bun holding grilled pieces of dark golden meat with a crispy texture. On top of the meat, there is a creamy beige sauce drizzled with small bits of herbs and spices, adding texture and color contrast. The sauce glistens and slightly drips over the sides of the meat and bun, with a sprinkle of finely chopped green herbs giving a fresh look. The background is softly out of focus, making the hot dogs stand out vividly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of chicken cuts?

Yes, boneless chicken breasts or thighs can be used, but cooking times may vary. Chicken tenders work best for their size and ease of eating.

What if I don’t have South Carolina mustard BBQ sauce?

You can substitute with a regular mustard-based BBQ sauce or mix yellow mustard with a bit of vinegar and brown sugar for a similar tangy flavor.

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 145 reviews

South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches are a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring juicy chicken tenders served on toasted hoagie rolls with a tangy South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce, honey mustard mayo, and fresh toppings like pickles, red onions, and lettuce or coleslaw. This recipe offers versatility with options to grill, bake, or fry the chicken, making it a perfect meal for lunch or dinner with a Southern BBQ twist.

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

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 chicken tenders (grilled, fried, or baked)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Breads

4 hoagie rolls or soft sandwich buns

South Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup tangy South Carolina mustard-based BBQ sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings

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

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season raw chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Grill, bake, or fry until golden and fully cooked, approximately 5–7 minutes per side. Once cooked, set aside to rest briefly.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and balanced in flavor.
Toast the Rolls: Lightly toast the hoagie rolls in a skillet or oven for 2–3 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden, enhancing the texture and preventing sogginess.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the honey mustard sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place one cooked chicken tender on top and drizzle with the South Carolina mustard BBQ sauce for tang and depth of flavor.
Add Toppings: Layer each sandwich with shredded lettuce or coleslaw, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped pickles to add crunch and freshness. Add hot sauce if desired for extra heat.
Serve: Place the top half of the roll on the sandwich and serve immediately while the chicken and bread are warm to enjoy the full flavor and texture contrast.

Notes

Chicken can be grilled, baked, or fried based on your preference for flavor and cooking style.
Using toasted rolls helps keep the sandwich from getting soggy from the sauces.
For a spicier version, add your favorite hot sauce or spicy pickles.
Coleslaw is a great alternative to lettuce if you prefer a creamier topping.
Leftover sandwiches can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days, but are best eaten fresh.

Keywords: South Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches, chicken sandwich, mustard BBQ sauce, southern BBQ sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, tangy BBQ, honey mustard sauce