What happens when you put a few chicken tenders inside a hot dog roll, add some bacon and cheese ,and a healthy drizzle of honey mustard? You get the “Bird Dog,” a popular South Carolina sandwich that won’t do much to help your blood pressure but will absolutely satisfy your taste buds. Here’s a closer look on what it is and how you can make this Southern classic at home.
What Is a Bird Dog?
After a quick internet search (which I quickly determined should include the word “sandwich” after “Bird Dog”), I discovered a few things. First, that the Bird Dog hails from South Carolina and bragging rights for “the best” seem to be shared between two spots, NickHenry’s in Piedmont and JC’s Sandwich Shoppe in Anderson. Second, while there are some variations between those Bird Dogs and the ones I found on blogger websites, the basic recipe is consistent: Top a hot dog bun or roll with chicken tenders, bacon, cheese, and honey mustard; pickle is optional.
How to Make a Bird Dog Sandwich at Home
As far as I’m concerned, there are no rules here. During my research I noticed that there are plenty of iterations, including many spicy versions that swap Cheddar cheese for pepper Jack, and Southwest dressing for honey mustard. So lean into your preferences and build your Bird Dog however you’d like. If you want to go the traditional route, start with a warm hot dog bun and stuff it with two or three cooked breaded chicken tenders. Cover the chicken with shredded cheese and add some bacon (crumbled or left whole). At this point you can bake it to melt the cheese or leave it as is, then top with honey mustard and enjoy.
Tips for Making a Bird Dog
- Use a top-sliced bun. Of course a side-slice will work for making a Bird Dog, but a bun or roll that’s been sliced on top makes it easier to build and eat this sandwich.
- Swap your bird. Some of the recipes I found used grilled tenders and even chicken nuggets. You could also easily buy pre-cooked tenders from the prepared foods section of your grocery store.
- Consider some veggies. The classic Bird Dog doesn’t include any vegetables, but I think topping it with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and onions would be delicious. I also like adding sport peppers.
My South Carolina Bird Dog Recipe
Serves 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 frozen breaded chicken tenders
- 4 top-sliced hot dog buns, warmed
- 4 slices bacon, cooked
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- Honey mustard, as needed
- Pickles, if desired
Instructions
- Prepare chicken fingers according to package directions.
- Set oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the buns and split them open. Fill the inside of each with 1 to 2 tablespoons shredded cheese and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
- Fill each bun with two chicken tenders and a strip of bacon. Drizzle the top with honey mustard and serve with a pickle.
