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Two gourmet Carolina Bird Dog Sandwiches featuring grilled chicken, a creamy sauce, and fresh herbs on toasted buns.
Reda

Carolina Gold Bird Dog Sandwiches

Crispy, golden-fried chicken tenders nestled in toasted hot dog buns, piled high with tangy Carolina Gold slaw and drizzled with a homemade mustard BBQ sauce. A taste of the South in every bite!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Chicken Tenders
  • 1 lb chicken tenderloins
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp hot sauce e.g., Tabasco
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch cayenne pepper optional
  • Cooking spray or 2-3 cups frying oil if deep frying
For the Carolina Gold Slaw
  • 3 cups pre-shredded coleslaw mix cabbage and carrots
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Pinch black pepper
For the Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • Pinch salt
For Assembly
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • Pickle slices optional

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Shallow Dishes
  • Air Fryer
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan
  • Tongs
  • Baking Sheet (optional)

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken Tenders
  1. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken tenderloins, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
  3. Remove chicken tenders from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly. Shake off any excess flour. Place breaded tenders on a wire rack.
Cook the Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer Method)
  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  2. Place breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray.
  3. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Cook in batches if necessary.
Make the Carolina Gold Slaw
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  2. Add coleslaw mix and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Prepare the Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, combine yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt.
  2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, whisking frequently. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside. (If using store-bought, skip this step).
Assemble the Sandwiches
  1. While chicken is cooking, lightly toast hot dog buns. This can be done in a dry pan, toaster, or under a broiler.
  2. Place 2-3 cooked chicken tenders (depending on size) into each toasted hot dog bun.
  3. Top generously with Carolina Gold Slaw.
  4. Drizzle with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce. Add pickle slices if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispy chicken, ensure tenders are in a single layer and not overcrowded during cooking. If deep frying, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry for 4-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. The slaw can be made up to a day in advance for deeper flavor; store refrigerated. Any leftover Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is excellent with pulled pork or grilled chicken.