Name: Southern Bird Dog Sandwiches with a Carolina Kick
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken tenders or thin-sliced chicken breasts (tenders are easier); 2 cups buttermilk (the secret to tender chicken); 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon paprika (use the good stuff, not the dusty old jar); 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust for your heat tolerance); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil works best); 8 good-quality hot dogs (none of that mystery meat nonsense—get the all-beef ones); 8 hot dog buns (brioche if you’re feeling fancy, regular if you’re keeping it real); 1 cup apple cider vinegar (this is KEY – don’t skip it); 1/4 cup ketchup (just enough to give it body); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (the bright yellow kind); 2 teaspoons hot sauce (Texas Pete if you can find it); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 small head of cabbage, finely shredded (about 4 cups); 2 carrots, grated; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (yeah, more vinegar—it’s a theme); 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (just a little for creaminess); 1 teaspoon celery seed; Salt and pepper; 8 sandwich buns or hoagie rolls; Pickles (dill spears work great)

Description

Okay, so the first time I heard about “bird dog sandwiches,” I thought someone was pulling my leg. Turns out, it’s this amazing Southern thing where you take fried chicken (the “bird”) and hot dogs (the “dog”) and put them together in one glorious sandwich. I know it sounds weird, but trust me on this—it’s like the best of both worlds had a delicious baby. Add some Carolina-style tangy slaw and spicy sauce, and you’ve got yourself a sandwich that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Fried Chicken:

2 lbs chicken tenders or thin-sliced chicken breasts (tenders are easier)
2 cups buttermilk (the secret to tender chicken)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika (use the good stuff, not the dusty old jar)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust for your heat tolerance)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil works best)

For the Hot Dogs:

8 good-quality hot dogs (none of that mystery meat nonsense—get the all-beef ones)
8 hot dog buns (brioche if you’re feeling fancy, regular if you’re keeping it real)

For the Carolina Kick Sauce:

1 cup apple cider vinegar (this is KEY – don’t skip it)
1/4 cup ketchup (just enough to give it body)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard (the bright yellow kind)
2 teaspoons hot sauce (Texas Pete if you can find it)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Carolina Slaw:

1 small head of cabbage, finely shredded (about 4 cups)
2 carrots, grated
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (yeah, more vinegar—it’s a theme)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (just a little for creaminess)
1 teaspoon celery seed
Salt and pepper

For Assembly:

8 sandwich buns or hoagie rolls
Pickles (dill spears work great)
Extra hot sauce for the brave souls