Short Rib Grilled Cheese w/ Kimchi Tomato Soup as served by The Governor Modern Diner, located in Millford, OH  - as seen on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Season 37.
Recipe courtesy of The Governor

Governor Tso Chicken Sandwich

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 1 hr 30 min (plus overnight brining and pickling time)
  • Active: 1 hr 30 min
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

Chicken Brine:

Pickled Cucumbers:

Lemon Ginger Mayo:

Apricot Jalapeño Slaw:

Dredge:

Frying and Assembly:

Sichuan Spice Rub:

Directions

  1. For the chicken brine: Combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, rice flour and spice rub in a large bowl. Place the chicken breasts into the brine mixture and let sit overnight in the fridge.
  2. For the pickled cucumbers: Toss the cucumbers in the salt and let sit for 2 hours. Then rinse well.
  3. For the lemon ginger mayo: Whisk together the mayo, lemon juice, lime juice, Dijon mustard, roasted garlic oil, ginger, salt and white pepper in a medium bowl.
  4. For the apricot jalapeño slaw: Whisk the mayo, chili sauce, sour cream, vinegar and salt in a large bowl. Add the green and red cabbages, apricots, carrot, jalapeño, green onions, sunflower seeds and dill and mix to combine.
  5. For the dredge: Mix together the flour, potato starch and spice rub in a large bowl. Once the chicken has been brined overnight, place into the dredge and coat well.
  6. To fry the chicken: Fill a cast-iron pan with enough oil to reach about 2 inches up the side of the pan. Bring the oil to 350 degrees F. Add the chicken breasts and fry until an instant-read thermometer reads at least 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the chicken, 10 to 12 minutes. Once out of the fryer, immediately liberally sprinkle the chicken with some melted butter and Sichuan spice rub.
  7. To assemble: Brush the buns with some melted butter and grill until golden brown. Add a smear of lemon ginger mayo to the bottom of each bun. Add 4 to 5 cucumber slices. Add the chicken breast, then top with the slaw. Add the top bun and serve.

Sichuan Spice Rub:

  1. Mix together the cayenne, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cinnamon, MSG, ground mustard, Sichuan peppercorns and white pepper.