Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Oil, for frying
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Special equipment: a tabletop fryer or deep-frying thermometer
2. For the seasoning flour: Mix together the flour, seafood seasoning, salt, paprika, mustard powder and pepper and divide between 2 plates or shallow bowls.
3. For the brine: Mix together the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, celery seed, smoked paprika and pepper and divide between 2 plates or shallow bowls.
4. Coat the chicken in the brine, then seasoning flour, then the second bowl of brine and the second bowl of seasoning flour and shake off excess; place on a rack.
5. Heat a few inches of oil in a Dutch oven or tabletop fryer to 365 degrees F. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary until deep golden and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
6. For the buffalo honey sauce: In a small pot, melt the butter and add the honey, hot sauce, Worcestershire and garlic and simmer gently to thicken. Serve the fried chicken with the sauce.