For the chicken:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the breading:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For frying:

• Vegetable oil for deep frying

For the honey chipotle sauce:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)
• 1 chipotle pepper finely minced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

For assembling:

• 4 brioche buns toasted
• 1 cup coleslaw (optional)
• sliced pickles (optional)
• mayonnaise or chipotle mayo (optional)