Fried Chicken with Crunch – Garden & Gun

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup salt
• Zest of 1 1/2 lemons
• 1 bunch thyme sprigs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 whole chicken (3 1/2 lbs. or less)
• 3 1/2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 cups cornstarch
• Napa cabbage or other lettuce
• Canola or peanut oil, for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 jar of Calabrian chile peppers, packed in oil
• Local honey