Ingredients:

• 4 cups (560g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• For the wet mixture
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup hot sauce, like Tabasco or Frank’s
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• For the fried chicken
• 10 boneless, skinless large chicken thighs (or 3 chicken breasts, see note above)
• Oil for frying, like peanut or rice bran oil
• For the spicy paste
• 1/2 cup used frying oil
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 to 6 tablespoons cayenne pepper, depending on your heat preference
• 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar, depending on your sweetness preference
• 1 teaspoon chili powder blend
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• To serve
• 10 burger buns
• Dill pickle slices, or bread and butter if you prefer