Place **½ preserved lemon**, seeds removed, on a cutting board and finely chop. Using the back of your knife, mash into a coarse paste and transfer to a large bowl. Add **1 large egg**, **4 garlic cloves**, finely grated, **zest of 1 lemon**, **1 cup low-fat buttermilk**, **⅓ cup cornstarch**, and **1 tsp. Diamond Crystal** or **½ tsp. Morton kosher salt** to bowl and whisk to combine. Add **2¼ lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs**, cut into 1" pieces. Mix well to make sure each piece is coated in marinade; cover and chill at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
 
##### Step 2
Whisk **1½ cups rice flour**, remaining **¾ cup cornstarch**, and remaining **½ tsp. Diamond Crystal** or **¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt** in a large shallow dish to combine. Remove one third of chicken from bowl, letting some of the marinade drip back into bowl, and arrange in a single layer on rice flour mixture. Gently toss chicken to coat, pressing down into mixture and turning to make sure every nook and cranny is covered. Transfer to a large plate. Repeat with remaining chicken in 2 batches.
 
##### Step 3
Pour **vegetable oil** into a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot to come 2" up the sides. Fit pot with thermometer and heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°. Working in 3–4 batches, fry chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown, 7–10 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let drain.
 
#### sauce and assembly
##### Step 1
While the chicken is frying, heat **½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter** and **3 Tbsp. medium-bodied honey** (such as orange blossom) in a small saucepan over medium until butter is melted.
 
##### Step 2
Scrape honey butter into a large bowl, add **6 Tbsp. harissa paste**, **2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice**, and **½ tsp. Diamond Crystal** or **¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt**, and whisk until smooth and emulsified. Taste sauce and season with more salt if needed.
 
##### Step 3
Place fried chicken in sauce and toss until every piece is well coated.
 
##### Step 4
Arrange chicken on a platter and serve with **crunchy raw vegetables** (such as radishes, cucumber spears, and carrot sticks) alongside.