Buttermilk Fried Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 2 (2½ to 3 pound) chickens, cut into breasts, thighs, drumsticks and wings
• :
• 5 lemons, halved
• 24 bay leaves
• 1 bunch (4 ounces) fresh parsley
• 1 bunch (1 ounce) fresh thyme
• ½ cup honey
• 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
• ¾ cup black peppercorns
• 2 cups kosher salt
• 2 gallons water
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup garlic powder
• ¼ cup onion powder
• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 4 teaspoons cayenne
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 quart + 6 tablespoons buttermilk, divided
• 2 to 3 quarts peanut or canola oil