Place the chicken cutlets in a bowl with buttermilk and hot sauce. Let the chicken soak for at least 30 minutes so it becomes tender and flavorful. I like marinating it a little longer when I have extra time because it really improves the texture.
Combine shredded cabbage and grated carrot in a large bowl. Add mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper, then toss everything together until evenly coated. Refrigerate the slaw while preparing the chicken so it stays cold and crisp.
In another bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned flour gives the chicken its crispy golden coating and rich flavor. Make sure the seasonings are evenly mixed throughout the flour.
Remove each chicken cutlet from the buttermilk mixture and let the extra liquid drip off slightly. Press the chicken into the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated on both sides. I like pressing the flour firmly onto the chicken for extra crunch.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the coated chicken into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and fully cooked. Each side usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.
Transfer the fried chicken onto a plate lined with paper towels. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes so the coating stays crispy. Resting also helps the juices stay inside the chicken instead of running out.
Remove most of the oil from the skillet but leave a couple tablespoons behind. Add butter and flour, whisking continuously until the mixture turns lightly golden. Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps from forming.
Add heavy cream to the gravy and continue cooking until thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. The gravy should be creamy enough to coat a spoon without becoming too thick.
Place the crispy chicken cutlets on serving plates and spoon warm gravy over the top. Add a generous scoop of slaw on the side for freshness and crunch. Serve immediately while everything is hot and crispy.