Slice the chicken breast into even, thick strips to ensure uniform cooking.
Place the chicken in a bowl and submerge in the low-fat buttermilk, allowing it to marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
In a shallow dish, whisk together the whole wheat flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 0.25 tsp of the sea salt, and black pepper.
Remove each chicken strip from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to create a thick coating.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and lightly coat the basket with half of the avocado oil.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket and spray the tops evenly with the remaining avocado oil.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping the strips halfway through, until the exterior is shatteringly crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
While the chicken cooks, toss the shredded cabbage with the apple cider vinegar and the remaining 0.25 tsp of sea salt.
Serve the hot, crispy chicken immediately with the fresh cabbage slaw on the side.