Marinate the Chicken: Pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then place them in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, this step ensures incredibly tender meat inside your crispy coating.
Mix the Seasoning Flour: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Set Up Your Breading Station: Have a beaten egg mixture in one shallow dish and your seasoned flour in another, this makes the breading process quick and efficient.
Coat the Chicken: Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dip it into the beaten egg and coat thoroughly with the seasoned flour. Make sure each piece is completely covered for maximum crispiness.
Heat the Oil: Fill a large skillet or Dutch oven with vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature is accurate, this prevents greasy or undercooked chicken.
Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the coating is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drain the Oil: Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Assemble the Plate: Arrange your French fries on a clean plate or platter, creating a foundation for the other components. Place the crispy fried chicken pieces on top of or alongside the fries, then add the shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, and red onion around the chicken.
Serve Immediately: Enjoy your crispy fried chicken plate while it's still hot and the coating is at its crunchiest.