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Chicken Fried Steak
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Enjoy a classic Chicken Fried Steak, the ultimate comfort food for a hearty dinner. Featuring a crispy outer coating and juicy interior, this recipe promises to deliver a satisfying meal. Serve it with creamy gravy for the full experience.
Perfect for any family dinner, this dish is sure to please!
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Chicken Fried Steak is a beloved Southern dish that combines crispy, breaded beef steak with creamy, rich gravy. This comfort food classic is typically made with tenderized cube steak that's coated in a seasoned flour and egg batter, then fried to golden perfection. It's often served smothered in a hearty white gravy, making it a satisfying meal for any occasion.
For those looking to recreate this traditional recipe at home, it involves simple ingredients like milk, eggs, all-purpose flour, and spices. The dish can be served alongside mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete, hearty meal. Perfect for family dinners, this recipe promises a deliciously crispy exterior with a juicy, flavorful interior.
Chicken Fried Steak Ingredients
What you'll need to make this chicken-fried steak recipe:
Steak Ingredients
- 2 to 3 cups peanut oil (enough to come up at least 1-inch of oil in your skillet)
- 2 pounds (6 – 5-ounce pieces) cubed beef steak pieces, room temperature
- ¼ cup of milk
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon season salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Gravy Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Substitutions and Additions
These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of this chicken fried steak with gravy!
- GRAVY: If the classic white gravy isn't to your liking, try using brown gravy for a deeper flavor. Both store-bought and homemade versions work well with this dish.
- SPICY: For a kick of heat, add a dash or two of cayenne pepper to your flour mixture. This will spice up the steaks without overwhelming the traditional flavors.
- OIL: While the recipe suggests peanut oil for frying due to its high smoke point, you can substitute it with canola or vegetable oil if you prefer.
- BREADING: Experiment with adding crushed crackers or breadcrumbs to the flour mixture for a different texture in the crust.
- MEAT: Although cube steak is traditional, using thin slices of sirloin or even chicken breast pounded thin can offer a delicious twist on the classic recipe.
How to cook Chicken Fried Steak
Pro Tip
Chicken Fried Steak is a versatile dish that can be easily adjusted to fit any family size. For smaller families, simply reduce the ingredients accordingly, but keep the same amount of oil in the skillet to ensure proper cooking. On the other hand, if you're serving a larger group, increase the ingredients proportionately. This flexibility makes it an ideal recipe for any gathering, ensuring everyone enjoys a perfectly fried steak.
FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a baking rack into a large baking sheet tray. Very lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
SECOND STEP: In a large skillet (at least 3-4 inches deep), on medium-high heat, place the peanut oil. Heat the oil to 350°F. While your oil is heating, you can coat your cubed steak pieces.
Pro Tip
For the best results when making Chicken Fried Steak, using peanut oil is recommended due to its high smoke point, meaning it won't burn as quickly as vegetable or canola oil. It's important to maintain your oil temperature around 350°F for optimal frying. Keep in mind, the more pieces you fry, the darker the oil will become, which can affect the flavor of your dish.
THIRD STEP: Set up a breading station (deep-dish pie plates work great for this) by placing the milk and eggs in one dish and whisking to combine.
FOURTH STEP: In a separate shallow bowl, place the flour, season salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
FIFTH STEP: Dip one piece of steak at a time, of the cubed steak, into the seasoned flour mixture, lightly coating both sides, then dip steak into the egg and milk mixture on both sides, and finally back into the flour mixture. Make sure the cubed beef piece is evenly coated, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Place breaded cubed steak on a large plate or rimmed baking tray, and repeat until all your cubed pieces of steak are breaded.
SIXTH STEP: Very carefully place 2 to 3 pieces (depending on the size of your skillet) of the breaded cube steak into the hot oil. Cook steak for 1 ½ minutes on each side or just until a light golden brown color.
Pro Tip
When making Chicken Fried Steak at home, rest assured that the cooking process finishes in the oven, where the steak will darken slightly. This method ensures your steak is perfectly crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
SEVENTH STEP: Remove the golden brown pieces of chicken fried steak from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drip off, then place the pieces onto the prepared baking tray.
EIGHTH STEP: Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the remaining steaks until all your pieces of meat are fried.
NINTH STEP: Place your fried cubed steak that is on the sheet tray into the oven to finish cooking for 20 minutes.
TENTH STEP: While your chicken fried steak is in the oven, you can make your steak gravy by placing, in a medium saucepan, the 4 tablespoons butter and ¼ cup flour. Cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking until the butter has absorbed the flour and is a pale gold color. Slowly pour the milk, constantly whisking to avoid lumps, into the saucepan with butter and flour mixture. Add the kosher salt and black pepper to the gravy and allow it to cook and thicken. This will take about 5 minutes. Make sure to whisk often to avoid burning the milk.
ELEVENTH STEP: Once the gravy has thickened, turn off the heat.
TWELVTH STEP: When the chicken fried steak is done cooking, plate each piece and top with the gravy.
How to serve breaded chicken fried steak
When preparing Chicken Fried Steak, it's best served immediately to preserve its crispiness and flavor. If needed, you can keep it warm in an oven set to 200°F for up to 20 minutes while you finish preparing other dishes. However, be aware that extended time in the oven might reduce the tenderness of the meat.
For a delightful meal, serve Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and your choice of steamed vegetables or green beans. This combination provides a comforting, balanced meal that complements the rich flavors of the steak.
This dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions where a hearty, satisfying meal is desired.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Comfort: Homemade Chicken Fried Steak brings a warm, comforting vibe to any meal. It's perfect for family gatherings and cozy nights.
Flavor: The crispy, seasoned crust paired with tender meat offers a mouthwatering taste that restaurant versions often can't match.
Versatility: This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, from mashed potatoes and gravy to fresh green beans, making it a customizable meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of meat works best for Chicken Fried Steak?
Cube steak is typically used because it’s tender and cooks evenly. Flattening the steak ensures the breading cooks through without burning.
How can you keep the crust on Chicken Fried Steak crispy?
Let the breaded steak sit for a few minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better and prevents it from falling off during frying.
Is Chicken Fried Steak served with any specific type of gravy?
Classic Chicken Fried Steak is usually served with creamy white gravy. The gravy complements the crispy coating and adds moisture to the dish.
Can Chicken Fried Steak be reheated without losing its texture?
Reheat it in the oven on a wire rack at a low temperature to preserve the crispiness. Avoid the microwave as it can make the breading soft and chewy.
Country Fried Steak vs Chicken Fried Steak?
Country Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Steak are similar but have distinct differences. Both involve breaded, fried beef steak, typically served with gravy. The main difference lies in the gravy and the breading.
Chicken Fried Steak usually features a crispier coating and is served with a creamy white gravy, often seen in Southern cuisine.
Country Fried Steak, on the other hand, is often served with a brown gravy and may have a slightly less crispy coating.
Both are hearty, comforting dishes but cater to slightly different tastes and traditions.
Storing this Recipe
In the Refrigerator: Store your Chicken Fried Steak in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days to preserve freshness.
This recipe is best enjoyed freshly cooked.
Freezing Not Recommended: Freezing is not advised as the fried coating can become soggy and lose its crispiness upon reheating.
Reheating this Recipe
In the Oven: Reheat Chicken Fried Steak in a preheated oven at 250°F on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes.
On the Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil, and reheat for a few minutes on each side until crisp.
Microwave Not Recommended: Avoid using a microwave as it can make the coating soggy and the steak tough.
Chicken Fried Steak
Ingredients
Steak
- 2-3 cups peanut oil (enough to come up at least 1 inch in your skillet)
- 2 pounds cubed beef steak pieces (room temperature, six 5 ounce pieces)
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon season salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Gravy
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place a baking rack into a large baking sheet tray. Very lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large heavy-duty skillet (at least 3 to 4 inches deep), on medium-high heat, place the peanut oil. Heat the oil to 350°F. While your oil is heating, you can coat your cubed steak pieces.
- Set up a breading station (deep-dish pie plates work great for this) by placing the milk and eggs in one dish and whisking to combine.
- In a second dish, place the flour, season salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
- Dip one piece at a time of the cubed steak, into the flour mixture lightly coating both sides, then into the egg mixture on both sides, and finally back into the flour mixture. Make sure the cubed beef piece is evenly coated, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Place breaded cubed steak on a large plate or rimmed baking tray, and repeat until all your cubed steak pieces are breaded.
- Very carefully place 2 to 3 pieces (depending on the size of your skillet) of the breaded cube steak into the hot oil. Cook for 1 ½ minutes on each side or just until a light golden brown color. Don’t worry, you will finish cooking your chicken fried steak in the oven. It will get slightly darker in the oven.
- Remove the golden brown pieces of chicken fried steak from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drip off, then place the pieces onto the prepared baking tray.
- Repeat steps 6 and 7 until all your pieces of meat are fried.
- Place your fried cubed steak that is on the sheet tray into the oven to finish cooking for 20 minutes.
- While your chicken fried steak is in the oven, you can make your gravy by placing, in a medium saucepan, the 4 tablespoons butter and ¼ cup flour. Cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking until the butter has absorbed the flour and is a pale gold color. Slowly pour the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps, into the saucepan with butter and flour mixture. Add the kosher salt and black pepper to the gravy and allow it to cook and thicken. This will take about 5 minutes. Make sure to whisk often to avoid burning the milk.
- Once the gravy has thickened, turn off the heat.
- When the chicken fried steak is done cooking, plate each piece and top with the gravy.
Comments
Cathy says
Such a good old fashioned hearty dinner! Family loved it 🙂