Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken Fried Steak is a classic comfort food that combines tenderized steak coated in a seasoned, crispy crust and smothered in creamy gravy. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a family dinner or a special treat. Pair it with mashed potatoes and green beans for the ultimate southern meal.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Meat mallet
• Shallow bowls or plates for dredging
• Large skillet
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Paper towels

Ingredients Overview

• Cube Steak: Tenderized cuts of beef that cook quickly and stay juicy.
• Flour & Seasonings: For a flavorful crust, use a mix of flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Egg & Milk: The binding agents that help the coating stick.
• Oil: For frying; vegetable or canola oil works well.
• Gravy Ingredients: Flour, milk, and seasonings create a rich and creamy gravy to top your steak.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Steak

• Tenderize cube steaks further if needed by pounding lightly with a meat mallet. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Set Up the Dredging Station

• In one shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour with garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• In a second bowl, whisk together 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of milk.

3. Coat the Steaks

• Dip each steak into the flour mixture, coating both sides.
• Next, dip it into the egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

4. Fry the Steaks

• Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), add the steaks. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from the skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

5. Make the Gravy

• Drain most of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons and the browned bits.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve

• Serve the chicken fried steak hot, smothered in gravy.

Recipe Tips

• Tenderize the Meat: For extra tender results, pound the cube steaks gently to break down the fibers.
• Keep It Warm: Place fried steaks on a baking sheet in a low oven (200°F) while making the gravy.
• Oil Temperature: Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to get a crispy coating without absorbing too much oil.

What to Serve With This Recipe

• Creamy mashed potatoes or buttered biscuits
• Green beans or collard greens
• A simple side salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in advance?
Yes, you can fry the steaks ahead of time and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Can I use a different cut of meat?
If cube steak isn’t available, you can use top round or sirloin, but you’ll need to tenderize them thoroughly with a meat mallet.

How do I make it dairy-free?
Use non-dairy milk for the gravy and a dairy-free egg wash substitute (e.g., almond milk with a flax egg).

Ingredients

For the Steaks:

• 4 cube steaks
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Tenderize and season the cube steaks.
2. Dredge in flour, then egg, then flour again.
3. Fry steaks in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
4. Make the gravy by whisking flour into the skillet drippings, then adding milk and seasoning.
5. Serve the steaks hot with gravy poured over the top.

This Chicken Fried Steak recipe is crispy, flavorful, and perfect for any comfort food craving!

Chicken Fried Steak

a classic comfort food that combines tenderized steak coated in a seasoned, crispy crust and smothered in creamy gravy. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a family dinner or a special treat. Pair it with mashed potatoes and green beans for the ultimate southern meal.

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Equipment

• Kitchen Equipment Needed:
• Meat mallet
• Shallow bowls or plates for dredging
• Large skillet
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Paper towels

Ingredients

  

• For the Steaks:
• 4 cube steaks
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• Vegetable oil for frying
• For the Gravy:
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Tenderize and season the cube steaks.
• Dredge in flour, then egg, then flour again.
• Fry steaks in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• Make the gravy by whisking flour into the skillet drippings, then adding milk and seasoning.
• Serve the steaks hot with gravy poured over the top.
• This Chicken Fried Steak recipe is crispy, flavorful, and perfect for any comfort food craving!