chicken fried steak recipe.

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Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

Crispy, golden, and incredibly comforting, this Chicken Fried Steak recipe features tender cube steak coated in a seasoned breading, fried until perfectly crunchy, and served with creamy homemade country gravy. It is a classic Southern comfort food that makes an easy and satisfying family dinner.

What Is Chicken Fried Steak?

Chicken Fried Steak is a classic American Southern dish made with tenderized beef steak, usually cube steak, that is coated in seasoned flour and fried until golden and crispy. Despite its name, it contains beef rather than chicken. The name comes from the cooking method, which is similar to preparing fried chicken.

It is traditionally served with creamy white country gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, or other classic Southern side dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Fried Steak

  • Crispy and golden: The seasoned coating fries up beautifully crunchy.
  • Tender and juicy: Cube steak becomes tender and flavorful when properly prepared.
  • Creamy country gravy: The rich peppery gravy is the perfect finishing touch.
  • Classic Southern flavor: It delivers everything you want from traditional comfort food.
  • Easy ingredients: Most ingredients are pantry staples.
  • Perfect family dinner: Serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Great for leftovers: Reheat gently and enjoy another comforting meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Fried Steak

  • 4 cube steaks, about 4 ounces each
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1½ cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Country Gravy

  • ¼ cup reserved frying oil or pan drippings
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2½ cups whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

How to Make Chicken Fried Steak

1. Prepare the Steaks

Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels. If needed, gently pound them to an even thickness. This helps the steaks cook evenly and remain tender.

2. Prepare the Breading

In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce.

3. Coat the Steaks

Dip each steak into the seasoned flour, making sure it is completely coated. Shake off excess flour, then dip it into the buttermilk mixture.

Return the steak to the seasoned flour and press the flour firmly onto the surface. This double coating creates the signature crispy crust.

4. Heat the Oil

Pour about ½ inch of vegetable oil into a large heavy skillet. Heat the oil to approximately 350°F (175°C).

Avoid overcrowding the skillet because this can lower the oil temperature and make the coating less crispy.

5. Fry the Steaks

Carefully place the breaded steaks into the hot oil. Fry for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, or until deeply golden and cooked through.

Transfer the steaks to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Avoid stacking them because the steam can soften the crispy coating.

6. Make the Country Gravy

Carefully pour off excess oil, leaving about ¼ cup of the frying oil and flavorful browned bits in the skillet.

Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.

Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue cooking over medium heat until the gravy thickens.

Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

7. Serve

Place the crispy chicken fried steaks on serving plates and generously spoon the warm country gravy over the top.

Serve immediately with your favorite Southern side dishes.

Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Fried Steak

  • Use cube steak: Its tenderized texture is ideal for this recipe.
  • Do not skip the double coating: It creates a thicker, crunchier crust.
  • Let excess coating fall off: Too much loose flour can burn in the oil.
  • Maintain the oil temperature: Aim for about 350°F for consistent browning.
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet: Fry in batches if necessary.
  • Use a wire rack: It keeps the bottom crispy while the steaks drain.
  • Season every layer: Proper seasoning makes a huge difference in flavor.
  • Add black pepper generously: It gives the country gravy its classic Southern character.
  • Serve immediately: Chicken fried steak is at its crispiest when freshly fried.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Chicken Fried Steak with:

  • Creamy mashed potatoes
  • Southern-style green beans
  • Corn on the cob
  • Biscuits
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Coleslaw
  • Collard greens
  • Fried okra
  • Cornbread
  • Creamy country gravy

For a classic Southern dinner, serve the steak over mashed potatoes with plenty of country gravy and a side of green vegetables.

Variations

Spicy Chicken Fried Steak

Add extra cayenne pepper or a little hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture.

Extra-Crispy Chicken Fried Steak

Add a tablespoon or two of the buttermilk mixture to the seasoned flour and rub it together with your fingers before breading the steaks. This creates small crispy pieces in the coating.

Country Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak and country fried steak are very similar. Country fried steak is sometimes served with brown gravy rather than traditional white pepper gravy.

Southern Chicken Fried Steak

For an especially classic Southern version, serve the crispy steak with creamy pepper gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Storage

Store leftover chicken fried steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For the best texture, reheat the steak in an oven or air fryer rather than the microwave. Reheat at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crisp.

Store the country gravy separately and gently reheat it on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk if it becomes too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Chicken Fried Steak?

It is called Chicken Fried Steak because the beef steak is prepared and fried using a method similar to fried chicken. The dish itself is made with beef, not chicken.

What cut of beef is best for Chicken Fried Steak?

Cube steak is the traditional choice because it has already been tenderized and cooks relatively quickly.

Can I use another cut of beef?

Yes. Round steak can be tenderized with a meat mallet and used instead of cube steak.

Why is my Chicken Fried Steak not crispy?

The oil may not have been hot enough, or the skillet may have been overcrowded. Maintaining an oil temperature around 350°F helps the coating become crisp and golden.

How do I keep the breading from falling off?

Pat the steaks dry, press the flour firmly onto the meat, and allow the coated steaks to rest for about 5–10 minutes before frying.

Can I make Chicken Fried Steak ahead of time?

You can prepare the steaks and bread them ahead of time, then refrigerate them until ready to fry. For the best texture, fry them shortly before serving.

Can I freeze Chicken Fried Steak?

Yes. Allow cooked steaks to cool completely, wrap them tightly, and freeze. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to help restore the crisp texture.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving, including country gravy:

  • Calories: 620 kcal
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 5 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the cut of beef, amount of breading and oil absorbed during frying, and serving size.

Similar Recipes

  • Southern Fried Chicken
  • Country Fried Steak
  • Chicken and Gravy
  • Southern Meatloaf
  • Salisbury Steak
  • Chicken Fried Chicken
  • Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Final Thoughts

Chicken Fried Steak is the ultimate Southern comfort food: tender beef covered in a crispy golden coating and finished with rich, creamy country gravy. The combination of crunchy breading, juicy steak, and peppery gravy makes this classic dish incredibly satisfying.

Serve it with mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, or your favorite Southern sides for a hearty homemade dinner that the whole family will love.

Try this easy Chicken Fried Steak recipe and enjoy a crispy, tender, and delicious Southern classic right at home!

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