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Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

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Chicken fried steak represents the pinnacle of Southern comfort food, transforming tough cube steak into tender, crispy perfection through proper breading and frying techniques. This beloved dish combines the satisfying crunch of fried coating with juicy beef interior, traditionally served smothered in creamy white gravy. The key to exceptional chicken fried steak lies in achieving the perfect balance between crispy exterior and tender meat while creating rich, flavorful gravy from the pan drippings that ties the entire meal together.

Ingredients and How to Make

how to make chicken fried steak

Essential Ingredients

For the Steaks (Serves 4):

  • 4 cube chicken steaks (6 oz each), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 cups)

For White Gravy:

  • 3 tablespoons reserved pan drippings
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Step-by-Step Preparation

Meat preparation (10 minutes):

  1. Pat cube steaks completely dry with paper towels
  2. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper
  3. Let steaks rest at room temperature for 15 minutes
  4. Pound lightly with meat mallet if additional tenderizing needed

Breading station setup:

  1. Combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne in shallow dish
  2. Whisk buttermilk and eggs together in separate shallow dish
  3. Set up assembly line: seasoned flour, buttermilk mixture, then seasoned flour again
  4. Have large plate ready for breaded steaks

Breading process:

  1. Dredge each steak in seasoned flour, shaking off excess
  2. Dip in buttermilk mixture, coating completely
  3. Return to flour mixture, pressing coating firmly onto meat
  4. Place on plate and let rest 10 minutes for coating to set

Frying and Gravy Instructions

Frying technique (12-15 minutes total):

  1. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in large cast iron skillet or heavy pan
  2. Carefully place breaded steaks in hot oil without overcrowding
  3. Fry 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy
  4. Internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C)
  5. Transfer to wire rack over baking sheet to drain
  6. Reserve 3 tablespoons pan drippings for gravy

White gravy preparation:

  1. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons oil and drippings from pan
  2. Whisk flour into drippings over medium heat for 2 minutes
  3. Gradually add milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps
  4. Simmer 5-7 minutes until thickened to coating consistency
  5. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

chicken fried steak tips

Advance preparation: Bread steaks up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate covered. Bring to room temperature before frying for even cooking results.

Leftover storage: Store cooked steaks refrigerated up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore some crispiness rather than microwaving.

Gravy storage: Refrigerate leftover gravy up to 4 days, reheating gently while whisking. Thin with milk if gravy thickens too much during storage.

Conclusion

Perfect chicken fried steak requires attention to detail in meat preparation, breading technique, and frying temperature control. The combination of properly seasoned coating, tender meat, and rich gravy creates comfort food that satisfies on multiple levels. Success comes from understanding each component’s role and executing techniques that honor this beloved Southern tradition while creating memorable dining experiences for family and guests.

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