Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is the perfect comfort food. This crispy steak is fried until golden brown and topped with rich, creamy country gravy that makes every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s a dish that can easily become a family favorite.
It’s hard to think of a more classic Southern meal than Chicken Fried Steak with gravy. The only real question is when to enjoy it – breakfast or dinner.
My family absolutely loves these tender steaks with a crispy, crunchy coating. And the creamy homemade gravy poured on top? Simply irresistible!
Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
I thought it was the perfect time to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you. I have been enjoying this classic Southern comfort dish for as long as I can remember.
My Nana was the first person who introduced me to Chicken Fried Steak. She always made the most delicious meals, and many of my favorite recipes came from her kitchen. This recipe is inspired by her original version, based on the way I remember her making it.
Over time, I have adjusted it a little, but the crispy coating, tender steak, and rich flavor are exactly what make this dish so special. In my opinion, this truly is the best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe you can make at home.
Chicken Fried Steak: Breakfast or Dinner?
One of the best things about this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is how versatile it is. You can enjoy it any time of the day, whether it’s for a comforting dinner or a hearty breakfast.
For dinner, we love serving this crispy chicken fried steak with creamy gravy, along with mashed potatoes and classic green beans for a well-balanced Southern meal.
If you’re craving a delicious brunch, this dish is just as perfect. Serve it with sunny-side-up eggs and crispy hash browns, and you’ll have a satisfying breakfast that everyone will enjoy.
No matter when you serve it, this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe always delivers comfort, flavor, and a classic homemade taste.
My boys almost always order chicken fried steak when we go out for breakfast. But the truth is, this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is actually very easy to make at home.
Over the years, I have tried many different recipes, and honestly, some of them were just average. But this one is different. It gives you tender steak, a perfectly crispy coating, and amazing flavor every time.
If you want a simple, homemade meal that tastes just as good as restaurant-style chicken fried steak, this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is definitely one you should try.
I have created the ultimate Chicken Fried Steak Recipe that pairs perfectly with a rich and creamy country gravy. The crispy, golden steak tastes even better when it’s covered with that smooth, flavorful gravy.
Every bite gives you the perfect combination of crunchy coating, tender steak, and creamy gravy. It’s the kind of comfort food meal that everyone loves and keeps coming back for.
How to Properly Season and Add Flavor
One of the secrets to a great Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is seasoning every layer of the dish. When each step is well-seasoned, the final result has much better flavor.
First, the steaks are seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance their natural taste. Next, the flour coating is mixed with herbs and spices, which helps create that crispy, flavorful crust when the steak is fried.
The buttermilk and egg mixture is also lightly seasoned and can include a few drops of hot sauce to add extra depth of flavor. It doesn’t make the dish very spicy, but it helps bring out the other flavors in the steak and coating.
If you enjoy a little heat, you can add a few extra drops of hot sauce to the batter or drizzle some on top of the finished steak. This simple step can give your Chicken Fried Steak Recipe an extra kick while still keeping the rich, comforting flavor everyone loves.
Why Is It Called Chicken Fried Steak?
If you’re new to this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe, you might wonder why it’s called chicken fried steak. The name can definitely be a little confusing.
Chicken Fried Steak is not made with chicken at all. Instead, it’s made with cube steak, which is a cut of beef that has already been tenderized at the grocery store. The reason for the name is simple – the steak is breaded and fried in the same way fried chicken is prepared.
To make this classic dish, the steak is first coated in a seasoned flour mixture. Then it is dipped into a buttermilk and egg mixture, and finally coated with flour again to create a thick, crispy crust.
After that, the steak is fried until golden brown and perfectly crispy. It is then topped with rich, creamy country gravy, which adds incredible flavor to the dish. Many people even say the gravy is the best part of this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe.
Don’t Forget the Gravy!
A great Chicken Fried Steak Recipe is not complete without rich, creamy gravy. The gravy adds flavor and makes the dish even more comforting. Here are a few important tips for making the best gravy.
- 1. Do not scrape the skillet.
After frying the steak, leave the browned bits in the pan because they add a lot of flavor. Simply remove most of the grease and keep a small amount in the skillet to start the gravy. - 2. Let the flour cook before adding liquids.
Cook the flour in the skillet for a short time until it turns slightly golden. This step adds flavor and removes the raw flour taste. - 3. Slowly whisk in milk and a little cream.
Add the milk and cream gradually while whisking. This helps prevent lumps and gives you a smooth and creamy gravy. - 4. Season at the end.
Taste the gravy before adding salt. In many cases, it doesn’t need extra salt, but freshly ground black pepper adds great flavor.
In the detailed instructions below, I explain each step of this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe, but these tips will help you make the perfect gravy every time.
Tips for the Best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Here are some simple tips to help you make the perfect Chicken Fried Steak Recipe at home.
- 1. You don’t need to deep fry.
There’s no need for deep frying to get great results. You can shallow fry the steaks in about one cup of vegetable oil (or less) until they are golden brown and crispy. - 2. Use a heavy skillet.
A heavy skillet works best for even cooking. A cast iron skillet is a great option, but any large, heavy-bottomed pan will work well. - 3. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Always cook only two steaks at a time. Overcrowding the pan can make the coating less crispy. If needed, preheat your oven to 225–250°F to keep the cooked steaks warm and crispy while you prepare the gravy. - 4. Use buttermilk for tenderness and flavor.
Buttermilk helps keep the steak tender, and adding a small amount of TABASCO to the mixture can give the batter extra flavor without making it too spicy. You can also add a few drops on top of the finished steak if you like a little extra kick.
These simple tips will help you create a crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked Chicken Fried Steak Recipe every time.
- 5. Use baking soda and baking powder in the breading.
You may notice that this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe includes baking soda and baking powder in the breading mixture. These ingredients help create a light, extra crispy coating that you don’t usually find in other recipes. - 6. Press the flour coating firmly onto the steak.
After breading the cube steaks, press the flour mixture firmly onto the meat. This helps the coating stick better and cover the steak completely, giving you a perfect crispy crust when frying. - 7. Flip the steaks only once.
When frying the steaks, avoid flipping them too often. Let the steak cook until it is golden brown and crispy, then flip it once to cook the other side. This helps keep the coating crunchy and intact.
These simple tips will help you get perfectly crispy results every time with your Chicken Fried Steak Recipe.
If you still have questions about this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe, feel free to watch the video for a step-by-step guide.
You can also leave a comment below if you need help or want to share your experience. I’d love to hear what you think after you try this Chicken Fried Steak Recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
What cut of meat is best for a Chicken Fried Steak Recipe?
Cube steak is the best choice for any Chicken Fried Steak Recipe. It’s already tenderized, which makes it perfect for frying and gives you that classic tender texture with a crispy coating.
Can I make Chicken Fried Steak without buttermilk?
Yes, you can use regular milk mixed with a little lemon juice or white vinegar as a substitute. Let it sit for a few minutes before using. That said, real buttermilk gives the best flavor and tenderness.
How do I keep the breading from falling off in a Chicken Fried Steak Recipe?
Press the flour mixture firmly onto the steak and let it rest for a few minutes before frying. Also, avoid flipping more than once – this helps the coating stay crisp and intact.
Can I make Chicken Fried Steak ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh for that perfect crunch. If needed, you can keep the cooked steaks warm in the oven at 225–250°F while you finish the gravy.
Why is my gravy lumpy when making Chicken Fried Steak Recipe?
Gravy gets lumpy when the milk is added too quickly. Slowly whisk it in while stirring constantly to keep the texture smooth and creamy.
Can I bake Chicken Fried Steak instead of frying?
You can, but it won’t have the same crispy texture. For the best results and authentic flavor, shallow frying is the way to go.
The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the flour mixture. In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare the wet mixture. In another shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk, a little TABASCO, and eggs until well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the steaks. Use a paper towel to pat the cube steaks dry, removing as much moisture as possible. Season the steaks with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Let them sit for about 5 minutes, then pat them dry again.
- Coat the steaks. First, coat the cube steaks in the flour mixture and shake off the extra flour. Next, dip them into the buttermilk and egg mixture, letting the extra liquid drip off. Finally, coat the steaks again in the flour mixture and shake off the excess.
- Rest the coated steaks. Place the breaded steaks on a sheet pan or metal rack. Press any remaining flour mixture onto the steaks so they are fully coated. Let them rest for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 225–250°F to keep the cooked steaks warm while you prepare the rest of the Chicken Fried Steak Recipe.
- Heat the oil. Add vegetable oil to a heavy skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be about ¼ inch deep. This recipe uses shallow frying, not deep frying.
- Check the oil temperature. Drop a small piece of breading into the oil. If the oil sizzles and bubbles, it is ready. The oil should look shiny but not smoking, around 320–340°F.
- Fry the steaks. Place two steaks at a time into the pan. Fry for 3–4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy. Only flip the steaks once to keep the breading from falling off.
- Drain and keep warm. Remove the steaks from the pan and place them on paper towels to drain. Then transfer them to the preheated oven to stay warm while you finish cooking the rest.
- Save the skillet flavor. Pour the remaining grease from the skillet into a heat-safe bowl or measuring cup. Do not scrape the skillet clean. Leave the browned bits in the pan because they add great flavor to the gravy.
- Add grease back to the skillet. Return about 4 tablespoons of the grease to the hot skillet.
- Cook the flour. Whisk in the flour and keep whisking for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light golden brown. This step builds flavor and removes the raw flour taste.
- Add milk and cream slowly. Mix the milk and cream together, then slowly pour about 2½ cups into the skillet while whisking constantly. At first it may look uneven, but it will smooth out as you continue whisking.
- Simmer until creamy. Keep whisking and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the gravy becomes smooth and creamy. If it gets too thick, simply add a little more milk.
- Season and serve. Season the gravy with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve your Chicken Fried Steak Recipe with the creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, and your favorite green vegetables.
- Enjoy this classic comfort meal!
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 956kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 58g |Saturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 280mg | Sodium: 472mg |
Potassium: 1017mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g |
Vitamin A: 1025IU | Calcium: 346mg | Iron: 5.8mg