The Best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe For Your Comfort Food Fix

Chicken fried steak brings comfort straight to your dinner table with its crispy, golden-brown exterior and tender meat inside.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this hearty dish as a true culinary treasure.

Generations of home cooks have perfected the art of creating this classic meal with love and skill.

Crunch meets melt-in-your-mouth texture in every carefully crafted bite, promising pure satisfaction.

Flour, seasonings, and buttermilk create the magical coating that makes this recipe irresistible.

Pepper and salt dance together, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable feast.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe that guarantees smiles around the table and empty plates in minutes.

Why This Perfect Chicken Fried Steak Recipe Is So Satisfying

• Achieve restaurant-quality chicken fried steak right in your kitchen with minimal cooking skills required.
• Delivers nostalgic southern flavors that bring everyone together, making it perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
• Adaptable recipe works wonderfully for weeknight suppers or weekend special occasions, satisfying hearty appetites with its crispy exterior and rich gravy.
• Uses affordable ingredients and simple techniques, allowing home cooks to create a delicious meal without breaking the bank or requiring complex culinary expertise.

Everything You Need for a Great Chicken Fried Steak

• Cube Steaks: Tender, thin cuts of beef perfect for frying and creating a classic Southern comfort dish.
• All-Purpose Flour: The key ingredient for creating a crispy, golden-brown coating on the steaks.
• Eggs: Provide a sticky layer that helps the breading adhere to the meat.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the meat for a more flavorful result.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: A classic spice mixture that enhances the overall flavor of the chicken fried steak.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the steaks to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Milk: The base for creating a rich and creamy gravy.
• Paper Towels: Help drain excess oil from the fried steaks, ensuring a crisp texture.

How to Cook a Crispy, Juicy Chicken Fried Steak

Step 1: Prepare Flavor Base

Mix together your dry seasoning blend in a shallow dish.

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 2: Create Wet Coating

In a separate bowl, blend eggs and buttermilk.

Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 3: Coat Meat Perfectly

Dredge each cube steak through the seasoned flour mixture, then dip into egg mixture, and return to flour for a double-layer crispy coating.

Press flour gently to ensure complete coverage.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet, creating a half-inch deep pool.

Heat over medium-high temperature until oil shimmers and appears ready for frying.

Step 5: Fry Steaks Golden

Carefully place coated steaks into hot oil.

Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns rich golden brown and interior reaches safe temperature.

Step 6: Craft Creamy Gravy

Reduce skillet heat and sprinkle flour into remaining oil.

Stir constantly to create a roux.

Gradually pour milk, whisking continuously until gravy thickens and becomes smooth.

Step 7: Final Presentation

Transfer crispy steaks onto serving plates.

Generously ladle warm gravy over top.

Serve immediately while hot and wonderfully crunchy.

Suggestions That Improve Your Chicken Fried Steak Every Time

• Double-coat the steaks by dipping in flour, egg mixture, then flour again for an extra crispy, golden-brown crust that locks in juiciness.
• Use a thermometer to keep oil around 350°F, ensuring perfectly crisp exterior without burning the breading or leaving raw meat inside.
• Choose tenderized cube steaks to guarantee a soft, easy-to-cut texture that melts in your mouth and reduces cooking time.
• Whisk milk slowly into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy gravy that clings perfectly to the steak.
• Let fried steaks rest on paper towels to absorb extra oil, keeping the breading crisp and preventing a greasy final dish.

How to Keep Chicken Fried Steak Fresh and Crispy Later

• Store leftover chicken fried steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual steaks tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags, preserving quality for up to 2 months in the freezer.
• Warm steaks at 350°F on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain crispiness.
• Revive the crispy coating by gently reheating in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring even warming.

Top Sides That Complement Chicken Fried Steak Beautifully

• Elevate Comfort Flavors: Pair this classic Southern dish with crisp, tangy coleslaw to cut through the richness of the fried steak and creamy gravy.
• Refresh with Beverages: Serve an ice-cold beer like a light lager or a sweet tea to complement the hearty, crispy texture of the chicken fried steak.
• Balance with Sides: Add creamy mashed potatoes or buttery corn to create a complete comfort food experience that enhances the dish's savory profile.
• Wine Companion: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Malbec, which can stand up to the robust flavors of the breaded steak and peppery gravy.

Variations to Consider for Chicken Fried Steak Night

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and almond flour for coating, ensuring crispy texture for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap wheat flour with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, use heavy cream instead of milk in gravy, creating a low-carb alternative that maintains rich flavor.
• Healthier Baked Option: Instead of deep-frying, coat steaks with seasoned breadcrumbs and bake at 400°F on a wire rack, reducing oil content while preserving classic crispy exterior.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute cube steaks with thick-cut portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken alternatives, following same breading and cooking technique for a meat-free version.

FAQs

• What type of steak works best for this recipe?

Cube steak is the ideal cut for chicken fried steak because it’s already tenderized and thin, which helps create that classic crispy texture and ensures the meat cooks quickly and evenly.

• How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?

Drop a small piece of bread into the oil – if it sizzles and browns within 30 seconds, the oil is ready for frying. The optimal temperature is around 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown coating.

• Can I make this recipe without buttermilk?

While buttermilk provides the best flavor and helps tenderize the meat, you can substitute it with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using to simulate buttermilk’s tangy properties.

• Why do I need to double-coat the steak in flour?

Double-coating creates a thicker, crispier crust that seals in moisture and provides extra crunch. The first flour dip helps the egg stick, while the second flour coating ensures a rich, golden-brown exterior.

Perfect Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern comfort flows through this chicken fried steak, blending crispy golden breading with tender beef that melts in your mouth. Rich gravy and classic sides complete this soulful dish that connects you to down-home cooking traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 beef cube steaks (about 5.3 ounces or 150 grams each)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups milk

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup flour (for gravy)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Carefully season cube steaks with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both surfaces.
2. Create a seasoned flour mixture by combining flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Whisk eggs and buttermilk together in a separate bowl to create a smooth, uniform coating liquid.
4. Dredge each steak first in the seasoned flour, then completely submerge in the egg mixture, and return to the flour for a complete, crispy double coating.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to medium-high temperature (around 350°F), providing enough depth to partially submerge the steaks.
6. Gently place breaded steaks into hot oil, maintaining a consistent temperature to achieve a golden-brown exterior.
7. Fry steaks for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring they develop a crisp, rich crust and reach proper internal temperature.
8. Transfer fried steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
9. Reduce skillet heat to medium and sprinkle flour into remaining oil, creating a roux by stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes.
10. Slowly incorporate milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy gravy.
11. Season gravy with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and achieving a rich, velvety consistency.
12. Plate steaks immediately and generously ladle warm gravy over the top, serving hot for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

• Always use a meat mallet to tenderize cube steaks before breading, ensuring even thickness and maximum tenderness.
• Double-coat the steaks by dipping in flour, egg mixture, and flour again creates an extra crispy, golden-brown crust that seals in moisture.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfect frying, preventing greasy texture and ensuring a crunchy exterior while keeping meat juicy inside.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs, and use cornstarch as a thickener for gravy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 150mg