Chicken Fried Steak

Name: Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: PT-470951H3M49S
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 4 cube steaks; 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoons garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; 3/4 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs; 1 dash hot sauce; vegetable oil or canola oil; ¼ cup all purpose flour; 3 cups milk; Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

September 15, 2023 by Beth Pierce 66 Comments

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This Chicken-Fried Steak is a delectable southern classic with tender cube steak double breaded, fried to golden perfection, and smothered in creamy flour and milk-based gravy made from the pan drippings. There is nothing quite as delicious as chicken fried steak with gravy! Oh my gosh! I could eat this dish for breakfast!

This meal is always a huge hit with family and friends. It is the ultimate comfort food and hits that sweet spot just right. Plan or call your butcher ahead of time because sometimes cube steak can be difficult to find.

How to make Chicken Fried Steak

Start by salting and peppering the cube steak on both sides. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper in a large shallow bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce in a medium shallow bowl. Dredge the cube steaks in the seasoned flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and back into the flour mixture. Refrigerate on a clean baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper in a large shallow bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce in a medium shallow bowl.

Using a large skillet, fry up in the oil until golden brown, turning once to brown the other side. Move the fried cube steaks to paper towels or a wire rack to drain for a few minutes. Then move to a clean baking sheet and place in the oven on warm.

Then, remove all but 4 tablespoons of the oil from the skillet. Please do not remove the pan dripping from the skillet, as they add depth and flavor to the gravy. Now, over medium-low heat, sprinkle the flour over the oil. Then whisk for 2-3 minutes while the mixture cooks and browns. Slowly add the milk, whisking as you do. Continue whisking until smooth and creamy. Now simmer for about 5 minutes or until thickened—season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, pour the warm gravy over the crispy fried steaks.

Recipe notes and helpful tips

Cube steak, also known as round steak, is a cut of beef (usually top round) that has been tenderized and flattened with a meat tenderizing mallet.
Salt and pepper the cube steaks well before breading.
There is no need to deep fry these. Fry them up in about 1/8 – 1/4 inch oil in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.
Keep the fried steaks in the oven on warm while you finish them and while you are making the gravy. It will keep them crispy till the meal is served.
Let the steak sit after breading for about 20 minutes. This helps to ensure a good coating with the breading.
If gravy becomes too thick, add 1/4 cup milk at a time till the desired consistency.
To reheat, place on a baking sheet in a 400-degree oven for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Country fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans

What to serve with Chicken Fried Cube Steak

Mashed Potatoes, of course!
Southern Green Beans
Oven Roasted Corn
Homemade Biscuits
Scrambled Eggs if you are going for breakfast.
Southern Collard Greens
Turnip Greens
Fried Okra

Classic crispy southern chicken fried steak with an easy finger-licking good pan cream gravy made from the drippings.

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