Chicken Fried Steak

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Chicken fried steak is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make at home. This crispy, golden-brown steak covered in creamy gravy is sure to satisfy your cravings. You can whip up this tasty dish in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat.

The secret to great chicken fried steak is in the breading. You’ll dip cube steaks in seasoned flour, then a spicy buttermilk mixture, and back in flour again. This creates a crispy, flavorful crust that’s hard to resist. Don’t forget the gravy – it’s what takes this dish to the next level!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make chicken fried steak:

For the Steak:

• 4 cube steaks (about 1/3 lb each)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt or sea salt
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons TABASCO® Sauce (original)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil

For the Gravy:

• 4 tablespoons grease (from frying)
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 to 3 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

This recipe serves 4 people. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook. Each serving has about 956 calories.

Remember to have paper towels and a sheet pan or metal rack handy for the cooking process. You’ll also need two shallow bowls for the breading station.

Instructions

Mix the flour with spices in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, blend buttermilk, TABASCO, and eggs. Pat the steaks dry and season them.

Coat the steaks in flour, then egg mix, then flour again. Press the coating on well. Let them sit for 10 minutes.

Heat oil in a skillet. It should be about 1/4-inch deep. Test the oil with a bit of breading. It should sizzle but not smoke.

Fry two steaks at a time for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Don’t flip more than once. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a 225°F oven.

For the gravy, save 4 tablespoons of pan grease. Add it back to the skillet with flour. Whisk for 2-3 minutes until golden.

Slowly add 2 1/2 cups of milk and cream, whisking constantly. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve your chicken fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Enjoy your tasty meal!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can make some tasty swaps in this chicken fried steak recipe. Try these ideas:

• Use pork cutlets or chicken breasts instead of cube steak
• Swap buttermilk for regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Replace Tabasco with your favorite hot sauce
• Use gluten-free flour for a wheat-free version

For extra flavor, try these additions:

• Add 1 teaspoon dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the flour mixture
• Mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan into the breading
• Sprinkle garlic powder on the steaks before breading

Want to change up the cooking method? You can:

• Bake the steaks at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway
• Use an air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway

For a lighter version, skip the gravy and serve with lemon wedges. Or make a healthier gravy using Greek yogurt instead of cream.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the crispiest chicken fried steak, make sure to pat the meat dry before seasoning. This helps the breading stick better. Let the breaded steaks sit for 10 minutes before frying to allow the coating to adhere.

When frying, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook just two steaks at a time so they have room to get golden and crispy. Flip only once to keep the breading intact.

Test your oil temperature by dropping in a bit of breading. It should sizzle right away. If it doesn’t, your oil isn’t hot enough yet.

To keep cooked steaks warm, place them on a wire rack in a 250°F oven while you finish the rest. This helps maintain their crunch.

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven on a wire rack for about 10 minutes to crisp them back up.

For extra flavor, try adding some cayenne or dried herbs to your flour mixture. You can also experiment with different hot sauces in place of the Tabasco.