Chicken fried steak is a popular American dish that consists of a tenderized and breaded beef cutlet that is fried until golden brown and crispy. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with chicken. Instead, it is a steak that is prepared in a manner similar to how fried chicken is made, hence the name “chicken fried.”
Chicken Fried Steak
Servings
4
servingsPrep time
30
minutesCooking time
40
minutesThe process of making chicken fried steak typically involves the following steps:
Ingredients
- For the steak
4 pieces of cube steak (about 4-6 ounces each)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk or whole milk
Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the gravy
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Prepare the steak:
- In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together.
- Dip each piece of cube steak into the flour mixture, coating it evenly on both sides. Shake off any excess flour.
- Next, dip the steak into the egg mixture, making sure it’s well coated.
- Finally, dip the steak back into the flour mixture for a double coating. Set the coated steaks aside on a plate.
- Fry the steaks:
- In a large skillet, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom by about 1/4 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking.
- Carefully place the coated steaks into the hot oil and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to fry the steaks in batches.
- Once cooked, transfer the fried steaks to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Make the gravy:
- Remove any excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons in the pan.
- Over medium heat, whisk in 1/4 cup of flour into the remaining oil to create a roux. Cook the roux for a minute or two until it’s lightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Cook the gravy, stirring frequently, until it thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Place the fried chicken steak on a serving plate, and pour the creamy gravy over the top.
- Chicken fried steak is often served with mashed potatoes and vegetables as traditional side dishes.