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Chicken Lunch Dinner Beef
4.6 from 11 votes

Chicken Fried Steak

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By: Joanna Cismaru •1/27/23 2 Comments

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pin for chicken fried steak

This Chicken Fried Steak is perfectly seasoned with a crispy coating and a mouthwateringly juicy and tender interior. Fried to golden perfection and topped with a homemade gravy.

chicken fried steak on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy on a white plate.
Table of Contents Open
  • Why Make This Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • What is Chicken Fried Steak
    • What is the Difference Between Chicken Fried Steak and Country Fried Steak
    • Why Buttermilk?
  • Expert Tips
  • Storing Leftovers
    • Reheating
    • Freezing
    • Reheating From Frozen
  • Did you like this fried recipe? Try these!
  • Chicken Fried Steak
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Why Make This Recipe

This chicken-fried steak is the ideal dinner, especially if you’re looking for a down-home, stick-to-your-ribs, southern comfort food meal! Made with a short list of simple, kitchen staples, this crispy steak drizzled in a homemade gravy will knock your socks clean off!

The crispy coating on the steak is infused with simple spices that really amp up the flavor profile in this dish. The best part in my opinion, is the gravy!

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make chicken fried steak.
  • Steak – Cube steak (tenderized round steak.) Cube steak refers to a cut of beef, usually top round or top sirloin, tenderized and flattened out by pounding with a meat tenderizer! You can usually find this in your local grocery store or butcher.
  • Flour –  I used all-purpose flour which is a must for the breading, you can also use gluten-free flour for this recipe!
  • Seasoning – We are using garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika!
  • Baking Soda & Baking Powder – Believe it or not this aids in getting that extra crispy coating.
  • Buttermilk – If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own using 2 cups of regular milk, and 2 tbsp of either lemon juice or white vinegar. You need this to help tenderize the meat.

How to Make Chicken Fried Steak

  1. Prep dredge and batter: Set up an assembly line of dishes. In one dish combine the flour with 1 tsp of salt. In another dish add the remaining salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, baking soda, baking powder, buttermilk and eggs. Whisk well. Place a cooling rack next to the plates.
  2. Dredge the steaks: Working with one steak at a time, dredge the steak through the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Place the steak on the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining steaks. Reserve 1/4 cup of the flour mixture.
process shots showing how to dredge chicken fried steak through flour and buttermilk mixture
  1. Prepare oil and fry the steaks: Heat the cup of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Using tongs, add 1 or 2 steaks to the skillet, depending on how big your steaks are and how many can fit and fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Flip the steaks and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Transfer steaks to a paper lined plate. Repeat with remaining steaks.
  2. Make the gravy: Carefully pour the frying oil into a heatproof bowl, making sure to save most of the brown bits left in the skillet. Return ¼ cup of the grease back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the reserved ¼ cup of flour mixture. Whisk continuously until it starts to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the 2 cups of milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and continue whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary.
  3. Serve: Serve the steaks drizzled with the gravy over mashed potatoes.
process shots showing how to fry chicken fried steak and make gravy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chicken Fried Steak

Is it chicken? Is it steak? Well I’m here to clear up any of your questions! Chicken fried steak, often referred to as “country-fried steak” (I’ll get to that in a minute) is a true “southern comfort food” dish, easiest recognized as a breaded cutlet, comparable to a schnitzel. The “chicken fried” part of the name comes from using a similar cooking method to fried chicken, but instead of poultry, a beefsteak is coated with seasoned flour, pan-fried to golden brown perfection and served with a rich and creamy gravy. In short: It’s a crispy coated fried steak with a creamy gravy!

What is the Difference Between Chicken Fried Steak and Country Fried Steak

They are in fact quite similar, and some food historians actually believe that they’re regional names for the same thing. They are both essentially a breaded pan-fried steak served with gravy. The other difference is that country fried steak is flour-dusted and usually served with brown gravy and onions and chicken fried steak is breaded with eggs and served with a white gravy.

Why Buttermilk?

Buttermilk comes from the slightly acidic liquid left behind after heavy cream is churned into butter. The acidity in the buttermilk helps create that crispy coating, makes our meat extremely tender and adds a little extra oomph and tang, levelling up the flavor profile of the entire dish! It truly is a “jack of all trades” when it comes to fried meat.

Expert Tips

  • Do not overcrowd the pan, it’s better to fry one steak at a time like I did, since my steaks were quite big.
  • To keep the steaks warm while making the gravy, keep them in a preheated oven at 250°F or if your oven has one, in the warming drawer.
  • Baking soda and baking powder are a must in the breading to get the steaks extra crispy.
pouring gravy from a jug over a plate with mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak

Storing Leftovers

Your leftover chicken fried steaks will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge!

Reheating

Fried leftovers can be tough to keep crisp, therefore its necessary to have the right reheating method!

To Reheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the chicken fried steaks on it. Lightly place another sheet of foil over the steaks. Bake for 20 minutes, then let them cool for 5 minutes. Check for crispiness and bake for another 5 minutes uncovered, if necessary.

Freezing

Leftover chicken fried steak will last 4 months in the freezer stored in an airtight container.

Reheating From Frozen

Allow the chicken fried steaks to thaw in the fridge overnight, then let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before following the reheating steps listed above.

overhead shot of chicken fried steak on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy on a white plate.

Did you like this fried recipe? Try these!

  • Fried Pickles
  • Air Fryer Fried Chicken
  • Crispy Fried Zucchini
  • Easy Potato Latkes
  • Crispy Fried Chicken
  • Best Fried Chicken Sandwich

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

chicken fried steak on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy on a white plate.
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4.55 from 11 votes

Chicken Fried Steak

Prep 20 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 45 minutes
Rate Recipe
This Chicken Fried Steak is perfectly seasoned with a crispy coating and a mouthwateringly juicy and tender interior. Fried to golden perfection and topped with a homemade gravy.
4

Ingredients

  • 4 cube steak (tenderized round steak)
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon salt (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For Gravy

  • 2 cups milk
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Prep dredge and batter: Set up an assembly line of dishes. In one dish combine the flour with 1 tsp of salt. In another dish add the remaining salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, baking soda, baking powder, buttermilk and eggs. Whisk well. Place a cooling rack next to the plates.
  • Dredge the steaks: Working with one steak at a time, dredge the steak through the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Place the steak on the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining steaks. Reserve 1/4 cup of the flour mixture.
  • Prepare oil and fry the steaks: Heat the cup of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Using tongs, add 1 or 2 steaks to the skillet, depending on how big your steaks are and how many can fit and fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Flip the steaks and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Transfer steaks to a paper lined plate. Repeat with remaining steaks.
  • Make the gravy: Carefully pour the frying oil into a heatproof bowl, making sure to not scrape any of the brown bits left in the skillet. Return ¼ cup of the grease back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the reserved ¼ cup of flour mixture. Whisk continuously until it starts to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the 2 cups of milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and continue whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary.
  • Serve: Serve the steaks drizzled with the gravy.

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet
  • White Shallow Bowls – Set of 6
  • Black Cooling Rack

Video

Notes

  1. Your leftover chicken fried steaks will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge!
  2. To Reheat: Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the chicken fried steaks on it. Lightly place another sheet of foil over the steaks. Bake for 20 minutes, then let them cool for 5 minutes. Check for crispiness and bake for another 5 minutes uncovered, if necessary.
  3. Leftover chicken fried steak will last 4 months in the freezer stored in an airtight container.
  4. Allow the chicken fried steaks to thaw in the fridge overnight, then let them sit at room temp for 30 minutes before following the reheating steps listed above.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1steakCalories: 876kcal (44%)Carbohydrates: 46g (15%)Protein: 49g (98%)Fat: 55g (85%)Saturated Fat: 34g (213%)Cholesterol: 234mg (78%)Sodium: 1575mg (68%)Potassium: 959mg (27%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 555IU (11%)Calcium: 294mg (29%)Iron: 6mg (33%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

chicken fried steak on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy on a white plate.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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2 Comments
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NoelT
NoelT
Posted: 2 years ago

Made this with elk (husband is a hunter) & it was AMAZING!! Will definitely make again.

0
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Loved this recipe…so delicious!

0
Reply

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Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

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