Simple Chicken Fried Steak
on Mar 02, 2019, Updated Jan 30, 2024
This Simple Chicken Fried Steak is heavily breaded cubed steak, pan fried, and then topped with the best creamy white gravy. Southern comfort food that is absolutely delicious. You will find it perfect for a easy weeknight dinner or even breakfast.
Simple Chicken Fried Steak
Some will call this dish Chicken Fried Steak and others will call it Country Fried Steak. Many are confused as to the difference between the two. I seriously always thought they were the same thing. And they basically are.
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Chicken fried steak is typically served with a white gravy. You will usually find country fried steak served with a brown gravy. Chicken fried steak is breaded a bit heavier so the coating is a bit thicker with more flavor. We prefer Chicken Fried Steak. And, this is the BEST Chicken Fried Recipe I have tried.
What exactly is Chicken Fried Steak? Chicken fried steak starts with beef cubed steak. You read that correctly, beef not chicken. Strange, I know. The steaks are coated in a seasoned batter and pan fried. Sort of like fried chicken hence the name.
We dredge our steaks in a perfectly seasoned flour mixture, then an egg and milk bath. We then place the steaks back into that flour mixture one more time. Next, we pan fry our cubed streaks until they are slightly golden brown.
Lastly, we make the chicken fried steak gravy. I personally feel this dish is all about the white gravy, one of the best I have ever made. It pairs so well with the crispy fried steak. I use the drippings along with some milk and spices. It’s definitely not a boring flavorless gravy. Go ahead and serve an extra small dish on the side because everyone will want more!
Traditional southern recipes are some of my families favorites. My husband is originally from the south so he is a fan of southern comfort food. This Simple Chicken Fried Steak with creamy flavorful white gravy is one of his all time favorites.
Chicken Fried Steak is great for breakfast or for dinner. I usually serve ours for a simple weeknight dinner. The recipe is so easy and does not take much time to prepare. I serve my Mashed Potatoes along side. If I have enough time, I will also include our Southern Style Green Beans to make this an ultimate southern comfort meal.
Many like to serve Chicken Fried Steak for breakfast. If you plan to serve it for breakfast, go ahead and serve it with eggs and maybe some hashbrowns. Your family will love it for whichever meal you serve it.
Ingredients to make Homemade Chicken Fried Steak
Steaks:
2 Eggs
1 cup Milk
2 cup Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Paprika
2 tsp Chili Powder
2 lbs Cube Steak
3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 tbsp Butter
Gravy:
1/2 cup Flour
2 1/2 cup Milk
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
How to make Chicken Fried Steak
Steaks:
Combine milk and eggs in a shallow dish and whisk until well blended.
Combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and chili powder and whisk until well blended.
Pat each steak with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Lightly salt and pepper each piece of meat on both sides.
Place into the flour mixture. Turn to coat.
Place into the egg mixture. Turn to coat.
Place back into the flour and turn to coat.
Place onto a clean plate.
Repeat with the remaining pieces of meat.
Place oil and butter in a large skillet to about 1/4″ deep.
Heat over medium heat. If oil smokes reduce heat.
Cook the meat, several pieces at a time, about 2 minutes per side, until edges browned.
Transfer cooked steaks to baking sheet in 200 degree oven to keep warm.
Repeat with remaining steaks.
Gravy:
Sprinkle flour over the pan contents.
Whisk together to make brown paste.
Cook until golden brown.
Gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly.
Add remaining ingredients and cook, still whisking, until gravy thickens.
If mixture gets too thick gradually add a little more milk,
Tips for making the best Chicken Fried Steak:
- If your cubed steak seems to be on the thicker side, go ahead and pound it a bit thinner. You will not a over 1/2 inch or so thick.
- Pat your steaks dry before dipping in your breading mixture. If your meat is too wet, the breading will not hold as well.
- Be sure to heavily coat your cubed steaks with each mixture. This helps “bind” all of the coating to the steak.
- When adding oil to your pan, you will want it to be about 1/4 inch deep. Do not let your oil get too hot. If it is smoking, it is way too hot for frying your steaks.
- You will want to cook until you see no blood running. But a little bit of pink in the middle will be fine.
- Leave all your grease and bits in your fry pan. These will add so much flavor to your gravy. If your gravy thickens too quickly, go ahead and whisk in some additional milk.
- Toss each steak in a warm oven after frying to keep them warm as you prepare your remaining steaks and gravy. I set mine at 200 degrees.
Looking for other family weeknight dinner ideas? You may want to check out these other recipes that I have shared:
Chicken Fried Steak
Ingredients
Steaks:
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 cup Flour
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 2 lbs Cube Steak
- 3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
Gravy:
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 2 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
Steaks:
- Combine milk and eggs in a shallow dish and whisk until well blended.
- Combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and chili powder and whisk until well blended.
- Pat each steak with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Lightly salt and pepper each piece of meat on both sides.
- Place into the flour mixture. Turn to coat.
- Place into the egg mixture. Turn to coat.
- Place back into the flour and turn to coat.
- Place onto a clean plate.
- Repeat with the remaining pieces of meat.
- Place oil and butter in a large skillet to about 1/4" deep.
- Heat over medium heat. If oil smokes reduce heat.
- Cook the meat, several pieces at a time, about 2 minutes per side, until edges browned.
- Transfer cooked steaks to baking sheet in 200 degree oven to keep warm.
- Repeat with remaining steaks.
Gravy:
- Sprinkle flour over the pan contents.
- Whisk together to make brown paste.
- Cook until golden brown.
- Gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly.
- Add remaining ingredients and cook, still whisking, until gravy thickens.
- If mixture gets too thick gradually add a little more milk,
Nutrition
I made this tonight & it was so easy & mighty delicious! Keeper for me!!
I made this today but I used chicken n came out wounderful
This looks amazing! This year we are trying a new recipe every week and this will definitely be one of them. Thanks so much for sharing :)