The Coziest Chicken Fried Steak Recipe for Family Dinners

When hunger strikes with a southern comfort craving, this mouthwatering chicken fried steak recipe delivers pure deliciousness.

The crispy golden exterior gives way to tender, juicy beef that melts in your mouth.

Ranch-style kitchens across Texas have perfected this classic comfort dish over generations.

Every bite promises a satisfying crunch and rich, savory flavor that speaks to traditional home cooking.

Generations of home cooks have mastered this technique, passing down secrets from one skillet to another.

Buttermilk and seasoned flour create the perfect coating that transforms an ordinary cut of beef into a legendary meal.

You’ll want to serve this alongside creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans for a complete southern feast.

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Ingredient Checklist for Chicken Fried Steak

• Cube Steaks: Tender beef cuts perfect for creating a crispy, golden-brown chicken fried steak.

• All-Purpose Flour, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Dry ingredients that create a flavorful and crunchy exterior for the steak.
• Eggs, Milk: Liquid mixture that helps the flour coating adhere to the meat and creates a rich, crispy texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the perfect medium for frying the steak to a crispy golden brown.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and depth to the gravy.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy gravy base.

Steps for Cooking Chicken Fried Steak at Home

Step 1: Prep Seasoning Station

Set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix flour with spices.

In the second, whisk eggs and milk together. This will be your coating assembly line for the steaks.

• Flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Eggs
• Milk

Step 2: Coat Steaks with Flavor

Sprinkle salt and pepper directly onto cube steaks. Dunk each steak into the flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Next, dip the floured steak into the egg wash, then roll it again in the seasoned flour for an extra crispy exterior.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet, creating a half-inch deep pool.

Bring the oil to medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer slightly.

Step 4: Fry Golden Steaks

Carefully place steaks into the hot oil, working in batches of 2-3.

Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and develop a crunchy crust.

Step 5: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer the fried steaks onto a paper towel-lined plate.

This helps absorb any extra oil and keeps the coating crisp.

Step 6: Create Creamy Gravy

Use the same skillet with remaining oil.

Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk to create a roux.

Slowly pour in milk, continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Allow the gravy to thicken for 3-5 minutes.

Step 7: Finish Gravy

Add heavy cream for extra richness. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Plate and Serve

Place the crispy fried steaks on plates and generously pour the warm, creamy gravy over the top.

Serve immediately while everything is hot and delicious.

Notes for Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Lovers

• Select cube steaks or tenderized beef to ensure a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes the chicken fried steak extra delicious.
• Dredge the steaks twice in flour mixture for an extra thick, golden-brown crust that stays crispy and provides maximum crunch.
• Maintain medium-high heat around 350°F to prevent burning and achieve a perfectly crisp exterior without greasy results.
• Always place fried steaks on paper towels to absorb additional oil and keep the coating wonderfully crisp and not soggy.
• Stir constantly when adding milk to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy gravy that complements the crispy steak perfectly.

Tasty Styles for Chicken Fried Steak Fans

• Gluten-Free Chicken Fried Steak: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use cornstarch as a coating alternative for extra crispiness.
• Healthier Baked Version: Skip deep-frying and instead oven-bake the steaks on a wire rack at 425°F. Spray with olive oil cooking spray for a crispy exterior without excess oil.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Substitute cube steaks with large portobello mushrooms or thick-cut cauliflower steaks. Use the same breading technique for a plant-based version that mimics the classic texture.

What to Eat With Chicken Fried Steak Dinner

• Pair with Crisp Lager: Refresh your palate with a cold, light lager that cuts through the rich, crispy breading and balances the heavy gravy, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
• Match with Creamy Coleslaw: Introduce a tangy, crunchy side that provides a cool contrast to the hot, crispy steak, adding a zesty and refreshing element to your meal.
• Complement with Buttery Mashed Potatoes: Create a classic comfort food combination where the smooth, creamy potatoes soak up the delicious gravy, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Serve with Southern-Style Green Beans: Add a light, slightly seasoned vegetable side that provides a healthier balance to the indulgent chicken fried steak, rounding out the plate with a touch of green.

Storing Chicken Fried Steak for Later Meals

• Store chicken fried steak in an airtight container, separating steaks with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual steaks tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place steak on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking crispiness. Stop heating when warmed through to prevent toughness.

FAQs

• What type of steak is best for chicken fried steak?

Cube steak is the traditional cut used for this dish. It’s a tenderized beef cut that’s thin and perfect for breading and frying, ensuring a crispy exterior and tender interior.

• Why do I need to double-coat the steak in flour?

Double-coating creates a thicker, crunchier breading that seals in moisture and gives the chicken fried steak its signature crispy texture. The egg wash helps the flour adhere better to the meat.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend is suitable for breading and has a similar consistency to all-purpose flour.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Southern Chicken Fried Steak celebrates comfort cuisine with crispy golden breading and rich country gravy. Meat lovers will savor this classic Texas-style dish that delivers pure home-cooked satisfaction you can’t resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 beef cube steaks (about 4 ounces/113 grams each)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Coating Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Seasoning:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare seasoning blend by mixing flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
2. Create egg wash by whisking eggs and milk in a separate shallow dish.
3. Thoroughly season cube steaks with salt and pepper on both surfaces.
4. Coat each steak completely in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring full coverage.
5. Dunk the floured steak into egg wash, then re-coat with flour for extra crispy exterior.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F, maintaining medium-high temperature.
7. Carefully place steaks into hot oil, cooking 2-3 pieces simultaneously.
8. Fry steaks for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a deep golden-brown crust.
9. Transfer fried steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
10. Reduce skillet heat to medium and sprinkle flour into remaining oil to create a roux.
11. Whisk flour and oil for one minute to develop flavor and eliminate raw flour taste.
12. Slowly pour milk into roux, continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming.
13. Simmer gravy for 3-5 minutes until reaching desired thickness, stirring consistently.
14. Enhance gravy with heavy cream for richness and additional depth of flavor.
15. Season gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
16. Plate steaks and generously drizzle with warm, creamy gravy before serving.

Notes

• Use room temperature steaks to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• Double-coating creates an extra crunchy, golden-brown breading that locks in moisture.
• Let the steaks rest after coating to help the breading adhere better during frying.
• Control oil temperature around 350°F for perfect crispiness without burning.
• Pat steaks dry before seasoning to help flour mixture stick more effectively.
• Choose lean cube steaks for a tender, less greasy result.
• Allow excess oil to drain completely to prevent soggy breading.
• Substitute buttermilk for regular milk in egg wash for tangier flavor and more tender meat.
• For gluten-free version, use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend instead of wheat flour.
• Rest cooked steaks briefly to redistribute juices and maintain maximum tenderness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg