Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe: Southern Comfort Magic

My grandma’s secret crispy chicken fried steak recipe has been passed down through generations of Texas home cooks.

She learned this delectable dish from her mother, who mastered Southern comfort cooking.

Tender beef cutlets get a golden, crunchy exterior that crackles with each bite.

Southern kitchens know how to transform simple ingredients into magical meals.

Every forkful delivers a satisfying crunch that makes mouths water instantly.

Regional spices and a perfectly seasoned breading create an irresistible flavor profile.

Crispy Chicken Fried Steak That Satisfies Cravings

• Fool-Proof Technique: Delivers restaurant-quality results with straightforward breading method that guarantees a perfectly crunchy exterior and tender meat every single time.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Offers classic southern-style dish that appeals to all ages, making it an ideal crowd-pleaser for casual dinners or weekend gatherings.
• Customizable Comfort: Allows easy seasoning adjustments in flour mixture and gravy, letting home cooks personalize flavors while maintaining the traditional recipe's delicious core.

Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Essentials

• Cube Steak: Super tender beef cut perfect for frying, best when fresh and well-marbled.

• Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Crucial dry mix for creating crispy golden exterior with deep flavor layers.
• Buttermilk, Eggs: Helps breading stick and creates rich, tender coating with extra crunch.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides medium-high heat for achieving crispy golden-brown texture, neutral flavor recommended.

• Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth cream sauce.
• Milk: Provides creamy base for classic southern-style gravy.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall gravy flavor and seasoning.

Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Station

Get your kitchen ready by setting up a wire rack over a baking sheet.

Warm the oven to keep your crispy steaks toasty.

Pull out a large skillet and pour in enough oil to create a shallow frying pool.

Step 2: Season Meat Generously

Sprinkle cube steaks with salt and black pepper.

Let the seasonings sink into the meat for a few moments.

This helps create a flavor explosion in every bite.

Step 3: Create Breading Station

Grab two mixing bowls.

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

In the second bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Coat Steaks Like a Pro

Dunk each steak into the flour mixture, pressing firmly to create a thick coating.

Next, dive into the egg wash, letting excess drip off.

Return to the flour for a final crispy layer.

Step 5: Sizzle to Golden Perfection

Heat oil until it dances with tiny bubbles.

Carefully slide steaks into the hot oil.

Fry each side for about 5 minutes, using a spoon to pour hot oil over the top.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 6: Whip Up Dreamy Cream Gravy

Keep those delicious pan drippings.

Sprinkle in flour and whisk like crazy.

Slowly pour in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumpy gravy.

Season with salt and pepper until it’s silky smooth.

Step 7: Plate and Celebrate

Transfer crispy steaks to plates.

Generously drench with warm gravy.

Pair with creamy mashed potatoes or your favorite Southern sides.

Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance!

Chicken Fried Steak Pan-Frying Advice

• Press flour mixture firmly into the steak to create a thick, even coating that helps achieve maximum crispiness and prevents breading from falling off during frying.
• Maintain medium heat and test oil readiness by sprinkling flour—the right temperature ensures golden-brown exterior without burning the breading.
• Allow excess egg mixture to drip off before second flour coating, which helps create a sturdy, crunchy breading that adheres perfectly to the meat.
• Use preheated oven with wire rack to keep fried steaks crisp and warm while cooking remaining batches, preventing soggy texture and maintaining ideal serving temperature.
• Whisk milk slowly and continuously into flour drippings to prevent lumps, creating smooth, velvety cream gravy that complements the crispy chicken fried steak.

Bring Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Back Without Drying It

• Store leftover chicken fried steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap each piece separately in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain crispiness and prevent moisture.
• Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator to preserve texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place steaks on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help retain crispiness. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Store cream gravy separately in a sealed container. Reheat gently on stovetop, whisking occasionally to prevent separation and maintain smooth consistency.

Hearty Bites With Chicken Fried Steak

• Flavor-Boosting Beverage Pairing: Crisp, cold lager or amber ale cuts through the richness of the fried steak, refreshing your palate with each sip and complementing the crispy, savory breading.
• Regional Side Kick: Creamy coleslaw adds a tangy, cool crunch that balances the hot, crispy meat, providing a refreshing contrast to the heavy main dish.
• Hearty Companion Dish: Fluffy buttermilk mashed potatoes soak up the delicious cream gravy, creating the ultimate comfort food combination that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Flavor-Enhancing Condiment: Spicy pickled jalapeños or homemade pepper relish can brighten the dish, cutting through the richness and adding a zesty kick that elevates the entire meal.

Chicken Fried Steak Crust Tweaks

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use cornstarch for extra crispiness. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for coating to maintain texture.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap cube steak with thick-cut portobello mushrooms or plant-based steak substitutes. Use vegetable milk and egg replacer to maintain similar breading technique.
• Low-Carb Option: Use almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of wheat flour for coating. Substitute buttermilk with heavy cream and replace traditional sides with roasted cauliflower or zucchini.
• Spicy Southwestern Adaptation: Add chipotle powder and cayenne to the flour mixture. Mix jalapeños into the cream gravy for extra heat. Serve with cilantro-lime rice for a bold flavor profile.

FAQs

• What type of meat works best for chicken fried steak?

Cube steak is the traditional and ideal cut for this recipe. It’s a tenderized cut of beef, typically from top round or top sirloin, that’s already mechanically tenderized to break down tough muscle fibers.

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

Double-coating creates an extra crispy, thick breading that helps seal in moisture and provides a crunchier texture. The first coat helps the egg mixture stick, while the second coat ensures a more substantial and golden-brown crust.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Use a blend that contains xanthan gum for better binding, or add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help the breading stick.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use the flour test: sprinkle a pinch of flour into the oil. If it sizzles immediately and bubbles form, the oil is ready. The ideal frying temperature is around 350°F to 375°F for perfect golden-brown breading.

Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling “crispy chicken fried steak” delivers Southern comfort on a plate, packed with golden crunch and hearty flavor. Generous country-style gravy and perfectly seasoned meat promise a nostalgic culinary journey home cooking enthusiasts will savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds cube steak (4 patties)

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt

Liquid and Frying Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Cream Gravy Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup oil and drippings
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to a gentle 200°F and positioning a wire rack over a baking sheet. Position a large skillet and fill with oil to create a shallow frying environment.
2. Generously season cube steaks with salt and pepper, allowing the seasoning to penetrate for a brief 10-minute interval.
3. Create two distinct preparation stations: one bowl for a complex seasoned flour mixture incorporating paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, and a second bowl blending buttermilk with eggs.
4. Meticulously coat each steak by first dredging through the spiced flour, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage. Transition the steak into the egg wash, allowing excess liquid to drip away, then return to the flour mixture for a secondary coating.
5. Activate the oil over medium heat, verifying temperature by testing with a sprinkle of flour that should immediately sizzle upon contact.
6. Carefully lower steaks into the hot oil, frying individually to maintain optimal temperature. Cook approximately 5 minutes per side, periodically spooning hot oil over the surface to enhance crispiness.
7. Transfer golden-brown steaks to the wire-racked baking sheet in the warm oven, maintaining their ideal temperature and texture.
8. Utilize the same skillet’s remaining drippings to craft a luxurious cream gravy. Incorporate flour and whisk continuously, gradually introducing milk while preventing luminal formations.
9. Season the gravy with salt and pepper, stirring until achieving a rich, smooth consistency.
10. Present the crispy chicken fried steak adorned with the velvety gravy, accompanied by complementary side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Tenderize the cube steak by pounding it gently with a meat mallet to break down tough muscle fibers and ensure a more tender bite.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for optimal heat distribution and crispier breading that stays perfectly golden and crunchy.
• Choose full-fat buttermilk for a more authentic flavor and better coating adhesion, creating a richer and more flavorful crust.
• Allow the breaded steaks to rest for a few minutes before frying to help the coating stick better and prevent it from falling off during cooking.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a mixture of rice flour and cornstarch to maintain the crispy texture.
• Control oil temperature around 350°F to prevent greasy results and ensure a crisp, golden-brown exterior without burning the breading.
• Pat the steaks dry before seasoning to help the flour mixture adhere more effectively and create a crunchier coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg