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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Generously season cube steaks with salt and pepper, allowing the seasoning to penetrate for a brief 10-minute interval.
- 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.
- 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.
- Activate the oil over medium heat, verifying temperature by testing with a sprinkle of flour that should immediately sizzle upon contact.
- 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.
- Transfer golden-brown steaks to the wire-racked baking sheet in the warm oven, maintaining their ideal temperature and texture.
- 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.
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper, stirring until achieving a rich, smooth consistency.
- 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