Here’s a classic Chicken-Fried Steak recipe—a Southern favorite with a crispy, seasoned crust and creamy gravy.
🥩 Chicken-Fried Steak
Ingredients (serves 4)
For the Steak
- 4 tenderized cube steaks (about ½ inch thick)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Gravy
- 2 tbsp drippings or butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Coating
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In another dish, whisk eggs and milk.
2. Coat the Steaks
- Dip each steak first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, then again in the flour mixture for a double coating.
- Press gently to adhere.
3. Fry the Steaks
- Heat ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry steaks 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Make the Gravy
- Remove all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from the skillet.
- Stir in 2 tbsp flour, cooking 1–2 minutes until lightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve
- Place chicken-fried steaks on plates and pour gravy over the top.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or your favorite sides.
💡 Tips
- Use cube steak or tenderized round steak for best results.
- Fry in batches to avoid crowding the pan.
- For extra flavor, season the flour and gravy with a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.
If you want, I can also give a baked version of chicken-fried steak that’s lower in fat but still crispy and delicious.
