Leave it to Texans to take beef to the next level. Chicken Fried Steak is at the tippy top of the Southern comfort food hierarchy, and for good reason. Tender cube steaks, breaded and fried to golden perfection, topped with creamy Country Gravy, and served alongside a heaping pile of buttery Mashed Potatoes are fairly irresistible.
This is the Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak Recipe. Perfectly seasoned and boasting the ideal beef to batter ratio. A budget-friendly, quick-fix dinner the entire family will love!
WHAT IS CHICKEN FRIED STEAK MADE OF?
Just like fried chicken, Chicken Fried Steak (also known as Country Fried Steak) is made using the same process as fried chicken -- hence the "chicken fried" portion of the name. To make this dish you'll need tenderized cube steaks, a dredge, and oil for frying. If you want to stretch your cube steaks a little further, you can cut them into strips and make handheld, perfectly dippable Steak Fingers!
CHICKEN FRIED STEAK MEAT
The cut of meat used for Chicken Fried Steaks is packaged and labeled as cube steak. Cube steaks come from a much larger cut of beef called beef chuck.
Beef chuck hails from the neck and shoulder area of the cow. Because this is an area that gets a lot of action, beef chuck is a fairly tough cut of meat. Because of this, the beef chuck is cut into thin slices and tenderized. Thinly sliced, tenderized pieces of beef chuck are cube steaks.
CHICKEN FRIED STEAK BATTER
Chicken Fried Steak batter is very similar to fried chicken batter, and undergoes a dredging process before going into the oil. You'll start with seasoned flour and a milk and egg mixture.
For an extra crunchy breading, add crushed Saltine crackers to the dry mix! The crushed saltines give the batter an easy upgrade in the crust department, making it extra crunchy and completely addictive.
CHICKEN FRIED STEAK GRAVY
Chicken Fried Steak Gravy is also known as White Country Gravy or Country Gravy. It starts with a roux, but don't let that word scare you off. A roux is just a combination of butter and flour cooked together on the stovetop. You’ll also need milk, salt, and pepper.
The gravy is extremely easy to make: Melt the butter, whisk in the flour, add warmed milk a splash at a time, and allow the mixture to simmer. Once it has thickened, add the seasoning and serve!
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
- Prep and Season the Steaks - Pat the excess moisture from the steaks using a paper towel. Sprinkle evenly with Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Assemble Dredging Station - You will need 3 breading trays, shallow dishes or bowls for your dredging station. The first tray will consist of a simple seasoned flour -- flour, salt, and pepper. The second tray will milk, eggs, and a dash of hot sauce. Lastly, the third tray will consist of seasoned flour, as well as finely crushed Saltine crackers.
- Heat the Oil - For the perfect Chicken Fried Steak batter, it's important that your oil is at the right temperature before adding your steaks. Add the canola oil to a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, and allow to come to temperature (350°-375°).
- Bread the Steaks - One at a time, dredge the steaks in the seasoned flour, then submerge in the egg mixture, followed by a thorough coating in the cracker mixture.
- Fry - Add the steaks to the hot oil, and take care not to crowd the skillet. Fry for 2 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden on each side. Then, transfer to a cooling rack over paper towels.
- Make the Gravy - In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Then, add milk a generous splash at a time, whisking after each addition until all of the milk has been incorporated. Allow the sauce to bubble for about 5 minutes.
TIPS FOR MAKING CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
- Don't leave all the seasoning to the breading! Show a little love to those cube steaks as well! Season the meat before you begin the dredging process.
- Use finely crushed Saltine Crackers in your batter for extra crunch and flavor!
- Use a thermometer to ensure your oil is between 350° and 375° before adding your steaks to the pan. You could use a candy thermometer, a digital thermometer, or (our favorite) an infrared thermometer!
- Nothing beats cast iron for even heat distribution, which is ideal for frying! The cast iron will ensure your oil stays as close to a constant temperature as it can get. Use a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven for heating your oil and frying your Chicken Fried Steak!
- Rather than placing your meat directly from the oil to a plate lined with a paper towel, place them on a cooling rack instead. The cooling rack will keep your breading from getting soggy while you make the gravy.
- For a smooth and creamy Chicken Fried Steak Gravy, make sure you warm the milk before splashing it into the roux!
Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy
Ingredients
Chicken Fried Steaks Ingredients
- 2 pounds tenderized cube steaks
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, separated
- 3 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt, separated
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, separated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- 16 Saltine crackers, crushed
- 2 cups canola oil
Country Gravy Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk preferably warmed
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
For the Chicken Fried Steaks
- Pat the excess moisture from the steaks using a paper towel. Sprinkle evenly with 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder. Pat to adhere and set aside.
- Prepare your dredging station by setting out 3 rimmed trays or pie plates. In the first tray, mix together 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and a ½ teaspoon pepper. In the second tray, lightly whisk together eggs, milk, and hot sauce. For the third tray, combine 1 ½ cup flour, finely crushed saltine crackers, ½ teaspoon salt, and a ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Add the canola oil to a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, and allow to come to temperature (350°-375°). Have ready a large rimmed baking sheet, lined with paper towels. Place a cooling rack over the paper towels.
- One at a time, dredge the steaks in the seasoned flour, then submerge in the egg mixture, followed by a thorough coating in the cracker mixture.
- Add the steaks to the hot oil, taking care not to crowd the skillet. Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden-brown. Transfer to the cooling rack and make the gravy.
For the Country Gravy
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until combined. Allow to bubble for 1-2 minutes, but do not allow to brown.
- Add milk a generous splash at a time, whisking after each addition until all of the milk has been incorporated. Allow the sauce to bubble for 5-7 minutes, just until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Marlee says
Chicken Fried Steak gives me the feel goods! I love this!
Gloria says
I have NEVER tried chicken fried steak. What an interesting concept. I know for sure this would be a crowd pleaser for dinner. I will have to give this a try next time we have all the kids home for dinner.
Vanessa says
When I first moved to the US, I had no idea what Chicken Fried Steak was! My co-workers were laughing when I asked all confused "it's fried chicken but beef? huh? explain again please?" Presently, it is one of my favorite foods to eat! Thanks for the informative narrative and recipe. It looks delicious!
Dikla Fances says
I never tried Chicken Fried Steaks and was sure it is chicken....lol!
It looks so crispy and good! great idea for midweek dinner question! You made it seem very easy hope I can deliver! 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
I've no doubt you can! Thank you, Dikla!
Michelle says
MMMMM the kids love chicken fried steak, I am going to have to make this for them this weekend!
Amanda says
That breading looks absolutely perfect! It's been way too long since I've had a good chicken fried steak. I'll definitely have to try this recipe ASAP.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Amanda!
Stine Mari says
You painted a beautiful picture of what a Texan is, I loved it! And that chicken looks amazing!
Stacy Streuli says
this Fort Worth native is always down for a good CFS! I gain about 10 lbs every time I head back to Texas 😉
Kelly Anthony says
Ha! I'm always down for Chicken Fried Steak as well 😉
Tara says
It looks so crispy! What a great idea to use crushed saltines in the breading - that's not something I've seen before. I bet it adds that extra crunch!
Kelly Anthony says
It really does! Thank you so much, Tara!
Linda says
Oh yum! I can see why this is the best chicken fried steak! My hubs is a huge fan of this dish and I can't wait to try this recipe from a true Texan 🙂
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Indeed this is pure comfort all my favorites in one bite. Texan food is so good. I love the idea of using the cheese too. I am a cheese lover so pretty much I will need to make this asap. My family will love it!
Jacqueline Debono says
Not being from US, I did think that this was a recipe for chicken when I read the title!Sounds so good. Have never breaded steak. Have to try it!
Stephanie Simmons says
I absolutely love fried chicken! This sounds perfect as we get into the fall weather - for some reason I just crave fried chicken in the fall! 🙂
Chef Mireille says
I'll never forget the first time I had chicken fried steak at a southern style restaurant when I was attending college in Albuquerque - this is bringing me back to so many memories there!
Kate says
Saltine crackers sound perfect for these chicken fried steaks! I love the thought of them with country gravy.
Claudia Lamascolo says
Well doesnt this make anyones mouth water! Wow what awesome looking fried steak!
Lauren Vavala @ Delicious Little Bites says
My fiance and I were just talking about what exactly chicken fried steak is - neither of us knew, but I want to try it! Just came across this recipe and bookmarking it for SOON!
Kelly Anthony says
Oh yay! Ha! Perfect timing 🙂 Love that!!!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I've never had chicken fried steak before. I've heard of it, but never tasted it -- but it looks like it would be the ultimate comfort food. I'm gonna have to save up my calories for this one! Getting out my cast iron skillet!
Amy | The Cook Report says
Can't believe how wonderfully crispy this looks!
dee says
My family loves chicken fried steak but I alway manage to make it taste like rubber....so happy I found this awesome post!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Kelly Anthony says
Oh yay! Thanks, Dee!
Lesli Schwartz says
Can you believe I live in the south and still have never had a chicken fried steak? That's insane! Will have to make this homemade, I'm sure it's better than anything in a restaurant! 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
Shocked! Oh, yes -- you definitely need to try! It's such a treat. Thank you, Lesli 🙂
Gloria says
Looks like one super crispy chicken dinner. So much better than KFC!! I know my family would devour this in a flash.
Sophia says
Oh my gosh, this looks sooo good!! What a classic recipe, and the steaks are fried perfectly! Yum!!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Sophia!
Stine Mari says
I have never tried chicken fried steak before, but it looks so crispy and delicious! Comfort food at its finest!
Danielle Wolter says
I am from texas and love me a chicken fried steak. i live in CA now and it is so hard to find it in restaurants! I def need to start making it at home. great recipe!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Danielle!
Byron Thomas says
I've never tried chicken fried steak before. I think it's predominately a southern American dish. Here in Canada, it's not something that is easy to find. It's absolutely something I would try to make at home though! I think I'd quite enjoy it!
Kacie Morgan says
I'm always looking for new ways to get creative with chicken and this recipe has really taken my fancy! The crispy batter around the chicken looks so inviting.
Geetanjali Tung says
The fried sticks look crispy and absolutely yummy. Me and my family love chicken so much. This will be definitely loved by them. Thanks for sharing!
Celeste says
This Chicken Fried Steak recipe takes me back to my childhood. I can remember having it for dinner with my family. This looks crispy and delicious.
Kelly Anthony says
Aw, I love that! Thank you, Celeste!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
The first time I had chicken fried steak I was hooked! I like the crispy texture and all of the flavor from the meat. I love a little gravy for dipping as well.
Jori says
Yum! I love chicken fried steak. My husband is from The South and he introduced me to them. Your recipe looks so simple and delicious. I'll have to taste test this with him 🙂
April says
That gravy is usually working miracles for me! Especially when we are talking about chicken (yes, I said it!). This chicken fried steak recipe seems perfect - everything is just the way I like it!
Mimi says
Bread cube steaks sound amazing! I think this recipe will work great for my party next week. Loving the texture and can only imagine the taste - it must be incredible!
Lathiya says
The chicken fried steak is a must in my to do list now..it looks finger licking good...I love fried chicken and book marking this recipe
Maman de sara says
I live in Texas and I have never tried Chicken fried steak (I thought it’s chicken though). That looks crispy and yummy.
Kari Heron says
I see why it's called chicken fried steak... it LOOKS like chicken when its done! Like I had to read to know it was beef under that batter! Must be yummy and moist! Texans definitely do American soul food well. Been spending my last two summers in Texas and will be back for a third this year.
Geoffrey says
WOW that fried coating on there looks soooo delicious. I can't wait to make this and sink my teeth into that piece of meat
ilona says
I always remember chicken steak from the restaurant that I went long time ago. Such a delicious dinner, I should make it someday!
Stephanie says
I'm all about comfort food but I've never had chicken fried steak... Didn't know what it was till now. But I'm sure it has to be tasty fried in the cast iron skillet.
Sharon says
One of my favorite comfort food dishes. I love how easy this is to make, looks so good!
Tisha says
This is calling my name! I am a huge comfort food eater and this is my favorite!