Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (2024)

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by Stephanie on March 13, 2020 (Updated January 17, 2024)58*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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This Chicken Fried Steak Recipe has a crispy golden breading the most flavorful white gravy. Learn the simple secrets on how to make this restaurant-quality comfort food recipe just like the chefs do!

Be sure to serve this with mysmooth & creamyHomemade Mashed Potatoes and Easy Buttermilk Biscuits or cornbread.

Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken Fried Steak is such a classic comfort food. This is always something I love to order at restaurants, but decided that I was long overdue to learn how to make the bestchicken fried steak at home. Nothing beats a home cooked cube steak!

There are a few easy tricks to getting the perfect crispy, golden brown breading (that won’t fall off when you fry it). The white gravy on top is the classic touch.

This recipe makes a lot of gravy, so feel free to drizzle it all over some creamy mashed potatoes!

How to Make it

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

PRO TIP: Even though cube steak has already been tenderized, I like to tenderize it again by pounding it with a meat tenderizer until it’s thinned out even more. This makes it really soft and easy to chew.

  • Pat the Steaks Completely Dry. Combine buttermilk marinade ingredients in a casserole dish.
  • Add the steaks, cover, and marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours. The longer you marinade, the more tender the meat will be.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (2)

  • Generously coat each steak in the flour mixture one at a time, just before frying.
  • I recommend frying one at a time for the crispiest results. About 4 minutes per side.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (3)

How to Make the Gravy

  • Melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour. Add oil from the pan drippings along with minced garlic, cook for 1 minute.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (4)

  • Add chicken broth and seasonings. Stir to combine.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (5)

  • Add milk and half and half. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, whisking continuously.
  • Let it simmer and thicken until desired consistency is obtained.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (6)

Why Does the Breading Fall off My Chicken Fried Steak?

1. The oil isn’t at the right temperature

  • Adding the steak to the oil before it’s reached 350° will make the breading wet and soggy, it needs to instantly start cooking as soon as it hits the oil so that the breading can crisp right up.
  • Conversely, you don’t want oil that is too hot or it will burn the outside before the inside has a chance to cook. An Instant Read Thermometer is key.

2. It sits in the breading too long before frying

  • Coat each generously in flour right beforeyou fry. If you let them sit too long, the marinade can seep through the flour and cause it to get moist, which creates a soggy breading that can fall off.

3. The pan is overcrowded

  • Fry one steak at a time unless you have a very large pan. If the steaks are too close together it steams the edges, causing the breading to get soggy and easily fall apart.

Why is it Called “Chicken Fried Steak”

This recipe is referred to as chicken fried steakis because the meat is prepared similarly to how fried chicken is made. Unlike the name implies, it is made with cube steak, not chicken.

“Chicken” Fried Steak:

  • This is traditionally served with a white pepper gravy, such as in this recipe.
  • The gravy is sometimes served on the side to allow for the breading to remain extra crispy.

“Country” Fried Steak:

  • This is normally smothered in a brown gravy at the end of cooking to allow for the breading to absorb it.

Although these are the traditional differences, you will see restaurants, (such as Cracker Barrel), serve “Country” fried steak with white gravy.

Buttermilk Substitutes

  • ½ cup milk + 1 ½ cups sour cream
  • 4 tablespoons milk + enough plain yogurt to make 2 cups.
  • 2 tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 10 minutes. It’ll look curdled. Stir to combine.

Tools For This Recipe

(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (7)

What to Serve with Chicken Fried Steak

Homemade Mashed Potatoes
The BEST Cornbread
Buttermilk Biscuits

Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

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Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (14)

Chicken Fried Steak

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Marinade Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

5 from 18 ratings

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This Chicken Fried Steak Recipe has crispy, crunchy golden breading drizzled with mouth watering white gravy. Learn the simple secrets on how to make this restaurant-quality comfort food recipe just like the chefs do!

Ingredients

  • 4 cube steaks, each about 1/3 pound
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil

Buttermilk Marinade

  • 2 cups buttermilk, see notes for substitutions
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoons salt

Breading

  • 1 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup corn starch
  • 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Gravy

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Tablespoons flour
  • 3 Tablespoons pan drippings
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 ½ cup milk
  • ¾ cup half and half

Instructions

Chicken Fried Steak

  • Place saran wrap over each cube steak and use the rough end of a meat tenderizer to pound it thin, about ½ inch thick or so. This really makes a nice difference in the consistency of the meat even though cube steak has already been tenderized.

  • Pat the steaks completely dry. Combine the marinade ingredients in a large casserole dish.

  • Cover and marinate the steaks in the fridge for 1-2 hours, or up to 12. (The longer the better.)

  • Combine breading ingredients. Generously coat each steak just before you fry it.

  • Add enough oil to cover the steak by 1/3 and heat it to 350° F. (Make sure it’s properly preheated or the breading will fall off.)

  • Cook the steaks in batches of 2, leaving room around each. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Use kitchen tongs to carefully check the bottom and flip.

  • Remove and transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow excess oil to drip out from the bottom. This keeps the bottom nice and crispy.

  • Once all the steaks are fried, keep them warm in a 200° F oven while you prepare the gravy.

Gravy

  • Transfer the pan drippings into a small heat-proof bowl. Don’t clean the pan.

  • Allow the black flecks to fall to the bottom and skim 3 tablespoons of clean oil off the top. Set aside.

  • Melt the butter in the same pan over medium heat.

  • Whisk in the flour for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.

  • Add the oil drippings and minced garlic. cook for 1 minute.

  • Add the seasonings, and then the chicken broth in splashes, stirring continuously.

  • Add milk and half and half in splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.

  • Let it simmer and thicken until desired consistency is obtained.

Notes

Buttermilk Substitutes

  • ½ cup milk + 1 ½ cups sour cream
  • 4 tablespoons milk + enough plain yogurt to make 2 cups.
  • 2 tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to make 2 cups. Let sit for 10 minutes. It'll look curdled. Stir to combine.

Pro Tips:

Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 42g, Fat: 49g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 185mg, Sodium: 739mg, Potassium: 789mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 836IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 206mg, Iron: 4mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

Beef Recipes Chicken Recipes Dinner Freezer Food

posted by Stephanie on March 13, 2020 — 58 Comments »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

58 comments on “Chicken Fried Steak Recipe”

  1. Laty March 4, 2024 @ 8:03 pm Reply

    Why have a recipe you can’t print out!!!!!

    • Stephanie March 5, 2024 @ 8:05 am Reply

      You can! Hit the print recipe button at the bottom of the post in the recipe card section.

  2. Brian January 17, 2024 @ 8:43 am Reply

    I prepared the meat and began marinating it in the evening using the vinegar/milk substitute. I attempted to cook the next evening. Unfortunately, all the meat had practically denatured and reduced to mush. What did I do wrong? I’m willing to give it another shot. Thanks for the recipe.

    • Stephanie January 17, 2024 @ 10:06 am Reply

      Hi Brian! 24 hours is a bit too long, if it had been cooked the next morning, that would have been perfect. I’ll add a more specific timeframe instead of just saying “overnight”. ❤️

  3. Amber January 11, 2024 @ 12:59 pm Reply

    Amazing! I have made this several times and it turns out great every time! In fact I’m making it again tonight! Thank you, thank you!

    • Stephanie January 11, 2024 @ 1:32 pm Reply

      I am sooo happy to hear that Amber, thank you soooo much for the review, I really appreciate it!! 🙂 -Stephanie ❤️

  4. J. Darby October 31, 2023 @ 7:31 pm Reply

    Chicken fried recipe is the best yet. After tenderizing thinly sliced round steak I seasoned it before adding to the marinade. Also the meat was fried at 325FJ

    • Stephanie October 31, 2023 @ 8:10 pm Reply

      Sounds like you nailed it, nice work! Can’t beat a perfectly cooked chicken fried steak. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!🩷

  5. Shaheen October 25, 2023 @ 12:34 pm Reply

    My recent experience was nothing short of excellent, and it left me looking forward to the next opportunity to savor this classic dish.

    • Stephanie October 25, 2023 @ 8:29 pm Reply

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks so much for the great comments!💖

  6. Danielle June 20, 2023 @ 7:27 pm Reply

    This was delicious! The tip to let the meat sit in buttermilk was a game changer for me. The steak was so tender and absolutely the best CFS I have ever had! What a great recipe! Read all the tips and make this! It’s amazing. Family loved it!

    • Stephanie June 20, 2023 @ 9:25 pm Reply

      I’m so happy the family liked it Danielle! I’m extra happy to hear you found the tips helpful, nice work! Thanks so much for the great review!💖

  7. Brad June 14, 2023 @ 9:19 pm Reply

    That is the best gravy I have ever made! WOW!

    • Stephanie June 15, 2023 @ 11:23 am Reply

      Hi Brad! I am soooo happy to hear that, nicely done! I love this gravy too, it’s so good!!! Thank you so much for the review! -Stephanie

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is chicken-fried steak made from? ›

Chicken fried steak is made most often with cube steak, or steak that has already been tenderized, or a cheap cut like round steak. It was originally created to make a cheap cut of meat taste better. No matter which cut you use, you have to pound it thin with a meat mallet.

How do you keep batter from falling off chicken-fried steak? ›

Another important tip is to place the breaded meat onto a sheet pan, cover and place back in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before frying. This will firmly adhere the breading onto the meat and help keep it from falling of when frying.

What is the difference between country-fried steak and chicken-fried steak? ›

The main difference between country-fried steak and chicken-fried steak is the gravy. Country-fried steak is slathered in brown gravy, whereas chicken-fried steak uses a white, peppery gravy. However, this distinction is not entirely set in stone as different restaurants will serve both with the same gravy.

How to tenderize steak for chicken-fried steak? ›

You can either use egg and a little milk before you dip it in the flour mixture, or just flour your meat by itself. Place enough oil in a PRE HEATED pan to cover the bottom, but you don't need inches of oil. Take your floured cube steak and place it in the pan over medium heat.

What is KFC chicken fried steak made of? ›

Chicken-fried steak, also known as country-fried steak, is an American breaded cutlet dish consisting of a piece of beefsteak (most often tenderized cube steak) coated with seasoned flour and either deep-fried or pan-fried.

Is KFC chicken fried steak beef? ›

For anyone unfamiliar with Chicken Fried Steak, there is no chicken in the meal. It is a beefsteak that is breaded and fried like fried chicken.

Why does my breading fall off my country fried steak? ›

Use hot oil.

If your oil isn't hot enough before you add the steaks, the breading can fall off of the steaks because the eggs (the “glue”) don't cook instantly. It can also cause oily, gummy chicken fried steak because the breading soaks up the oil instead of becoming crispy upon contact.

Why is my chicken fried steak soggy? ›

Don't let steaks touch when frying two at a time; steam develops making the crust soggy. Monitor oil temperature. The secret is cooking quickly. When steaks are added, oil temperature drops.

Why isn't my chicken-fried steak crispy? ›

Cooking Tips

Shake off any excess liquid or flour, and let the steak rest for a few minutes before frying. Use oil that is hot—oil that is not hot enough will decrease your chances of a crispy coating. The breading may absorb the oil and become soggy and greasy.

How unhealthy is country-fried steak? ›

Chicken fried steak is high in calories, fat, and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure. Moreover, the added gravy can further increase the calorie and fat content of the dish, making it a less than ideal choice for those trying to maintain a healthy diet.

How do restaurants make their steaks so tender? ›

Most fine restaurants age their beef to intensify the flavor and improve the tenderness of the cut. Aging is done by letting the meat sit (in very controlled conditions) for several days or weeks.

Does lemon juice tenderize steak? ›

Everyone loves a great marinade to add flavor to chicken, steak, or fish, but did you know it can also help tenderize the meat? Use an acid-based food, like lemon or lime juice, over meat. Only keep this marinade on for two hours because too much time can make the meat too mushy.

What seasoning tenderizes steak? ›

Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. In addition to seasoning the steaks, salt helps break down proteins and make the meat more tender. Liberally salt the steaks up to an hour before cooking, then proceed according to your recipe.

What kind of meat is chicken fried steak in America? ›

Yes, chicken fried steak is considered an American dish, and it has roots in Southern cuisine. The dish typically consists of a breaded and fried cube steak (tenderized beef) served with creamy country-style gravy. Despite its name, chicken fried steak does not contain chicken; rather, it is prepared using beef.

Is chicken fried steak made from round steak? ›

A plate of cube steak, which is tenderized round steak that's been extra tenderized. You could also just use tenderized round steak. You could also buy regular round steak and beat it to smithereens with a tenderizer. You need a dish with milk and eggs…

What part of the cow does country-fried steak come from? ›

Chicken Fried Steak (CFS for short) is thinly pounded out beef. People typically use the less expensive, less desirable cuts, such as cube steak, chuck, round steak, and occasionally flank steak.

What part of the cow is the frying steak? ›

Frying steak is taken from the thick flank, sometimes known as 'the round. ' This cut contains several different muscles. Because they're lean, with little marbling, round steaks os Sizzle Steaks deliver the most tender and tasty result when cooked using moist, slow methods.

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