Easy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

PerfectEasy Chicken Fried Steak Recipewith Gravy… CrispyOklahoma-styleCountry Fried Steak with thick white peppery gravy! It’s a classicdiner recipeyou have to try at home.

Chicken Fried Steak Origins

Although I’ve lived in North Carolina for the last eighteen years, I grew up in Oklahoma… The land of massive crispyunapologeticChicken Fried Steak dinners.

Chicken Fried Steak is considered common southern fare. However, it is a sacred dish to some that originated in the Texas-Oklahoma region.

Although many people believe it was invented in Texas (Ahem, like Texans) others (Such as Okies) say it was born in an Oklahoma diner along Route 66.

Either way, it is commonly understood that the idea of Chicken Fried Steak was brought to the Texas-Oklahoma prairies by German immigrants in the form of classic Schnitzel.

Is There a Difference Between Country Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Steak?

Yes, there is a small difference between Country Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Steak, but it has nothing to do with the steak itself. And the difference is a little misleading…

Country Fried Steak is usually served with brown gravy, made with meat drippings.

However, Chicken Fried Steaks are served with white gravy made with milk… The kind of gravy that is usually calledCountry Gravy.

See what I mean about misleading?

The Best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe with Gravy

So what makes this recipe perfect? In my humble opinion, this is the best chicken fried steak we’ve ever made because:

• The steak is extra thin
• The crust is extra crispy
• The crust is well-seasoned
• And the country gravy is on point!

How To Make Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Ingredients

• 3 pounds tenderized cube steak (8 pieces)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons cajun seasoning
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 cups whole milk, divided
• 4 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 tablespoons butter
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Oil for frying

Easy Chicken Fried Steak Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pat the cube steak thoroughly dry with paper towels. Then gently stretch the steaks to make them thinner, or better yet, using a meat tenderizing hammer to pound the steaks extra thin. Be sure not to pull or pound so hard that they break. Try to reach 1/4 inch consistency throughout each steak.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, Cajun seasoning, and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cup milk, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Dip the steaks into the flour mixture. Shake them off, then dunk the steaks in the egg mixture. Shake off the drippings, then dunk back in the flour mixture. Shake off all excess flour. (Flour that falls off into the oil will burn and turn the oil dark.) Allow them to rest on a cutting board while the oil heats.
4. Place a large skillet/cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to fill the skillet 1/4 inch deep. Once the oil in the pan is between 350-375 degrees F, gently place/flip half the steaks in the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes per side until they are golden brown. Use tongs to move the steaks to a paper towel-lined plate. Add additional oil to the skillet if needed, and repeat with the remaining steaks. Place the finished steaks in the oven to keep warm.
5. Once all the steaks are fried, carefully pour the oil into a tin can for disposal. Then wipe the skillet out with a paper towel. Place it back over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, whisk in 1/3 cup of the remaining seasoned flour. Whisk until bubbling, then whisk in 2 3/4 cups of milk. Continue to whisk the gravy until it is thick. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the gravy from heat. If the gravy starts to thicken too much, whisk in an additional 1/2 cup of milk.
6. Serve the steaks warm with gravy over the top.

Get the FULL (Printable) Easy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe with Gravy Below!

How Do You Keep Breading on Chicken Fried Steak?

Although country fried steaks can be made with both a liquid batter coating, or with a dried flour-based breading, the triple dip flour-egg-flour method dredge works best for keeping the breading on the cube steaks.

Some cooks believe you can get a crispier crust with batter. However, we’ve found that as long as:

• The steaks are dry before breading
• You shake off the excess liquid and flour
• You let them rest for a few minutes before going into the fry pan
• And the oil is hot

…You will create ultra crispy Chicken Fried Steak every single time.

Country Fried Steak Tips

Don’t forget to keep the finished steaks warm in the oven until you are ready to serve them, so the crust stays crispy.

I love this Country Fried Steak recipe, because it reminds me of my childhood.

Serve it withmashed potatoes,fried okra, andblack-eyed peas, andcornbreadfor a true Okie feast! Also, check out our AMAZINGSteak Fingers with Country Gravyrecipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this recipe last?

If you keep them in an airtight container you can store these steaks in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Can I freeze the leftover steaks?

Yes, you can! Wrap them individually with plastic wrap and then again with foil and store them in a ziplock bag for up to 3 to 4 months. Then reheat in a 350 degree F oven until crispy.

Other Great Dinner Recipes

• Chicken Vesuvio (Italian Baked Chicken and Potatoes)
• One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
• Mind-Blowing Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
• Retro Taco Pizza (Layered Taco Dip)
• Oven Roasted Potatoes and Carrots with Herbs Recipe
• Pimento Grilled Cheese Recipe with Fried Green Tomatoes
• Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie (with Biscuit Topping!)
• Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast (sh*t on a Shingle)
• Mujadara Lentils and Rice (Lebanese Rice)
• Harvest Salad (Cobb Style) Recipe
• Italian Chicken Cutlets (Baked or Pan-Fried Chicken)
• Best Grilled Vegetable Marinade
• Buttermilk Chicken Tendersby Little Sunny Kitchen

Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, protein, cholesterol, sodium, and fiber percentages.