Name: Simple Chicken Fried Steak Recipe With Gravy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cubed steaks ((about 1 pound total)); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 2 eggs; ½ cup milk ((whole milk recommended)); 2 tablespoons sour cream; Oil for frying ((about a quart)); 4 tablespoons butter OR oil from the frying pan ((I prefer using butter as it will be a thicker sauce and sometimes the cooking oil tastes a little old after frying the steaks.)); 4 tablespoons flour; 1 ½ to 2 cups milk

Thischicken fried steak recipedelivers that perfect crispy crust and tender meat you remember from your favorite diner. The rich, peppery gravy will cover everything on your plate.

Now, if you’re wondering,“Wait, is that chicken or steak?”you’re not alone! Despite its name, this dish is all abouttender steak coated in a crispy batter, similar to fried chicken, and it’s downright delicious.

A plate of chicken fried steak, crafted from a timeless chicken fried steak recipe, is lavishly covered in white gravy and served with a generous portion of mashed potatoes. The dish is elegantly arranged on a light gray plate, with a red and white checkered cloth peeking from the background.

When it comes to comfort foods, very few dishes can rival the heartiness and satisfaction of chicken fried steak. This classic Southern recipe has won the hearts and palates of many people all around the world.

Tenderized beef cutlets are dipped in aseasoned flour mixture, often including salt, pepper, and other spices, and then fried until they develop a crispy, golden-brown coating. Despite its name,there’s no chicken involved in the dish;it’s called “chicken fried” due to its similarity in preparation to fried chicken.

What is Chicken Fried Steak?

Chicken fried steakis a classic Southern dish made from tenderized beef cutlets coated in seasoned flour and fried until crispy, then topped with a rich, peppery white gravy. It’s loved because it delivers a crunchy, fried-chicken style crust on tender beef, all finished with a comforting homemade gravy.

A fork lifts a tantalizing piece of chicken fried steak with gravy, revealing the succulent inner meat and crispy coating. In the background, a plate showcases mashed potatoes alongside a full portion of this classic dish, drenched in rich gravy.

Key Takeaways

Easy to Make:With simple ingredients and basic steps, this chicken fried steak recipe is perfect forboth beginners and seasoned cooks.You’ll have it on the table in no time!
Crispy Perfection:The steak iscoated in a golden, crunchy crustthat’s irresistibly satisfying, making every bite a delight. It’s the perfect balance of tender meat and crispy coating.
Creamy Gravy:Topped with a rich,homemade gravy,this dish brings the ultimate comfort food experience to your table. The gravy is so good, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything!
Make Ahead: The steaks can be breaded and stored in the fridgefor up to 4 hours before cooking, making dinner prep more manageable on busy nights.

🥩 My kids get ridiculously excited every time I make anair fryer steak– it’s become my go-to comfort food on lazy Sunday evenings!

Ingredient Notes

A white oval plate with raw cube steaks, perfect for making Chicken Fried Steak, sits on the countertop. Surrounding it are flour, eggs, milk, oil, sour cream, and seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. A red checkered cloth adds a charming touch at the bottom right.

Cubed Steaks:Already tenderized, these are the classic cut for this dish.

Salt and Black Pepper:Season the steaks directly before breading.

All-Purpose Flour:Forms the base of the seasoned coating. Will also be used to thicken the gravy.

Paprika, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder:Add the savory depth to the flour coating.

Eggs:Help the flour coating adhere to the steak.

Whole Milk:Thins the egg mixture for a smooth dip. Also used to create the gravy.

Sour Cream:Adds tang and richness to the egg wash.

Oil:A neutral oil with a high smoke point works the best.

Butter:Used as the base of the gravy mixture to create the roux.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Three white plates on a light surface showcase the essentials for making chicken fried steak: one with a yellow liquid mixture, another with flour, and the third featuring pieces of raw meat. Salt and pepper grinders stand ready in the background.

Prep the Meat: Pat the cubed steak dry with paper towels and pound between plastic wrap until about 1/4 inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Create the Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and sour cream. Dip each steak first in flour mixture, then egg mixture, and back in flour mixture. Shake off excess.
Fry to Golden Brown: Heat 1/2 inch of oil to 350°F in a large skillet. Fry 1-2 steaks at a time for 2-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Whip Up the Gravy: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a paste. Gradually whisk in milk until the gravy thickens to your liking.
Time to Dig In: Pour hot gravy over your crispy steaks and serve immediately.

Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Fried Steak

Let Them Rest: For extra crispy coating,let the breaded steaks rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick better and creates those signature crunchy ridges.
Oil Temperature: Keep a thermometer in the oil while frying. If the temperature drops below 350°F,wait for it to heat back up before adding the next steak. This ensures even browning and prevents greasy results.
Gravy Success: For the smoothest gravy,warm your milk slightly before adding it to the roux.Cold milk tends to create lumps.
Meat Check: When pounding the meat, look foreven thickness across the entire steak. Uneven thickness leads to some parts being overcooked while others remain tough.
Season Well: Don’t be shy with the seasoning in your flour mixture.The meat, breading, and gravy should each be well-seasoned independentlyfor the best flavor throughout.
Make Space: Use your largest skillet for frying.Overcrowding the pan drops the oil temperature and makes the coating soggy. Better to fry in batches than to rush.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chicken fried steak?

Chicken fried steak is a classic dish made from tenderized beef steak coated with seasoned flour and fried until crispy, resembling the texture of fried chicken.

Is there chicken in chicken fried steak?

No! Despite its name, chicken fried steak does not contain chicken. The dish got its name because the preparation method is similar to that of frying chicken.

What makes chicken fried steak different from regular steak?

Chicken fried steak is different from regular steak due to its preparation method. It involves tenderizing the meat and coating it in seasoned flour before frying, which gives it a distinct crispy texture.

My gravy is lumpy – how can I fix it?

For smooth gravy, whisk continuously while adding the milk and make sure your butter-flour paste (roux) is smooth before adding any liquid. If you still get lumps, strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve.

Three pieces of crispy, golden-brown chicken fried steak are stacked on a white oval plate. A red and white checkered napkin peeks from the top left corner, completing this classic comfort food presentation.

Variations and Substitutions

A plate featuring chicken fried steak smothered in creamy white gravy sits beside a generous serving of mashed potatoes. This classic dish is elegantly presented on a light-colored ceramic plate atop a pristine white surface.

Buttermilk Swap– Use buttermilk in place of the milk and sour cream in the egg wash for a similar tangy flavor.
Spice it Up– Add chili powder and red pepper flakes to the flour mixture for a bit of heat.
Gravy Swap– Use the reserved frying oil instead of butter for the gravy, though butter will give a richer, thicker result.

What to Serve with Chicken Fried Steak

Buttermilk Biscuits

Roasted Green Beans

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator

Store any leftover chicken fried steak and gravy separately in airtight containers in the refrigeratorfor up to 3 days.

Freezer

While not ideal, you can freeze the cooked steaks forup to 2 monthsby wrapping each piece individually in plastic wrap, then foil, before placing in a freezer bag.

The gravy can also be frozen separately in an airtight container.

Reheating

For the best results when reheating,avoid the microwave as it will make the coating soggy. Instead, warm the steaks ina 375°F oven on a wire rack for 10-15 minutesuntil heated through and crispy. Meanwhile, reheat the gravy on the stovetop,adding a splash of milk to thin it if needed.

More Delicious Beef Recipes To Try

Thischicken fried steakis the perfect diner-style dinner that is completely doable right at home. With a crispy, well-seasoned crust and a rich homemade gravy, it’s the kind of comfort food that disappears fast at the table.