Southern Comfort: Classic Chicken Fried Steak Recipe Worth Savoring

Sizzling and golden, this classic chicken fried steak recipe delivers pure Southern comfort on a plate.

Tender beef gets coated in a crispy, perfectly seasoned breading that crackles with every bite.

The rich, creamy gravy promises to make taste buds dance with delight.

Home cooks have treasured this hearty dish for generations, turning simple ingredients into a meal that warms both stomach and soul.

Each forkful carries the essence of down-home cooking, with a satisfying crunch that speaks to traditional American cuisine.

Ranch hands and city dwellers alike fall in love with this timeless favorite that turns an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast.

Grab your skillet and get ready to create a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 457 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Classic Chicken Fried Steak

• Cube Steak: Tenderized beef cut perfect for quick cooking with maximum flavor absorption and easy chewing.

• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Creates crispy, golden exterior with light and airy texture.
• Montreal Steak Spice, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Infuses robust, savory seasoning that elevates the overall taste profile.

• Buttermilk, Egg: Provides tangy moisture and helps coating adhere perfectly to meat, ensuring a crunchy exterior.

• Vegetable Oil: Allows even, high-temperature cooking for achieving deep golden-brown crust.

• Breakfast Sausage: Adds rich, meaty undertones and traditional southern flavor to cream sauce.
• Butter: Creates silky smooth foundation for gravy with luxurious mouthfeel.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens sauce and provides smooth consistency.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Generates creamy, velvety sauce with deep, comforting flavor layers.

• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh finish and visual appeal to dish.

Equipment to Cook Chicken Fried Steak Right

• Meat Mallet: Essential for pounding steak to perfect ¼ inch thickness.
• Large Mixing Dishes: Two shallow dishes for flour and buttermilk mixtures.
• Non-Stick Skillet: Crucial for frying steaks and making gravy with even heat distribution.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending buttermilk and egg smoothly.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried steaks.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting or trimming steak before cooking.
• Spatula: Helps flip steaks and stir gravy without scratching skillet.

Cooking Instructions for Classic Chicken Fried Steak

• Meat Preparation

Gently tenderize the beef until it’s delicately thin, allowing seasonings to penetrate deeply and create a mouthwatering texture.

• Flavor Coating Station

Create two separate bowls – one with seasoned flour mix and another with creamy buttermilk blend, preparing for a crispy golden exterior.

• Dredging Dance

Lovingly coat each steak by first rolling in flour mixture, then dipping into buttermilk, and finishing with another flour layer for maximum crunch.

• Sizzling Transformation

Heat skillet with oil until shimmering, then carefully lay steaks to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown crust, cooking each side until perfectly crisp.

• Creamy Gravy Magic

In the same skillet, brown sausage bits, then whisk butter and flour into a silky base. Slowly pour in rich chicken broth and cream, stirring until velvety smooth and generously seasoned.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh herbs over the steak and gravy, bringing a burst of brightness to this classic Southern comfort dish.

Tips and Flavor Variants for Chicken Fried Steak

• Use a meat mallet to pound steaks evenly, creating a uniform thickness that ensures consistent cooking and crispy coating.
• Choose cube steak or tenderized round steak for the most authentic and tender chicken fried steak experience.
• Experiment with different spice combinations like Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, or dried herbs to personalize the flour mixture.
• Let coated steaks rest for 5-10 minutes before frying to help the breading adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Add a splash of bourbon or worcestershire sauce to the gravy for an unexpected depth of flavor that elevates the classic recipe.

Chicken Fried Steak Serving Suggestions

• Pair with Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Serve the crispy chicken fried steak atop a cloud of buttery, smooth mashed potatoes to soak up the rich, savory gravy.
• Comfort Meal Companions: Add classic southern sides like green beans, corn on the cob, or buttered dinner rolls to complete this hearty, down-home meal.
• Brunch Star Move: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch centerpiece by topping the steak with a sunny-side-up egg and sprinkling fresh chopped chives for extra flavor and visual appeal.
• Wine and Beverage Pairing: Complement the rich, crispy steak with a cold glass of iced tea, a light amber beer, or a smooth red wine like Zinfandel to balance the robust flavors.

Storage Tips for Chicken Fried Steak

• Refrigerate Leftovers Quickly: Store chicken fried steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Maximize Refrigerator Shelf Life: Keep cooked chicken fried steak in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent moisture loss.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen chicken fried steak can last up to 2 months without losing quality.
• Reheat with Crispy Perfection: Warm refrigerated or thawed chicken fried steak in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Use a wire rack on a baking sheet to help maintain the crispy coating and prevent sogginess.

Crispy Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken fried steak delivers pure Southern comfort with crispy golden breading and creamy pepper gravy. Home cooks can recreate this beloved diner classic with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques for a satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

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• 10–12 oz (280–340 g) breakfast sausage, cut into tiny pieces or grated
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsps butter
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Tenderize steak to uniform quarter-inch thickness using meat mallet, ensuring consistent texture and cooking potential.
2. Seasoning Foundation: Apply kosher salt and black pepper across meat surface to establish robust flavor profile.
3. Coating Development: Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, Montreal Steak Seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in wide container for comprehensive breading.
4. Liquid Mixture: Whisk buttermilk and egg until smooth, creating binding agent for breading process.
5. Breading Technique: Execute triple-layer coating by dusting steak in flour mixture, submerging in buttermilk-egg wash, then re-coating with seasoned flour for maximum crispiness.
6. Frying Setup: Heat vegetable oil in heavy-bottomed skillet to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, establishing ideal frying environment.
7. Cooking Process: Carefully place breaded steaks in hot oil, frying 3-4 minutes per side until achieving deep golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
8. Oil Drainage: Transfer fried steaks to paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil while maintaining crisp texture.
9. Gravy Foundation: Brown sausage in same skillet until caramelized, then set aside temporarily.
10. Roux Creation: Melt butter, incorporate flour, and stir continuously for one minute to develop rich base.
11. Gravy Development: Gradually add chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps, creating smooth liquid consistency.
12. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce heavy cream, return sausage to skillet, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Final Touch: Sprinkle chopped parsley over gravy, stirring to distribute flavor and create vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Meat Tenderizing Tip: Pound steak evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent tough, chewy texture.
• Seasoning Strategy: Layer flavors by generously seasoning meat before coating for maximum taste penetration.
• Coating Crispiness Hack: Use triple-layer technique with flour, buttermilk-egg wash, and flour again to create an incredibly crunchy exterior.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain precise 350-375°F oil temperature for perfect golden-brown crust without burning or undercooking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 457
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg