The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

If there were a gold medal for comfort food, The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak would absolutely take home the prize. Imagine crispy, golden-brown steak with a peppery kick, all smothered in a luscious homemade cream gravy—every bite is packed with flavor, texture, and down-home warmth.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak doesn’t require anything fancy—just a handful of kitchen essentials that come together in the most irresistible way. Each ingredient brings its own magic, building flavor, crunch, or the perfect creamy finish.

• Cube Steaks: The star of the show—pre-tenderized for quick cooking and that signature texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of your crunchy breading and the foundation of your creamy gravy.
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper & Kosher Salt: Divided for use in both the breading and to directly season the steaks.
• Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Smoky, savory flavors that dial up the deliciousness of the crust.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These give the breading that extra lift for a crisp, airy finish.
• Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness, helping the breading stick and the steak stay juicy.
• TABASCO® Sauce: A splash of hot sauce balances the richness and brings just the right amount of heat.
• Eggs: Essential for binding the breading to the steaks.
• Vegetable Oil: For shallow frying—the key to that golden, crunchy exterior.
• For the Gravy: Grease, Flour, Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: This combination makes the gravy ultra-silky and rich, perfect for drenching your steak.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste: For finishing your gravy just right.

Variations

One of the best things about The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak is how effortlessly you can tweak it. Whether you’re cooking for special diets or just want to try a creative spin, it’s ridiculously easy to adapt this classic to your own taste.

• Gluten-Free: Swap in a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for both breading and gravy to make this dish entirely gluten-free.
• Spicy Southern: Double the TABASCO® Sauce or toss a pinch of cayenne in the flour for fiery, Nashville-style flavor.
• Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based milk and a dairy-free butter substitute in the gravy to keep the dish creamy without the cow.
• Chicken Version: Feel like switching things up? Try this method with boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded thin.

How to Make The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Ingredients

Grab two shallow bowls. In the first, whisk together your flour, half the pepper and salt, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powders, and those all-important leaveners—baking soda and powder. In the second bowl, beat together buttermilk, TABASCO® Sauce, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and impossibly tempting.

Step 2: Prep and Season the Cube Steaks

Pat your cube steaks dry to ensure a beautifully craggy crust. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper, let them absorb all that savory flavor for several minutes, then pat them dry once more for optimal breading.

Step 3: Dredge to Perfection

Give each steak a spa treatment: dip first in the flour, then the buttermilk-egg blend, then back in the flour. Press on any remaining flour mixture to ensure every nook and cranny is generously coated. Let the breaded steaks rest for a good 10 minutes—essential for that signature crunch.

Step 4: Fry to Golden-Brown Magic

Add about 1/4-inch of vegetable oil to a heavy skillet and heat over medium-high. Once it’s shimmering (but not smoking), gently lay in two steaks. Fry for 3–4 minutes per side, flipping only once, until gloriously golden. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a low oven while you finish the others.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Gravy

Pour most of the grease into a heat-safe bowl—but don’t clean that skillet! Whisk flour into the reserved grease and cook until golden brown, soaking up all the tasty brown bits. Gradually whisk in your milk and cream, cook until smooth and thick, and season with plenty of pepper (and more salt if you like). This gravy makes The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak truly unforgettable.

How to Serve The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak

Garnishes

This is a dish that absolutely adores a final flourish of fresh-cracked black pepper and a sprinkling of chopped parsley. A few extra chives scattered over the gravy will add a pop of color and a lovely oniony aroma that makes The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak look so inviting on the plate.

Side Dishes

Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic companion, followed closely by garlicky green beans or buttery corn on the cob. For something with a little zing, try tangy coleslaw or even sautéed asparagus. Trust me, these sides transform your meal into the ultimate comfort feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak family-style on a big platter for a crowd, or plate each steak atop a fluffy bed of mashed potatoes, then drizzle with plenty of gravy. For a fun brunch twist, layer it on a big biscuit and top with a fried egg—southern decadence elevated!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (lucky you!), let the steaks cool completely before wrapping tightly in foil or storing in an airtight container. The gravy can be kept in a separate container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange cooled chicken fried steaks in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Gravy can also be frozen separately, though it may need a quick whisk after reheating to restore its texture.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the steaks in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and crisp, about 15 minutes. Gently warm the gravy in a saucepan, adding a splash of milk to smooth it out if necessary. Avoid the microwave—oven reheating keeps that incredible crust intact!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This is the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with delicious aromas and warms the heart as much as the belly. Treat yourself (and everyone around your table) to The Ultimate Chicken Fried Steak—you’ll turn any night into something special, one glorious, gravy-drenched bite at a time!

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