Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy is a classic Southern dish made by breading and frying pieces of tenderized beef steak, usually cube steaks or round steaks, and serving them with a rich, creamy gravy. Despite the name, it doesn’t actually contain chicken; the term “chicken fried” refers to the breading and frying technique, similar to how fried chicken is made.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Fried Steak:

• 4 tenderized cube steaks or round steaks (about 4-6 oz each)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for breading)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk if you prefer)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Gravy:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• 2 cups whole milk (or as needed for desired consistency)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken Fried Steak:

1. Season the Steaks: Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
2. Set up a Breading Station:
   • In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
   • In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk.
3. Bread the Steaks:
   • Dredge each steak in the seasoned flour, making sure it’s coated well on both sides. Dip the steak in the egg and buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge again in the flour mixture. Press lightly to ensure the breading sticks.
4. Fry the Steaks:
   • Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Once the oil is hot (you can test by dropping a little flour in – it should sizzle), carefully place the breaded steaks in the skillet.
   • Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the heat if necessary to avoid burning the breading. Remove the steaks from the skillet and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Make the Gravy:

1. Create a Roux: In the same skillet, add 1/4 cup of flour to the leftover drippings. Whisk it together to form a roux, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
2. Add Milk: Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
3. Season the Gravy: Taste and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne if desired. If the gravy gets too thick, add more milk to reach your preferred consistency.

Serve:

Place each chicken fried steak on a plate and generously spoon the gravy over the top. Serve with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or fried potatoes for a full Southern meal!

Enjoy your Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy!