Easy Homestyle Chicken Fried Steak & Gravy
Get ready to make a comforting Southern classic that's simpler to prepare at home than you might think, and easily balanced with healthy sides!
Equipment
- Heavy Skillet
- Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
Chicken Fried Steak
- 4 cube steaks (about 1/3 lb each)
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper divided
- 2 tsp kosher salt or sea salt divided
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- 2 tsp TABASCO® Sauce (original)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
For the Gravy
- 4 tbsp grease (reserved from frying)
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 cups whole milk or up to 3 cups
- 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the Dry Mix: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, one teaspoon of black pepper, one teaspoon of salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and baking powder. This is your seasoned flour blend, ready for action!
- 2. Prepare the Wet Mix: In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, TABASCO® Sauce, and eggs until they're well combined. This forms your flavorful wet batter.
- 3. Prep the Steaks: Pat your cube steaks very dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture – this is a crucial step for crispiness! Season them lightly with the remaining one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of pepper. Let them rest for 5 minutes, then give them another quick pat dry.
- 4. Create Your Breading Station: First, dredge each steak in the seasoned flour mix, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the buttermilk-egg mixture, allowing extra to drip off. Finally, return it to the seasoned flour for a second coating, pressing the flour firmly onto the steak until it's completely covered. Place your breaded steaks on a sheet pan or wire rack and let them sit for 10 minutes; this resting time helps the breading adhere perfectly.
- 5. Preheat Oven: While your steaks rest, preheat your oven to a low 225-250°F (107-121°C). This will keep your fried steaks warm and wonderfully crispy while you finish cooking and make the gravy.
- 6. Heat the Oil: In a heavy skillet (a cast iron pan is great!) over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4-inch deep of vegetable oil. We're going for a shallow fry, not deep frying. Test the oil's readiness by dropping in a tiny pinch of breading; it should sizzle and bubble nicely (ideally around 320-340°F or 160-170°C).
- 7. Fry the Steaks: Carefully place two steaks into the hot oil at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy. Avoid flipping them more than once to keep that perfect coating intact. Remove the cooked steaks, drain them briefly on paper towels, then transfer them to your preheated oven to stay warm. Once all steaks are fried, reduce the skillet heat to medium.
- 8. Start the Gravy Base: Carefully pour most of the remaining grease from the skillet into a heat-safe bowl, leaving approximately 4 tablespoons of those flavorful pan drippings in the skillet. It's important NOT to scrape the skillet clean; those browned bits clinging to the bottom are the secret to incredible gravy flavor!
- 9. Build the Roux: Whisk the 4 tablespoons of flour into the reserved grease in the skillet. Continue whisking constantly for two to three minutes until the flour turns a lovely golden brown. This step cooks out any raw flour taste and builds a rich flavor foundation.
- 10. Add Liquids Slowly: In a separate bowl, combine the cream and milk. Slowly drizzle about 2 ½ cups of this mixture into the skillet, whisking continuously. Don't worry if it looks a bit lumpy at first; keep whisking, and it will magically smooth out into a creamy consistency.
- 11. Simmer & Season: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, still whisking. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until it's smooth, creamy, and thickened to your desired consistency. If it gets too thick, simply add a splash more milk. Taste and season generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
- 12. Serve & Enjoy: Plate your perfectly crispy chicken fried steaks with a generous helping of warm, creamy gravy. For a well-rounded meal, serve alongside mashed potatoes and your favorite green vegetables like steamed broccoli or green beans. Enjoy this comforting, homemade classic!
Notes
For a well-rounded meal, serve alongside mashed potatoes and your favorite green vegetables like steamed broccoli or green beans. It will probably taste just as amazing!
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 956kcal Total Carbs: 53g Net Carbs: 52g Fats: 58g Protein: 51g