This recipe for Chicken Fried Steak features a crispy, golden breading with a luscious white gravy drizzle. Uncover the simple techniques for crafting this restaurant-quality comfort food, akin to the skills of professional chefs.
Ingredients
4 cube steaks, approximately 1/3 pound each
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
Buttermilk Marinade
2 cups buttermilk (refer to notes for substitutions)
2 large eggs
3 teaspoons salt
Breading
1 cup flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
Gravy
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons pan drippings
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup chicken broth
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ cups milk
¾ cup half and half
Cooking Instructions
Tenderize each cube steak with a meat tenderizer until approximately ½ inch thick.
Dry the steaks thoroughly and marinate them in the buttermilk mixture in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or up to 12 hours.
Combine the breading ingredients and coat each steak generously before frying.
Heat oil to 350°F and fry steaks in batches until golden brown on each side.
Drain excess oil on a wire rack and keep warm in an oven.
Gravy Preparation
Reserve pan drippings and skim clean oil off the top.
Melt butter in the pan, add flour and garlic, then gradually add chicken broth, milk, and half and half.
Simmer until desired thickness is achieved.
Notes
Buttermilk Substitutes:
½ cup milk + 1 ½ cups sour cream
4 tablespoons milk + enough plain yogurt to make 2 cups
2 tablespoons white vinegar + enough milk to make 2 cups (let sit for 5-10 minutes)
2 tablespoons lemon juice + enough milk to make 2 cups (let sit for 10 minutes, then stir)
Pro Tips:
Use kitchen tongs for frying and handling steaks.
Opt for a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed dutch oven for even frying.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 687 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 42g
Fat: 49g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Cholesterol: 185mg
Sodium: 739mg
Potassium: 789mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 5g
Vitamin A: 836IU
Vitamin C: 3mg
Calcium: 206mg
Iron: 4mg