United States / Main
Chicken-fried Steak
Chicken Fried Steak is a hearty food dish in the southern USA. The dish is commonly served with mashed potatoes smothered in chicken fried steak gravy. It is, simply, a cut of steak (usually cheap round steak) pounded until tender, breaded like you would bread chicken, and fried in oil. Milk, salt, flour and pepper are added to the grease drippings and used to make a thick gravy, which is generously poured over the steak and, usually, mashed potatoes. Many people think the gravy makes the steak!
Ingredients
- white flour, as needed plus 3 tbsp
- black pepper, freshly ground2 tbsp
- kosher salt1 tbsp
- egg, beaten2
- whole milk, combined with 1/4 cup heavy cream1 cup
- beef steak, 1/2 inch thick3
- bacon drippings, divided3 tbsp
- smoked paprika2 tbsp
- chicken stock1/3 cup
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 9 steps
Pour 2 tbsp drippings into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Preheat the pan over medium high heat. Wet hand, drip 1 drop of water in pan to test the heat. If it sizzles, it's hot enough.
Trim each steak.
Beat eggs with seasonings, then dip steaks into eggs.
Thoroughly dredge steak in flour on both sides.
When the pan is hot enough, put steaks in pan in a triangle formation. Fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
Remove steak(s) from pan and place in a 200°F oven.
Pour remaining drippings into pan and lower heat to medium. Add flour and cook, whisking, until light blonde color is achieved.
Add chicken broth to pan, and whisk to deglaze pan. Add cream mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until gravy coats back of spoon. Don't let the gravy get too thick.
Drizzle gravy over steaks and serve.
