How to Make Delicious Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak is a true southern classic that is loved by many all around America. It is a dish made from thin cuts of steak that are battered and then deep-fried. To make the perfect chicken fried steak, you need to follow a few simple steps that will ensure a tasty and crispy outcome. In this article, we will go over the process of making chicken fried steak, so you can prepare it at home and impress your friends and family.

Before getting started, it’s important to choose the right cut of steak. For chicken fried steak, you will want to get a cut that is tender and thinly sliced, like cube steak or minute steak. Once you have the perfect cut, it’s time to start preparing the batter. A great chicken fried steak batter should be light, crispy, and flavorful. You can use a mixture of flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and some spices like paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper to achieve the desired result. In the next section, we will walk you through the steps of making the perfect batter and how to fry your chicken fried steak to perfection.

How to Make Chicken Fried Steak: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re looking for a delicious and comforting meal, chicken fried steak is the perfect choice. This classic Southern dish is made with tenderized steak, battered and fried to perfection. It’s hearty, filling, and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to making chicken fried steak that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need:

– 4 beef cube steaks, tenderized
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tbsp garlic powder
– 1 tbsp onion powder
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp paprika
– 1 egg
– 1 cup buttermilk
– Vegetable oil, for frying

Step 1: Tenderize the Steak

To begin, you’ll need to tenderize the beef cube steaks. This can be done using a meat mallet or a fork. Simply pound the steaks until they are about 1/4 inch thick. This will make them easier to cook and give them a nice, tender texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

Next, you’ll need to prepare the batter for your chicken fried steak. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp of garlic powder, 1 tbsp of onion powder, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, and 1 tsp of paprika. Mix well.

Step 3: Beat the Egg and Buttermilk

In a separate bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 cup of buttermilk. This mixture will serve as the wet ingredients for your batter.

Step 4: Dip the Steak in the Batter

Now it’s time to coat the steak in the batter. First, dip each steak into the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, dip it into the egg and buttermilk mixture, ensuring that it’s covered completely.

Step 5: Repeat the Coating Process

Once you’ve coated the steak in the egg mixture, return it to the flour mixture and coat it again. This double coating will ensure that your chicken fried steak has a crispy, crunchy exterior.

Step 6: Heat the Oil

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be hot enough to fry the steak but not so hot that it burns.

Step 7: Fry the Steak

Carefully place the coated steak into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-5 minutes on each side or until the steak is golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.

Step 8: Drain the Steak

Once the chicken fried steak is cooked, carefully remove it from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs. Place it on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain off any excess oil.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!

Your chicken fried steak is now ready to serve! This dish is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. However, you can also pair it with your favorite sides like mac and cheese or cornbread. Dig in and enjoy!

Step 10: Store Any Leftovers

If you have any leftover chicken fried steak, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to reheat it, simply place it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

In conclusion, making chicken fried steak at home is easier than you may think. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll soon be enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. So go ahead and give it a try!

Preparing the Steak

Chicken fried steak is a dish that many people love, but few actually know how to make properly. One of the most important steps in creating the perfect chicken fried steak is preparing the steak itself. Whether you prefer a tenderloin or a cube steak, there are a few crucial steps that you need to follow in order to ensure that your steak is both tasty and tender.

1. Choose the right cut – The first step to making a great chicken fried steak is selecting the right cut of meat. Many people prefer to use cube steak, which is a beef top sirloin that has been tenderized and flattened. However, tenderloin can also be used for a more high-end version of the dish.

2. Season the steak – Once you have your steak, it’s important to season it well. You can use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Be sure to season both sides of the steak and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

3. Tenderize the meat – If you’re using a tougher cut like cube steak, you will need to tenderize the meat further. You can use a meat mallet to pound the steak, or you can use a technique called “needling” where you use a needle-like tool to create tiny holes in the meat, which helps to break down the connective tissues.

4. Dredge the steak – Once your steak is seasoned and tenderized, it’s time to dredge it. This means coating the steak in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper. It’s important to do this step right before frying the steak, as it will help create a delicious crust and keep the steak moist.

5. Let it rest – It’s important to let your steak rest for a few minutes after dredging it. This allows the flour and seasoning to adhere to the meat and creates a better texture when frying.

6. Heat up your oil – Use a deep frying pan or a cast-iron skillet to heat up your oil. Be sure to use a high-heat oil like canola or vegetable oil, and enough oil to cover the steak completely.

7. Fry the steak – Once your oil is hot, you can carefully place your steak into the pan. Cook it for 3-4 minutes on each side, until it’s golden brown and crispy on the outside.

8. Drain excess oil – Once the steak is done, carefully remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

9. Keep warm – Chicken fried steak is best served hot, so it’s important to keep it warm until you’re ready to eat. You can do this by placing the steak in a pre-heated oven at 200°F until you’re ready to serve.

10. Garnish and enjoy – Finally, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your chicken fried steak. You can serve it with gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans for a classic Southern meal, or get creative and try something new – the possibilities are endless! Whatever you choose, be sure to enjoy every savory bite of your homemade chicken fried steak.

Choosing and Preparing the Steaks

Once you’ve acquired all the ingredients and equipment necessary to make chicken fried steak, it’s time to select your steaks and prepare them for cooking. In this section, we’ll talk about how to choose the best steaks for your chicken fried steak and how to prepare them properly so they cook up tender and flavorful.

Choosing the Steaks

When it comes to selecting steaks for chicken fried steak, you have a few options. Traditionally, cube steak is used for this type of dish. Cube steak is a cut of beef that has been tenderized and pounded with a meat mallet to create small indentations on the surface, which help the meat cook evenly and quickly.

If you can’t find cube steak, you can also use other cuts of beef, such as sirloin or round steak. Just make sure to pound the meat to tenderize it and make it easier to cook.

Preparing the Steaks

Before cooking the steaks, it’s important to properly prepare them to ensure they cook through evenly and have a nice crispy coating. Here’s how to do it:

– Allow the steaks to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them cook evenly.
– Season the steaks generously with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings, such as garlic powder or paprika.
– Dip each steak into the flour mixture, making sure to coat them evenly on both sides. Then, dip them into the beaten egg mixture, letting any excess drip off.
– Finally, coat each steak in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the surface of the steak to help them adhere.

Letting the Steaks Rest

Once you’ve finished breading the steaks, it’s important to let them rest for a few minutes before cooking them. This allows the coating to set and helps it adhere to the surface of the steak better.

You can let the steaks rest on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, or on a plate. Just make sure they’re not touching each other, as this can cause the coating to fall off.

Cooking the Steaks

Now that your steaks are prepared and rested, it’s time to cook them up! Here’s how to do it:

– Heat your oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
– Once the oil is hot, carefully place the steaks into the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them.
– Fry the steaks for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
– Transfer the steaks to a paper towel-lined plate and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken fried steak is typically served with a generous helping of creamy gravy on top. You can use a store-bought gravy mix, or make your own from scratch using pan drippings, milk, flour, and seasonings.

To complete the meal, consider serving your chicken fried steak with some classic Southern sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or corn on the cob. And don’t forget the sweet tea!

Till Next Time: Thank You for Joining Our Fried Steak Adventure

Now that you know how to make chicken fried steak, you’ll be able to whip up this classic Southern dish anytime your taste buds crave it. We hope you had a blast reading and following along, and we can’t wait to share more recipes and cooking adventures with you in the future. Stay tuned for more scrumptious recipes, cooking tips, and more. Until then, happy cooking!