Chicken-fried Steak
Make Chicken-fried Steak once and it will go straight into your regular rotation. Prep takes about under an hour, cooking around 20 minutes, and it serves 2. It carries a gentle kick; dial the heat up or down to suit the table. Read through the tips before you start — a couple of small details go a long way with this one.
- Cook 20 min
- Total 20 min
- Serves 2
- Level Easy
Ingredients
- White flour as needed plus 3 tbsp
- 2 tbsp Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Whole Milk, combined with ¼ cup heavy cream
- 3 Ea. beef steaks, ½ inch thick
- 3 tbsp Bacon drippings, divided
- 2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- ?
Method
- 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.
Tips for the best Chicken-fried Steak
- Rest the finished dish for a few minutes before serving — it lets the flavours settle and the texture firm up.
- Let the beef come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
- This is a 9-step recipe, so set up your workspace in the order the steps use it.
Variations
- Mild version: halve the chilli and finish with a spoon of yoghurt or cream to soften the heat.
- Swap the beef for lamb or mushrooms or lentils — keep the cooking time similar and check for doneness.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving ideas
Serve hot with rice, potatoes or crusty bread, and something green on the side.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Chicken-fried Steak recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 9 ingredients and 9 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Can I make Chicken-fried Steak ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
What can I substitute for white flour as needed plus 3 tbsp?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
How long does Chicken-fried Steak take to make?
About 20 minutes in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking.
How many people does this Chicken-fried Steak recipe serve?
As written it serves 2. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 2×2.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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