Chicken Fried Steak The Keeper Recipes

THE ULTIMATE CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, one teaspoon black pepper, one teaspoon salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
• In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk , TABASCO® Sauce, and eggs. Set aside.
• Pat cube steaks dry with a paper towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season with one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes and pat dry again with paper towel.
• Dredge the cube steaks in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dredge in the buttermilk-egg mixture, letting excess drip off, and then once again in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
• Place breaded cube steaks on a sheet pan or metal rack and press any of the remaining flour mixture into the cube steaks making sure that the entire steak is completely coated. Let sit for 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 225 to 250 F.
• Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. How much oil you need depends on the size of your skillet. You want it to be about 1/4-inch deep. We aren't deep frying the steaks, just shallow frying.
• Test the oil by dropping a bit of the breading into in. The oil should sizzle and bubble around the breading. Look for the oil to be glistening but not smoking - about 320-340 degrees F. Now we're ready to fry.
• Place two steaks into the pan at a time and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Do not flip more than once or the breading will fall off. Do not fry more than two steaks or the pan will be too crowded and the breading will fall off.
• Remove steaks from pan and drain on paper towels. Place in preheated oven. Turn skillet heat to medium.

THE BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic. Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and again in the flour. Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.
• Heat the shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place fried steaks on a plate with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible.
• Return the skillet to medium-low heat with the reserved oil. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy. Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• For the steak: Begin with setting up an assembly line of dishes. Beat the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
• Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Finally, place it back in the flour and turn to coat. Place the breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with the remaining meat (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture).
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it's sufficiently hot. When the butter sizzles immediately, you know it's ready. (It should not brown right away, if it does, the fire is too hot.) Cook the meat, 3 pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.
• After all the meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heatproof bowl. Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
• For the gravy: When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty/clumpy. Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown color.
• Pour in 3 to 4 cups milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, 5 to 10 minutes. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Be sure to taste to make sure the gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
• Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole shebang!

THE BEST CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Liberally sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper (see Cook's Note). Put them on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature while you make the gravy.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour until combined and cook until golden and bubbling, about 1 minute. Whisk in the whole milk, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy boils. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm; it will seem loose but will thicken as it sits.
• Whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Working with 1 steak at a time, dredge in the seasoned flour, turning to coat and packing into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture into the seasoned flour and work it in with your fingers; it should feel like wet sand with some clumps. (These clumps will give the steak a crispy, shaggy crust.) Dip the dredged steaks into the remaining buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Pack the moistened flour firmly onto each steak. Very gently shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Pour the oil into a large cast-iron skillet fitted with a deep-fry thermometer (the oil should come about halfway up the sides). Heat the oil over high heat until the thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Whisk the warm cream gravy to loosen it and serve over the chicken-fried steak.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Cut the meat with the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Season each piece on both sides with the salt and pepper. Place the flour into a pie pan. Place the eggs into a separate pie pan. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour. Tenderize the meat, using a needling device, until each slice is 1/4-inch thick. Once tenderized, dredge the meat again in the flour, followed by the egg and finally in the flour again. Repeat with all the pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
• Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch slope-sided skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks to a wire rack set in a half sheet pan and place into the oven. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
• Add the remaining vegetable oil, or at least 1 tablespoon, to the pan. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the flour left over from the dredging. Add the chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Whisk until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and thyme and whisk until the gravy coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the gravy over the steaks.

BAKED CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x12 inch baking dish. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge steaks in the flour to coat evenly.
• Heat peanut oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the steaks for about 5 to 8 minutes per side, until golden brown.
• Place 3 fried cube steaks in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the steaks lightly with seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper, and scatter 1/3 cup of diced onions over the steaks. Layer the remaining 3 steaks on top, repeat the seasoning, and sprinkle with the rest of the onion.
• Pour the condensed soup in a bowl, and drain the juice from the canned mushrooms into the empty soup can. Pour in enough water to fill the can, and whisk the liquid and mushrooms into the soup. Pour the soup mixture over the layered steaks.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, until the onions are tender and the gravy is thick and bubbling.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAKS

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine 1-3/4 cups flour, baking powder and seasonings. In another shallow bowl, combine egg and 3/4 cup buttermilk. Dip each cube steak in buttermilk mixture, then roll in flour mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes., In a large skillet, heat 1/2 in. of oil on medium-high. Fry steaks for 5-7 minutes. Turn carefully; cook until coating is crisp and meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes longer. Remove steaks and keep warm., Drain, reserving 1/3 cup drippings; stir remaining flour into drippings until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and remaining buttermilk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with steaks.

BONNIE'S CHICKEN FRIED STEAK--THE BEST!

Steps:

• Cook's Tip: Please read through the recipe before making it. Thanks!
• MAKE THE SPECIAL SEASONING: Combine in a pint jar with a tight lid the following spices: 1/2 cup kosher sea salt, 1/4 cup ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons white ground pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons minced onions, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 1/4 cup garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika. Shake to mix. Keep Special Seasoning for future Chicken Fried Steaks, other meats, or use your leftover chicken fried steaks to make my Almost Campbell's Vegetable Beef Soup: https://www.justapinch.com/recipe/bonnie-dare/almost-campbells-vegetable-beef-soup-bonnies/beef?k=beef+soup+bonnie%27s&p=1&o=r
• EQUIPMENT: You will need two pie plates, one for the egg and milk mixture, and one for the flour. An electric skillet is perfect to make this dish, but you can use any heavy skillet. PREPARE THE RAW MEAT: You will need 4 large 6 to 8 ounce tenderized beef cutlets at room temperature. MAKE THE EGG WASH: Combine in a large pie plate: 2 large eggs, beaten with 2 cups milk at room temperature, whisk until smooth. Set aside. MAKE THE FLOUR COATING: Add 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour to a pie plate for dredging. Add two teaspoons of the Special Seasoning to the flour, mix well. HEAT UP THE SKILLET: coconut oil to fry, 3/4 cup melted in a 350 degree electric skillet. DREDGE THE STEAKS AND FRY THEM: This is a 3 step process! Dredge each of the 4 cutlets in the FLOUR FIRST, and then in the egg wash mixture, and then BACK IN THE FLOUR. Make sure they are well coated and gently lower them into the hot oil. This process is crucial to get the nice thick Chicken Fried Steak crust we all love. Fry the steaks 3 to 5 minutes on each side until they are a lovely golden brown. Turn with tongs. When done, remove to a platter. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
• MAKE THE WHITE GRAVY: 3 tablespoons oil from skillet drippings you fried the meat in. (Remove all but 3 tablespoons of the oil) Make sure you leave any cracklings or brown bits in the skillet. You will need 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce. Salt and black pepper to taste. Place the flour in the skillet and stir into the hot oil, and make a white roux. Slowly add the 2 cups of milk, to make a white gravy, adding more milk if it is too thick until it is just right to serve. Before serving, add the worcestershire sauce and the tobasco sauce.
• TO SERVE: Place a steak on the plate, ladle a generous helping of gravy over the top of the steak and serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Enjoy!

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Put the steaks on a board and bash with a rolling pin until about half the original thickness. Mix the eggs with the cayenne in a bowl. Combine the ingredients for the spice mix with a large pinch of salt in a separate shallow dish.
• Dip the steaks into the egg, then the spice mix, turning to coat. Pour the oil into a large non-stick frying pan until the base of the pan is covered. Fry the steaks over a high heat for 2 mins until crisp, then turn and fry for 2 mins more. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
• If you're making the sauce, pour away all but 1 tbsp oil from the pan and stir in the flour, cooking until browned. Crumble in the stock cube. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 4-5 mins. Season. Add the thyme and plenty of black pepper, then squeeze in the lemon juice to taste. Serve the steaks with the sauce, and greens and corn, if you like.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK (CHICKEN WITH CREAMY GRAVY)

Steps:

• Season the chicken breasts with black pepper.
• In a shallow dish combine crushed cracker crumbs with flour 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using) and baking powder.
• In another shallow dish whisk together eggs with 3/4 milk.
• Dredge the chicken breasts in the cracker mixture then dip in the egg/milk mixture, then dredge AGAIN in the cracker mixture.
• Pour the oil into a large skillet and heat to 360 degrees F.
• Fry the breasts in hot oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown; remove to a wire rack and cover lightly with foil.
• Carefully drain oil but reserve the browned bits in the bottom of the skillet along with a couple tablespoons of the oil.
• In a bowl mix together 4 cups half and half cream, 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon seasoned salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper; whisk until combined, then add to the reserved drippings in the skillet, cook whisking constantly over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Serve the creamed gravy with the breasts.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK & GRAVY

Steps:

• Place 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk eggs and 1/2 cup milk until blended. Sprinkle steaks with 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Dip in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour., In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1/4 in. of oil over medium heat. Add steaks; cook until golden brown and a thermometer reads 160°, 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove from pan; drain on paper towels. Keep warm., Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from pan. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; cook and stir over medium heat until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Gradually whisk in water and remaining milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with steaks.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Pound steaks between 2 sheets of plastic to 1/4" thick; season with salt and pepper.
• Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups cornstarch, 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large baking dish. Place buttermilk in another large baking dish. Working one at time, lightly dredge 4 steaks in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge again in flour mixture, packing onto steaks and pressing firmly into crevices; shake off excess. Place on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Discard wet flour mixture and repeat process with remaining steaks, flour, cornstarch, paprika, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, placing on another rack set inside another baking sheet. Chill, uncovered, 2-6 hours.
• Let steaks stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Pour oil into skillet to come halfway up sides; fit with thermometer. Heat over high until thermometer registers 325°F. Fry steaks in 4 batches until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK-THE KEEPER

Steps:

• Heat about 1/2 inch to an inch peanut oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
• Season the steaks w/Paula Dean's House Seasoning. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs and the buttermilk. Dredge each steak in the flour first, then the buttermilk mixture, and then the flour again. Add each steak to the skillet for frying.
• Fry each steak on one side about 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn and do the same on the other, about 5-6 minutes. (Keep an eye so it doesn't burn).
• Set the steaks aside on paper towels and cover them so they don't cool off too fast. Drain the skillet's peanut oil and add the bacon grease. Heat the bacon grease over medium heat, then mix in the flour and stir until it's bubbly. Add the milk little by little, stirring constantly, until desired amount and consistency is reached (can increase heat to thicken faster). Season w/salt and pepper (I usually add atleast 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, because that's how we like it).