Chicken Fried Steak (Printable Version)

Tenderized steak coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, fried until crispy and topped with creamy homemade white gravy.

# What You Need:

→ For the Steak

01 - 4 beef cube steaks (about 5-6 oz each)
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 1 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1 tsp onion powder
08 - 1 tsp paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ For the Creamy White Gravy

13 - 3 tbsp pan drippings (from frying) or unsalted butter
14 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
15 - 2 cups whole milk
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ For the Garnish

17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat the cube steaks completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper breading adhesion.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: first with flour combined with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper; second with beaten eggs whisked with 1/2 cup milk; third with breadcrumbs.
03 - Coat each steak thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, dip into the egg wash, then press firmly into the breadcrumbs to ensure even coverage.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet to reach approximately 1/2 inch depth and heat over medium-high until shimmering.
05 - Cook steaks in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and keep warm.
06 - Pour off all oil except 3 tablespoons from the skillet. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute over medium heat to create a roux.
07 - Gradually whisk in milk while scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom. Continue whisking for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
08 - Plate the fried steaks immediately, generously topped with creamy white gravy and garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The breading stays impossibly crispy even under all that gravy
  • It transforms ordinary cube steak into something that feels like a special occasion
  • The whole house smells like comfort and welcome before the first plate hits the table
02 -
  • Cold steaks make the oil temperature drop too fast, so let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before you start
  • Don't rush the gravy whisking step or you'll end up with lumps that nothing can fix
  • The first batch always looks less perfect than the last, which is just part of the learning curve
03 -
  • Let the breaded steaks rest for 10 minutes before frying so the coating sets properly
  • Cast iron holds heat better than stainless steel and creates a more even fry
  • A little splash of hot sauce in the gravy brightens everything without adding obvious heat
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