Upgraded Chicken Fried Steak Recipes

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:

• Salt the meat: Sprinkle a little salt over the meat. Preheat the oven to 200°F. Put a wire rack over a baking sheet and place in the oven. You'll use the oven to keep the finished steaks warm and crisp while you cook the gravy.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Cut steak into serving size pieces. Season steak with tenderizer, garlic salt, and black pepper. Beat egg and milk together. Put a little baking soda in the egg mixture for a golden color. Roll steaks in flour, then egg-milk mixture. Roll in flour again and fry in hot lard until golden brown.

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:

• Slice the steak into 4 pieces. Place each piece between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound thin, about 1/4-inch thick. Place the pieces in a shallow bowl and pour over 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, and thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• In a shallow plate, season 2 cups flour with cumin, salt, and pepper. In another shallow plate lightly beat the eggs and add 1 cup buttermilk and 1 teaspoon hot sauce; season with salt and pepper. Remove the steaks from the marinade and shake off the excess buttermilk. Dredge in the flour, dip into the beaten egg mixture, and dredge again in the seasoned flour; set on plate to rest for a few minutes while you cook the bacon.
• Slice the bacon into 1-inch pieces and place them into a large cold skillet. Set the skillet over medium heat and cook until the bacon is crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and reserve the fat in the skillet. Cook the steaks in the bacon fat over medium heat until they are golden brown on each side, about 10 minutes; set aside and keep warm.
• Drain off all but about 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Add 2 tablespoons flour and cook for about 1 minute breaking up any lumps. Slowly pour in the remaining cup of buttermilk stirring constantly to break up lumps. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened; season with salt and pepper and stir in the parsley. Place the steaks on plates and top with the gravy; garnish with bacon.

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.