The Best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

ByLaRee Colburn
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If you’re craving a homestyle dinner that’s hearty, comforting, and full of flavor, this best chicken fried steak recipe is hard to beat. Crispy breaded steak fried until golden and served with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes makes a meal that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect when you want real comfort food at the table.

chicken fried steak and gravy on plate

We raise our own beef, and we always seem to end up with a lot of cubed steak (or minute steaks) as they are sometimes called. These are just a tougher cut of meat that has been run through a tenderizer to break up the long grains of meat in the steak. They are great for making fajitas, smothered steaks (breaded, fried, and baked in gravy), or sourdough philly cheesesteak calzones. To make this chicken-fried steak meal unforgettable, learn how to make instant pot mashed potatoes, and either country gravy or homemade brown gravy.

Quick Look: Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

  • ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • 🍳 Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes
  • 👥 Servings: 6
  • 📊 Calories: ~434 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
  • 🔥 Cook Method: Fried in cast iron
  • 👩‍🍳 Flavor Profile: Savory and beefy
  • ⭐ Difficulty: Easy. making it a perfect weeknight meal

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Classic taste and texture. Everyone loves chicken fried steak, especially this classic recipe
  • This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal, especially if you make instant pot mashed potatoes. The entire meal can come together in 30 minutes.
  • Cooked in cast iron, this steak has a signature crunchy golden crust that will make you want to add this recipe to your regular meal rotation.
  • Made with simple ingredients you will have on hand in your pantry, nothing fancy here, just good old-fashioned cooking.

Ingredients

  • Cube steaks
  • All-purpose flour
  • Eggs
  • Beef tallow or oil

How to Make The Best Chicken Fried Steak Recipe

adding eggs to bowl for breading chicken fried steak

Prepare the breading ingredients: Whisk eggs together in one bowl. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to a second bowl, and plain water to a third bowl.

breading chicken fried steaks

Breading the steak: dredge each steak in egg mixture and then in the flour mixture, making sure it's well coated. Dip it into the water, and then back into the flour mixture. The additional step with the water and second coating of flour give the crust it's crunchy coating.

adding chicken fried steaks to hot oil

Preheat skillet: Preheat your skillet and oil or tallow over medium heat. Gently drop your breaded steaks into the hot oil.

frying chicken fried steak in beef tallow

Cook the steaks: once the bottom side of the steak is browned (usually after 5-6 minutes), gently flip them over and cook them on the second side for 3-4 more minutes.

removing chicken fried steak from pan

Removing steaks: When the steaks have a crunchy golden crust, remove them from the skillet and place them on a platter.

making gravy in a cast iron pan

Make gravy, optional: Pour the grease off the skillet until you have approximately half a cup of grease/drippings left in the skillet. Stir in ½ cup flour and 2 cups milk and cook until thick. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with instant-pot mashed potatoes, gravy, and homegrown corn.

best chicken fried steak with gravy & potatoes

Tips

  • To get the crunchy crust, be sure to dip the breaded steak in water, and then back into the flour mixture before frying
  • Keep the oil hot, but not so hot that it smokes
  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet
  • Save the grease and drippings to make gravy 

FAQ

Cube steak is the most common cut used for chicken-fried steak. It’s already tenderized, which helps it cook quickly and stay tender after frying.

The name comes from the cooking method. The steak is breaded and fried the same way as fried chicken, giving it a crispy golden crust.

They’re very similar, but chicken-fried steak is usually served with creamy white gravy, while country-fried steak is sometimes served with brown gravy.

Make sure to press the seasoned flour mixture firmly onto the steak and let the breaded steaks rest for a few minutes before frying so the coating sticks better.

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or canola oil, and keep the oil heated to about 350°F for the best crispy texture.

Classic sides include mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, corn, or a simple salad.

Store leftover cooked steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to help keep the crust crispy.

More Beef Recipes

chicken fried steak and gravy on plate

The Best Chicken-Fried Steak Recipe

If you’re craving a homestyle dinner that’s hearty, comforting, and full of flavor, chicken-fried steak is hard to beat. Crispy breaded steak fried until golden and served with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes makes a meal that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect when you want real comfort food at the table.
LaRee Colburn
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 6

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Baking racks
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 Metal tongs
  • 1 Digital thermometer
  • 1 cutting board

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Cube steaks
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tbl Fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tbl Salt
  • 3 cups Water
  • 3 eggs, beaten

Instructions

  • Whisk eggs together in one bowl. Add the flour, salt, and pepper to a second bowl, and plain water to a third bowl.
  • Dredge each steak in egg mixture and then in the flour mixture, making sure it's well coated. Dip it into the water, and then back into the flour mixture. The additional step with the water and second coating of flour give the crust it's crunchy coating.
  • Preheat your skillet and oil or tallow over medium heat. Gently drop your breaded steaks into the hot oil.
  • Once the bottom side of the steak is browned (usually after 5-6 minutes), gently flip it over and cook it on the second side for 3-4 more minutes.
  • When the steaks have a crunchy golden crust, remove them from the skillet and place them on a platter.
  • Pour the grease off the skillet until you have approximately half a cup of grease/drippings left in the skillet. Stir in ½ cup flour and 2 cups milk and cook until thick. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Notes

  • To get the crunchy crust, be sure to dip the breaded steak in water, and then back into the flour mixture before frying
  • Keep the oil hot, but not so hot that it smokes
  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet
  • Save the grease and drippings to make gravy 
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I'm a homeschool Mom of 5, living out my dreams of growing a simple, sustainable life on our Nebraska homestead. I'm passionate about gardening, preserving, cooking from scratch and baking with sourdough. I enjoy milking Jersey cows and making our own dairy products. Come along with me as I share with you the skills you'll need to be successful at homesteading and frugal living.

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