Chicken fried steak is a country favorite at our house and is a great way to make a quick hearty meal. Cubed steak is breaded and fried until crispy like chicken and making a delicious pan sauce completes this country favorite. Here’s how to make it:
Start with 4 cubed steaks, enough for four servings. Next, prepare your breading ingredients.
Set up two trays, one with 1 egg and 1/2 cup of half & half beaten together until smooth, and the other with 1 cup of all-purpose unbleached flour. To the flour, mix in 1 tsp. sea salt, 1 tsp. ground black pepper, 1 tsp. granulated garlic, 1 tsp. onion powder, and 1 tsp. paprika. Mix well.
Next, mix up your gravy ingredients. In a measuring cup or bowl add 1 cup of hot water mixed with 1/2 tsp. beef base (I use Better Than Bouillon Beef Base), and a 1/2 cup of half & half and set aside. Place two tables spoons of flour into a small container and set aside.
Place each steak into the flour and coat well, then dip the steak into the egg mixture, let it drip off, and then back into the flour again. Place the coated steaks on a sheet of aluminum foil while the oil is being heated in the pan.
In a large cast iron skillet or another heavy skillet, heat 1/2 cup of peanut, corn, or vegetable oil over medium-high heat. (Not olive oil because it has a low smoke point). To the oil, add 2 Tbl. of butter and stir to combine. Be sure the oil is hot before adding the steaks, so they do not absorb too much grease and become soggy.
Once the oil and butter are hot, add two of the steaks and fry until golden brown on each side and place in a warm oven on a rack in a sheet pan while the next two steaks are frying. It is important not to
When steaks are done keep them in a low oven while making the gravy. Remove 2 Tbl. of grease from the pan and discard. To the pan add the 2 Tbl. of flour to the remaining grease. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease and stir with a whisk until it starts to bubble over medium heat.
Whisking constantly, once the flour and grease start to thicken, slowly add in the broth and half & half mixture while continuing to whisk the gravy.
Bring the gravy to a boil while continuing to whisk to avoid lumps. Boil for 1-2 minutes until the gravy thickens then remove from the heat. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste and serve over the steaks.
The chicken fried steaks go great with a side of vegetables and are sure to become a favorite. Enjoy and happy cooking!
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: About 30 min. total
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
4 cube steaks
1 large egg
1/2 cup half & half
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 cup peanut, corn, or vegetable oil (Not olive oil)
2 Tbl. butter
Gravy:
2 Tbl. all-purpose unbleached flour
1 cup hot water
1/2 tsp. beef base (I use Better Than Bouillon Beef Base)
1/2 cup half & half
sea salt & pepper to taste