Description
Chicken fried steak is a classic Southern comfort dish featuring tenderized beef steak marinated in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, then fried to crispy golden perfection. Served with homemade gravy and sides, it’s a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Steak and Marinade
- 1 pound beef steak (round steak or cube steak)
- 1 cup buttermilk
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Frying
- 2 cups vegetable or canola oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: Place the beef steak in a bowl and cover it with buttermilk. Let it marinate for at least one hour or preferably overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Prepare the breading mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even seasoning.
- Coat the steaks: Beat the eggs in another bowl. Dip each marinated steak first into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to adhere the coating evenly.
- Heat the oil and fry: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a skillet and heat it over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the coated steaks in the hot oil and fry each side for 3 to 4 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the fried steaks from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot, accompanied by homemade gravy and your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoes or green beans.
Notes
- Marinating the steak overnight enhances tenderness and flavor significantly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure oil is at the correct frying temperature to achieve crispiness without absorbing excess oil.
- Doubling the flour mixture ensures sufficient coating for both sides of the steak.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
