My mom was not an avid cook. She preferred spending time reading or playing video games with my brothers (she was the COOLEST mom). But every now and then she would venture into the kitchen a little earlier than normal and I was always delighted because that only meant one thing. Chicken fried steak. I loved the crispy, crunchy golden steak served with creamy gravy and a healthy mound of buttery mashed potatoes. To this day this is the meal that reminds me of my mom more than any other and lucky for me, my kids love it just as much as I do so the tradition is being continued.
Ingredients
Steak. I prefer using thin-cut sirloin that I thin out myself with a meat mallet but you can buy tenderized or cube steak from most supermarkets. Flour. All purpose / Cake flour. Seasoning: Salt, garlic powder, paprika, dried mixed herbs (herbs de Provence, Italian, etc.), black pepper. Eggs. Oil, for frying. I prefer using canola but any neutral frying oil will work.
What is chicken fried steak?
Chicken fried steak or Country fried steak, as it is also known, is a thin piece of beef coated in breading and fried until golden and crisp.
How to make chicken fried steak?
How to make gravy for chicken fried steak
To make the gravy, pour off the oil and wipe out most of the flour in the pan. Return the pan to the heat and add a knob of butter. Add flour and whisk to form a roux then pour in chicken stock. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. You can add other herbs and spices of your choice as well. Allow to simmer for 5-6 minutes until the sauce is cooked. Serve the steak with gravy, mashed potatoes and vegetables of your choice.
How to keep breading on steak or chicken
Coating the meat first in flour then in egg and then finally in flour again is the key to keeping breading from falling off the meat you are frying. The flour acts as something for the eggs to grip onto and will ensure good coverage.
