Chicken fried steak is a classic comfort food that brings together the best of Southern cooking. This dish features tender cube steaks that are seasoned, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. It's a hearty meal that's perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Cube steaks might not be a staple in every household, but they are essential for this recipe. These are usually found in the meat section of your supermarket. If you can't find cube steaks, you can ask the butcher to tenderize regular steaks for you. Make sure to also have plenty of vegetable oil for frying.

Ingredients For Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Cube steaks: Tenderized beef steaks, essential for the texture of the dish.
All-purpose flour: Used for dredging the steaks to create a crispy coating.
Eggs: Beaten to help the flour adhere to the steaks.
Milk: Combined with eggs to create a batter for the steaks.
Salt: Seasoning to enhance the flavor of the steaks.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of spice and depth to the seasoning.
Vegetable oil: Used for frying the steaks to a golden brown.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing cube steaks, make sure to pound them with a meat mallet to ensure they are tender. This will help the seasoning and breading adhere better, resulting in a more flavorful and crispy chicken fried steak.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cube steaks - Substitute with ground beef patties: Ground beef patties can be seasoned and shaped to mimic the texture and flavor of cube steaks.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour provides a slightly nuttier flavor and adds more fiber to the dish.
beaten large eggs - Substitute with buttermilk: Buttermilk can help the coating adhere to the meat and adds a tangy flavor.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that can be used for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a plant-based option.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used if you want to avoid the black specks in the dish.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for frying.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the chicken fried steak to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the coating soggy.
Wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain their crispy texture and prevents them from sticking together.
Place the wrapped steaks in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date. Chicken fried steak can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the steaks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack to maintain their crispiness.
Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes if refrigerated, or 25-30 minutes if frozen. Ensure the steaks are heated through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
For a quicker option, you can reheat the steaks in a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of vegetable oil and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until heated through.
Avoid using the microwave for reheating, as it can make the coating soggy and less appetizing.
Serve the reheated chicken fried steak with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, gravy, or a fresh salad.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the chicken fried steak on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the steak on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
If you prefer a crispier texture, reheat in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the steak in the basket and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Another option is to use a skillet. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the steak and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until heated through and crispy.
For a more traditional approach, reheat in a toaster oven. Set the temperature to 350°F and place the steak on the rack. Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking periodically to ensure it doesn't overcook.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A large, heavy-bottomed pan used for frying the steaks to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
Tongs: Useful for flipping the steaks in the hot oil without piercing the meat, which helps retain juices.
Paper towels: Used to drain excess oil from the fried steaks, keeping them crispy.
Mixing bowls: Needed for holding the flour and beaten eggs during the dredging process.
Whisk: Helps in beating the eggs to a consistent mixture for coating the steaks.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the flour, milk, and oil to ensure the recipe turns out perfectly.
Meat tenderizer: Optional but can be used to further tenderize the cube steaks if needed.
Plate: Used to hold the dredged steaks before frying.
Thermometer: Useful for checking the oil temperature to ensure it’s at the right heat for frying.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Season the cube steaks and measure out the flour, eggs, and milk the night before to save time.
Use a large skillet: Fry multiple steaks at once to reduce cooking time.
Preheat the oil: Ensure the vegetable oil is hot before adding the steaks to speed up the frying process.
Double coating: Dredge all steaks in flour and eggs before starting to fry, so you can cook them continuously.
Drain efficiently: Use a wire rack over paper towels to drain excess oil quickly and keep the steaks crispy.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cube steaks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. Season the cube steaks with salt and pepper.
- 2. Dredge the steaks in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with flour again.
- 3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- 4. Fry the steaks until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- 5. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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