Savor the Hearty Delight of Chicken Fried Steak
Embark on a flavor journey with this chicken fried steak recipe, blending the crisp comfort of a fried cutlet with the richness of creamy gravy. It’s a dish that turns everyday dinner into a memorable feast.

Whether you're looking to impress at a weekend family gathering or simply want a comforting dinner after a busy day, this recipe delivers. Packed with texture and warmth, it brings a classic dish into your kitchen with ease.
Ready to elevate your mealtime? Let’s dive into this straightforward, rewarding recipe.
Crispy Coated Steak with Savoury Gravy: Your New Favourite Chicken Fried Steak
This chicken fried steak recipe not only gives you that golden, crunchy coating but also layers in rich flavour with the smooth, peppered gravy. Moreover, it’s accessible for home cooks of all skill levels and delivers hearty satisfaction every time.
Here’s how you can master the art of crunchy steak paired with luscious gravy, complete with expert tips to make every bite delightful.
Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Fried Steak:
- Keep Oil at Right Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough but not smoking before adding the steaks so they crisp evenly. The Pioneer Woman+2Preppy Kitchen+2
- Use the Double-Dredge Method: First coat the steak in seasoned flour, then in a milk/egg mixture, then again in flour. This helps the crust adhere well. Food Network+1
- Work in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan so the oil temperature remains correct and each piece gets its own space. The Pioneer Woman+1
- Use Pan Drippings for Gravy: Keep some of the oil/good bits left in the skillet – they add depth to your gravy. Andrew Zimmern+1
- Serve Immediately Over Mashed Potatoes: The steak is best when hot and crisp, and served over creamy mashed potatoes with gravy poured on top. The Pioneer Woman+1

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe:
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment: Large skillet, wire rack (optional but helpful), bowls for dredging
With this chicken fried steak recipe, your home kitchen becomes a haven of classic comfort food — crisp, hearty and indulgent.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Fried Steak:
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 lb cube steak (tenderized round steak that’s been extra tenderized)
- Kosher salt
- ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Gravy:
- 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Mashed potatoes, for serving
Directions:
- For the steak: Begin with setting up an assembly line of dishes. Beat the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1½ teaspoons black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
- Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Finally, place it back in the flour and turn to coat. Place the breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with the remaining meat (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture).
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it’s sufficiently hot. When the butter sizzles immediately, you know it’s ready. (It should not brown right away; if it does, the heat is too high.) Cook the meat, three pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.
- After all the meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heat-proof bowl. Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add ¼ cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
- For the gravy: When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty or clumpy. Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown colour.
- Pour in 3 to 4 cups milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, about 5 to 10 minutes. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes too thick. Be sure to taste to make sure the gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
- Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole shebang.
Ready to Relish!
This chicken fried steak recipe offers a fabulous taste experience and brings the joy of a classic comfort food dish right into your home. It’s rich, satisfying and perfectly indulgent.
If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy exploring other comfort-food favourites like one-pot casseroles, slow-cooked gravies or classic brunch breads. For instance, you can check out this easy Dutch oven no-knead bread or dive into a hearty slow-cooker chicken and gravy dish.
Let me know if you’d like tips on side dishes, dietary adaptations or a lighter version of the chicken fried steak recipe!
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Chicken Fried Steak
With this chicken fried steak recipe, your home kitchen becomes a haven of classic comfort food — crisp, hearty and indulgent.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken Fried Steak:
-
1 ½ cups whole milk
-
2 large eggs
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
2 tsp seasoned salt
-
Black pepper (to taste)
-
¾ tsp paprika
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
3 lb cube steak (tenderized round steak that’s been extra tenderized)
-
Kosher salt
-
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
-
1 Tbsp butter
For the Gravy:
-
1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
-
4 cups whole milk
-
½ tsp seasoned salt
-
Black pepper (to taste)
-
Mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
-
For the steak: Begin with setting up an assembly line of dishes. Beat the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1½ teaspoons black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
-
Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Finally, place it back in the flour and turn to coat. Place the breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with the remaining meat (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture).
-
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it’s sufficiently hot. When the butter sizzles immediately, you know it’s ready. (It should not brown right away; if it does, the heat is too high.) Cook the meat, three pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.
-
After all the meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heat-proof bowl. Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add ¼ cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
-
For the gravy: When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty or clumpy. Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown colour.
-
Pour in 3 to 4 cups milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, about 5 to 10 minutes. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes too thick. Be sure to taste to make sure the gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
-
Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole shebang.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes





