Cody Casey
Chicken fried steak is a staple in the South and Midwest, and with its juicy meat and crispy breading, it's not hard to see why. Omaha Steaks Chicken Fried Steaks are a gourmet take on this classic comfort food, and can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The best cut of beef to use for chicken fried steak is Omaha Steaks NY strip steak, which is butcher-trimmed and flash-frozen for the highest quality. The recipe involves preparing a batter, coating the steaks, and air-frying them to perfection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cut of beef | NY strip steak |
| Preparation | Pound steak with a mallet or rolling pin until 0.5 inches thick |
| Seasoning | Salt and pepper |
| Wet batter | Egg and buttermilk |
| Dry batter | Flour and seasoning |
| Cooking method | Air fryer |
| Cooking temperature | 360°F-400°F |
| Cooking time | 8-10 minutes |
| Cooking oil | Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray |
| Serving suggestions | Mashed potatoes, country-style gravy, green beans, creamed corn, horseradish mayonnaise sauce |
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What You'll Learn
- Preparing the steak: Pound the steak thin, season, and batter
- Cooking the steak: Preheat the air fryer, spray the basket, and cook
- Steak cuts: Omaha Steaks' NY strip steak or sirloin steak
- Steak sides: Mashed potatoes, country-style gravy, and green beans
- Steak alternatives: Chicken fried chicken, shrimp, or chicken fingers
Preparing the steak: Pound the steak thin, season, and batter
To prepare the steak, start by pounding the steak thin with a mallet or rolling pin. You want to get the steak to about 0.5 inches thick. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking in the centre of the steak.
Next, season the steak generously with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to enhance the flavour. This step not only adds taste to the steak but also helps to tenderise the meat.
Now, it's time to batter the steak. Prepare two separate plates for the wet and dry batter. On one plate, mix the dry ingredients: flour and any preferred seasonings. In another plate, combine the wet batter, which typically consists of egg and buttermilk. With one hand, dip the steak into the wet batter, ensuring it's well-coated, and then shake off any excess. After that, dip the steak into the dry batter, making sure it's evenly coated. For an extra crispy texture, you can double batter the steak by repeating the process and dipping it into the wet and dry batters again.
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Cooking the steak: Preheat the air fryer, spray the basket, and cook
To cook Omaha chicken fried steak in an air fryer, you'll first need to preheat your air fryer. Different models of air fryers may have different preheat settings, but generally, you should preheat your air fryer to around 360°F to 400°F.
Once preheated, it's important to prepare the air fryer basket. Spray the basket with a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray. This will help to ensure that your steak doesn't stick to the basket and will also help to crisp up the exterior.
Now, you're ready to cook your chicken fried steak. Place the desired number of steaks into the air fryer basket, leaving a small space of around ½" between each steak. This will allow the hot air to circulate and crisp up the exterior of the steaks without overcrowding the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the steaks in batches.
Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but on average, it should take around 8-10 minutes to cook the steaks. For best results, follow the instructions for your specific air fryer, and consider flipping the steaks halfway through the cooking time. The steaks are ready when the exterior is crispy and golden brown, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Steak cuts: Omaha Steaks' NY strip steak or sirloin steak
Steak cuts: Omaha Steaks NY strip steak or sirloin steak
The NY strip steak is a popular choice for chicken-fried steak, as it is a cut from the top loin section with generous marbling that adds flavour. The sirloin steak is also a good option, as it is a lean, thick cut of steak with a bold, beefy flavour.
NY Strip Steak
The NY strip steak is often called the "griller's steak" because it is best cooked outside on the grill. It has a bold, beefy flavour and dense marbling that makes it extra juicy. Omaha Steaks recommends cooking the strip to medium-rare, as this cut of meat can dry out if cooked for too long. When ordering from Omaha Steaks, the NY strip steaks are flash-frozen and vacuum-sealed to ensure they stay fresh and flavorful for up to three months in a properly working freezer.
Sirloin Steak
The Omaha Steaks Top Sirloin Steak is a naturally lean, thick cut of steak with a bold, beefy flavour. It is always tender and can be cooked on the grill or in a pan. When ordering from Omaha Steaks, the top sirloins are flash-frozen and vacuum-sealed to ensure they stay fresh and flavorful for up to three months in a properly working freezer.
Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
To cook chicken-fried steak in an air fryer, start by pounding the steak with a mallet or rolling pin until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper, then prepare a wet batter with egg and buttermilk, and a dry batter with flour and seasoning. Dip the steak in the wet batter, then coat it with the dry batter. Spray the air fryer basket and the steak with olive oil spray, then cook at 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes, or until the exterior is crisp.
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Steak sides: Mashed potatoes, country-style gravy, and green beans
To make mashed potatoes in an air fryer, you'll need potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, and any extras you want to include. Russet potatoes are a good choice due to their high starch content and creamy texture, but you can use any type of baking potato. For extras, consider adding cream cheese for a tangy, creamy richness, and chives for a pop of color and a mild oniony flavor.
First, set your air fryer to 400°F and cook the potatoes for about 25 minutes. Transfer the cooked potatoes to a large plate and remove the skins, if desired. Next, use a potato masher or a fork to mash the potatoes. Place the mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl, add your butter and any extras, then stir until well combined. Serve immediately.
To make country-style gravy, you'll need butter, flour, and milk. You can also use meat drippings instead of butter, such as bacon drippings or leftover grease from chicken-fried steak. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until combined, allowing the mixture to bubble for 1-2 minutes without browning. Add the milk a generous splash at a time, whisking after each addition. Allow the sauce to bubble for 5-7 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.
To cook green beans in an air fryer, start by washing the beans and trimming off any remaining stem with a pair of clean scissors. Place the beans in a bowl and add olive oil, using enough to coat the beans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice, and toss to coat. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the beans inside in an even layer. Cook for 6-10 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. Thinner beans will cook quicker than fatter beans, so keep an eye on them and shake the air fryer basket to turn the beans once during cooking.
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Steak alternatives: Chicken fried chicken, shrimp, or chicken fingers
If you're looking for alternatives to steak, chicken fried chicken, shrimp, or chicken fingers are all great options to cook in an air fryer. Here's how you can prepare them:
Chicken Fried Chicken
For chicken fried chicken, you'll want to start by soaking your chicken pieces in buttermilk to give them that classic tenderness. Then, dip the chicken into a seasoned flour mix to create a nice layer of breading. If you prefer a thicker breading, you can double-dip the chicken in the flour mixture. However, keep in mind that this might not cook as well in the air fryer, and you may end up with floury spots.
Once your chicken is breaded, spray the basket of your air fryer with non-stick spray, and place the chicken pieces inside, ensuring they don't touch to allow air circulation. Lightly spray the chicken with oil, and cook at 350°F for about 24-26 minutes, flipping them halfway through and spraying again with oil. The chicken is ready when the white meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and dark meat reaches 175°F.
Shrimp
For a quick and easy option, shrimp is a great choice. Start by peeling and deveining your shrimp. Then, create a spice mixture with garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried parsley, and salt, and stir it into two tablespoons of olive oil. Combine the shrimp with the spice mixture, and arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Chicken Fingers
For chicken fingers, start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper. Prepare two shallow bowls: one with a beaten egg and the other with a mixture of breadcrumbs and panko. Dip the chicken into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture. Place the breaded chicken on a large dish or cutting board, and spray both sides generously with oil. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, and cook the chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden.
These alternatives to steak can be easily prepared in an air fryer, offering a convenient and tasty option for your meals.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10 minutes to cook Omaha chicken fried steak in an air fryer. However, some sources suggest cooking it for 8 minutes, while others suggest 16-18 minutes.
The best cut of beef to use for Omaha chicken fried steak is the NY strip steak. This is because it is from the top loin section, which has more marbling, and that marbling adds a lot of flavor.
Omaha chicken fried steak is often served with mashed potatoes, country-style gravy, and green beans. It can also be served with steakhouse creamed corn, buttery corn, cornbread, or white gravy.
