Deep-Frying Chicken Fried Steak: A Tasty Guide

Chicken fried steak is a Southern favourite, and it's easy to see why. This dish consists of steak fried in the same manner as fried chicken, with a seasoned flour coating, deep-fried to crispy perfection. While it's typically served with a cream gravy, it can also be served with brown gravy and onions. The best cut of beef for chicken-fried steak is cube steak, or another variety that has already been tenderised. To make chicken fried steak in a deep fryer, start by pounding the steak until it's about 1/4-inch thick. Then, dredge the steak in a flour mixture, dip it into a buttermilk or egg mixture, and dredge it again in the flour mixture. Finally, place the steaks in a deep fryer heated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and fry for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Prepare the steak

To prepare the steak, start by cutting the steak into 1/2-inch thick slices to make 6-ounce portions. Remove any fat or gristle from the meat. Using a meat mallet, pound the steak until it reaches a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This process helps tenderise the meat and ensure even cooking.

Next, set up a dredging station. In one shallow bowl, whisk together dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. In a separate shallow bowl, prepare a wet mixture by whisking together buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce.

Now, it's time to coat the steaks. Start by dredging the steaks in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the steaks into the wet mixture, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, dredge the steaks in the flour mixture once again, making sure to press the flour onto the meat to ensure a complete coating. This double-dredging technique will create a crispy and flavourful crust on the steak.

At this point, your steaks are ready for the deep fryer! Place them carefully into the hot oil, being mindful not to overcrowd the fryer. Fry the steaks in batches if needed, cooking each side for 3-5 minutes or until they reach a golden brown colour. Remove the steaks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Make the batter

To make the batter for chicken fried steak, you'll need to prepare a few mixtures. First, grab two large bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. The amount of each ingredient you'll need will vary depending on the number of steaks you're preparing, but for four half-pound cube steaks, you'll need about two cups of flour, one teaspoon of baking powder, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and a teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

In the second bowl, create a wet mixture by whisking together buttermilk, an egg, and hot sauce. For the aforementioned quantity of steaks, use about one and a half cups of buttermilk, one egg, and a tablespoon of hot sauce.

Now, it's time to coat the steaks! Start by pounding out your steaks to a thickness of about a quarter of an inch and setting them aside. Next, dredge the steaks in the flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dip the steaks into the wet mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dredge the steaks in the flour mixture once again, ensuring both sides are completely coated. Press down on the flour to help it stick to the steak.

Place the battered steaks on a wire rack or sheet pan and let them sit for about ten minutes. This will help the batter adhere to the steak and ensure a crispy coating.

Deep fry the steak

Deep-frying is a great way to cook a tender cut of beef like a rib-eye steak. It cooks hot and fast, creating a brown crust on the exterior of the meat. As long as you don't leave the steak in the hot oil for too long, it will turn out juicy and medium-rare.

First, make sure your steak is dry. Any dampness can cause the oil to splatter. You may want to wear gloves and even eye protection. Have a fire extinguisher nearby as a safety precaution. Heat your oil of choice to 325°F (or 350°F if that is your preferred temperature).

Next, use a rack or basket to slowly lower your seasoned steak into the hot oil. The size of your steak will determine how slowly you need to lower it into the oil. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your steak and your desired level of doneness. For example, a 1/2-inch steak will cook in one to two minutes for medium-rare to medium, while a 1-inch steak will take three to four minutes.

If you are using a deep skillet, you may need to turn the steak halfway through the cooking process. Use tongs with insulated handles to do this. When the steak is done, turn off the heat and slowly remove the steak, being careful not to spill any hot oil.

Now you have a perfectly deep-fried steak! You can serve it as is, or with gravy and sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, or hash browns. Enjoy your delicious, crispy steak!

Make the gravy

Now that your chicken fried steak is cooked and resting on a paper towel-lined plate, it's time to make the gravy. This will be a creamy, peppery, country-style gravy.

First, drain the fat from the skillet, reserving about 1/4 cup of the liquid and as many of the solid remnants as you can. Return the skillet to the heat and add the reserved oil. Whisk in the remaining flour and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the solids into the gravy.

Next, slowly add the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. You can also add some cream at this stage for an extra indulgent gravy. Increase the heat to medium and bring the gravy to a simmer. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the gravy reaches your desired thickness. This should take around 6-7 minutes.

Finally, season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the gravy over your chicken fried steaks and serve.

Serve

Once you've cooked your chicken fried steak, it's time to serve it. Chicken fried steak is a versatile dish that can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. For breakfast, it can be served with eggs and hash browns. For dinner, it goes well with mashed potatoes, green vegetables, or classic Southern sides.

If you're serving it for brunch or dinner, you might want to make a gravy to go with it. To make a gravy, pour the remaining grease into a heat-safe bowl or measuring cup. Add back 1/4 cup of the grease to the hot skillet and whisk in the flour. Cook for about a minute, slowly add in the milk, and whisk to blend. Heat the mixture until it thickens, then stir in salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the gravy over the individual steaks before serving, and enjoy!

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