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Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

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A Southern classic, this chicken fried steak is pan-fried to golden, crispy perfection, then blanketed in rich, peppery cream gravy. With its crunchy coating and tender beef inside, it’s a comforting crowd-pleaser perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • For the steak:
  • 4 cube steaks (about 1/3 lb each)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 2 tsp kosher salt or sea salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tsp TABASCO® Sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for shallow frying)
  • For the cream gravy:
  • 4 tbsp pan grease
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2–3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and baking powder.
  2. In a second bowl, whisk buttermilk, TABASCO® Sauce, and eggs.
  3. Pat steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides with the remaining salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes and pat dry again.
  4. Dredge steaks in the flour mixture, then the buttermilk-egg mixture, and again in flour. Press flour mixture firmly into the steaks. Let coated steaks rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 225–250°F to keep cooked steaks warm.
  6. Heat about 1/4-inch vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (320–340°F).
  7. Fry steaks two at a time for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Avoid flipping more than once. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in oven.
  8. To make the gravy: In the same skillet, reserve 4 tbsp of the cooking grease. Whisk in 4 tbsp flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden.
  9. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk and cream, stirring constantly until thickened. Add more milk to reach desired consistency. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
  10. Pour gravy over warm steaks and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature for optimal crispiness.
  • Letting the coating rest helps it adhere better during frying.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, or biscuits for a full Southern meal.
  • Substitute hot sauce of choice if TABASCO® isn’t available.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/chicken-fried-steak-with-cream-gravy/