Craving a hearty and comforting meal? Chicken fried steak is a classic Southern dish that combines tender cube steak with a crispy, flavorful coating. Perfect for a family dinner or a special treat, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you don't usually keep buttermilk or cube steak in your kitchen, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and helps tenderize the meat, while cube steak is a tenderized cut of beef that is essential for achieving the right texture.

Ingredients for Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Cube steak: Tenderized cuts of beef that are essential for the dish's texture.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the crispy coating.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the steak.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the seasoning.
Garlic powder: Infuses the coating with a subtle garlic flavor.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the meat.
Eggs: Helps the coating adhere to the steak.
Vegetable oil: Used for frying the steaks to a golden brown.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When dredging the cube steak in the flour mixture, make sure to press the flour firmly onto the meat to create a thick, even coating. This helps achieve a crispy, golden crust when frying. Additionally, let the coated steaks rest for a few minutes before frying to allow the breading to adhere better, reducing the chance of it falling off during cooking.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
tenderized cube steak - Substitute with pork cutlets: Pork cutlets are similarly tender and can be breaded and fried in the same manner as cube steak.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can provide a slightly nuttier flavor and is a bit healthier, though it may alter the texture slightly.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor with an additional umami depth, though it will add moisture to the breading process.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, which can add a unique twist to the dish.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder provides a similar savory depth, though with a slightly different flavor.
buttermilk - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can mimic the tanginess and thickness of buttermilk, though it may need to be thinned with a bit of water or milk.
large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water per egg) can act as a binding agent, though they will add a slight nutty flavor.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a similar high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for frying.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
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.
- Place the cooled steaks in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store the wrapped steaks in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure they are kept at a consistent temperature to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, consider freezing. Wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of how long they've been stored.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the steaks in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
- Reheat in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain the crispy coating.
- Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.
- Serve with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, gravy, or green beans to enjoy a meal that tastes freshly made.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the chicken fried steak on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Cover the steak loosely with another piece of foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Heat for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even reheating.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to regain some crispiness.
Skillet Method:
- Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken fried steak.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until heated through and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the chicken fried steak in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even reheating.
- Check for desired crispiness and heat; add a couple more minutes if necessary.
Microwave Method:
- Place the chicken fried steak on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
- If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until hot.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the chicken fried steak on the toaster oven tray.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For extra crispiness, turn on the broil setting for the last 2-3 minutes.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Shallow bowl: Use this to mix the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together.
Another bowl: This is for whisking together the buttermilk and eggs.
Whisk: Essential for combining the buttermilk and eggs smoothly.
Skillet: Heat the oil in this to fry the steaks.
Tongs: Handy for turning the steaks while frying to ensure even cooking.
Paper towels: Use these to drain the excess oil from the fried steaks.
Plate: Place the steaks on this after frying and draining.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the flour, buttermilk, and oil.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Fork: Useful for dredging the steaks in the flour mixture.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and mix the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use a large skillet: A larger skillet allows you to fry multiple steaks at once, reducing overall cooking time.
Preheat the oil: Ensure the oil is hot before you start frying to achieve a quick and even cook.
Double dredge efficiently: Set up a dredging station with the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture side by side for a smoother workflow.
Drain properly: Use a cooling rack over paper towels to drain excess oil quickly and keep the steaks crispy.

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Ingredients
Steak and Breading
- 4 pieces Cube steak tenderized
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 cup Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- 2. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs.
- 3. Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, and dredge again in the flour mixture.
- 4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry 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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