Gabriella D'Agostino
Great Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Chicken fried steak is a classic American dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is made with tenderized steak that is breaded and fried until golden brown. The steak is then smothered in a rich gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
There are many different ways to make chicken fried steak, but this recipe is one of the best. The steak is marinated in buttermilk overnight, which helps to tenderize it and give it a delicious flavor. The breading is made with a combination of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings, which gives the steak a crispy exterior. The gravy is made with beef broth, milk, and flour, and it is seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs.
Chicken fried steak is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Here are a few tips for making the best chicken fried steak:
Tip 1: Use a good cut of steak. The best cuts of steak for chicken fried steak are top sirloin, chuck roast, or round steak. These cuts are tender and flavorful, and they will hold up well to the breading and frying process.Tip 2: Marinate the steak overnight. Marinating the steak in buttermilk overnight helps to tenderize it and give it a delicious flavor. If you don’t have time to marinate the steak overnight, you can marinate it for at least 30 minutes.Tip 3: Use a good breading. The breading is what gives chicken fried steak its crispy exterior. The best breading is made with a combination of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings. You can also add other ingredients to the breading, such as bread crumbs, crushed crackers, or grated Parmesan cheese.Tip 4: Fry the steak in hot oil. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when the steak is added. This will help to create a crispy crust on the steak.Tip 5: Don’t overcrowd the pan. When frying the steak, don’t overcrowd the pan. This will cause the oil temperature to drop, which will result in a soggy steak.Tip 6: Cook the steak to your desired doneness. The steak can be cooked to your desired doneness, but it is important to not overcook it. Overcooked steak will be tough and dry.Tip 7: Serve the steak with your favorite sides. Chicken fried steak can be served with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or cornbread.
Chicken fried steak is a delicious and hearty meal that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
Essential Aspects of a Great Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
Chicken fried steak is a classic American dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is made with tenderized steak that is breaded and fried until golden brown. The steak is then smothered in a rich gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
There are many different ways to make chicken fried steak, but there are seven key aspects that are essential to creating a great dish:
- Tender steak: The steak should be tender and flavorful. The best cuts of steak for chicken fried steak are top sirloin, chuck roast, or round steak.
- Buttermilk marinade: Marinating the steak in buttermilk overnight helps to tenderize it and give it a delicious flavor.
- Crispy breading: The breading is what gives chicken fried steak its crispy exterior. The best breading is made with a combination of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings.
- Hot oil: The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when the steak is added. This will help to create a crispy crust on the steak.
- Cooked to doneness: The steak should be cooked to your desired doneness, but it is important to not overcook it.
- Rich gravy: The gravy is what makes chicken fried steak so delicious. The best gravy is made with beef broth, milk, and flour.
- Classic sides: Chicken fried steak is traditionally served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
These seven key aspects are essential to creating a great chicken fried steak recipe. By following these tips, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Tender steak
The quality of the steak is one of the most important factors in making a great chicken fried steak. The steak should be tender and flavorful, and the best cuts of steak for this dish are top sirloin, chuck roast, or round steak. These cuts are all relatively tender and have a good amount of flavor. They will also hold up well to the breading and frying process.
If you use a tough cut of steak, it will be difficult to tenderize it, even with marinating. The steak will also be more likely to become dry and chewy when it is fried. So it is important to start with a good quality steak if you want to make a great chicken fried steak.
Here are some tips for choosing a good steak for chicken fried steak:
- Look for a steak that is at least 1 inch thick. This will ensure that the steak will be tender and juicy after it is cooked.
- Choose a steak that has a good amount of marbling. Marbling is the white fat that runs through the steak. It helps to keep the steak moist and flavorful.
- Avoid steaks that have a lot of connective tissue. Connective tissue can make the steak tough and chewy.
Once you have chosen a good steak, you can marinate it overnight in buttermilk. This will help to further tenderize the steak and give it a delicious flavor. After the steak has been marinated, it is ready to be breaded and fried.
By following these tips, you can choose a tender and flavorful steak that will make a great chicken fried steak.
Buttermilk marinade
Marinating the steak in buttermilk overnight is an essential step in making a great chicken fried steak. Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product that contains lactic acid, which helps to break down the connective tissue in the steak and make it more tender. The buttermilk also helps to add flavor to the steak, giving it a slightly tangy and savory taste.
In addition to tenderizing the steak, the buttermilk marinade also helps to create a crispy crust when the steak is fried. The lactic acid in the buttermilk helps to break down the proteins in the breading, which allows the breading to adhere to the steak more easily. This results in a crispy, golden brown crust that is full of flavor.
If you don’t have time to marinate the steak overnight, you can marinate it for at least 30 minutes. However, the longer you marinate the steak, the more tender and flavorful it will be. So if you have the time, it is definitely worth it to marinate the steak overnight.
Here is a simple recipe for a buttermilk marinade:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the steak to the bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Once the steak has been marinated, it is ready to be breaded and fried. Follow the recipe instructions for breading and frying the steak.
By marinating the steak in buttermilk overnight, you can create a tender and flavorful chicken fried steak that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Crispy breading
The breading is an essential component of a great chicken fried steak recipe. It is what gives the steak its crispy exterior and helps to seal in the juices. The best breading is made with a combination of flour, cornmeal, and seasonings. The flour helps to create a crispy crust, while the cornmeal adds a bit of texture and flavor. The seasonings can be customized to your own taste preferences.
- Ingredients: The most important ingredients in a good breading are flour, cornmeal, and seasonings. The flour helps to create a crispy crust, while the cornmeal adds a bit of texture and flavor. The seasonings can be customized to your own taste preferences. Some popular seasonings for chicken fried steak include salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Technique: The technique used to bread the steak is also important. The steak should be evenly coated in the breading, and the breading should be pressed into the steak so that it adheres. This will help to create a crispy crust that will stay on the steak during the frying process.
- Frying: The steak should be fried in hot oil. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when the steak is added. This will help to create a crispy crust on the steak. The steak should be fried for a few minutes per side, or until it is cooked through.
By following these tips, you can create a crispy and delicious breading for your chicken fried steak. This will help to create a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Hot oil
In the context of a great chicken fried steak recipe, the use of hot oil is essential for achieving a crispy crust on the steak. When the steak is added to the hot oil, the moisture on the surface of the steak evaporates rapidly, creating a layer of steam between the steak and the oil. This layer of steam prevents the steak from sticking to the pan and allows the crust to form. The hot oil also helps to seal in the juices of the steak, resulting in a tender and juicy interior.
If the oil is not hot enough when the steak is added, the steak will not sear properly and the crust will be soft and soggy. Conversely, if the oil is too hot, the steak will burn before the crust has a chance to form. Therefore, it is important to heat the oil to the correct temperature before adding the steak.
To test the temperature of the oil, you can drop a small piece of bread into the oil. If the bread sizzles and browns immediately, the oil is hot enough. You can also use a kitchen thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil. The ideal temperature for frying chicken fried steak is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your chicken fried steak has a crispy crust and a tender and juicy interior.
Conclusion:
Using hot oil is an essential step in creating a great chicken fried steak recipe. By heating the oil to the correct temperature and adding the steak when the oil is hot enough to sizzle, you can create a crispy crust that seals in the juices of the steak. This will result in a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Cooked to doneness
Cooking the steak to the correct doneness is essential for creating a great chicken fried steak recipe. Overcooked steak will be tough and dry, while undercooked steak will be chewy and unappetizing. The key is to cook the steak to your desired doneness, but to avoid overcooking it.
The best way to cook a steak to the correct doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the steak and cook the steak to the desired internal temperature. For chicken fried steak, the ideal internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the steak has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the steak, resulting in a more tender and flavorful piece of meat.
By following these tips, you can cook the steak to the perfect doneness and create a great chicken fried steak recipe.
Conclusion:
Cooking the steak to the correct doneness is an essential component of a great chicken fried steak recipe. By using a meat thermometer and cooking the steak to the desired internal temperature, you can avoid overcooking the steak and create a tender and flavorful dish.
Rich gravy
The gravy is an essential component of a great chicken fried steak recipe. It is what adds flavor and richness to the dish, and it helps to tie all of the other ingredients together. The best gravy is made with beef broth, milk, and flour. The beef broth provides a savory base, the milk adds richness and creaminess, and the flour helps to thicken the gravy and give it a smooth texture.
There are many different ways to make gravy, but the following recipe is a good starting point:
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the beef broth, milk, and flour.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
- Season the gravy to taste with salt and pepper.
Once the gravy is made, it can be poured over the chicken fried steak and served immediately. The gravy can also be used to make chicken fried steak sandwiches or to top other dishes, such as mashed potatoes or rice.
Conclusion:
The gravy is an essential component of a great chicken fried steak recipe. It adds flavor and richness to the dish, and it helps to tie all of the other ingredients together. By following the tips in this article, you can make a delicious gravy that will take your chicken fried steak to the next level.
Classic sides
Chicken fried steak is a classic American dish that is typically served with mashed potatoes and green beans. This combination of flavors and textures is a perfect complement to the crispy, flavorful steak. The mashed potatoes provide a creamy base, while the green beans add a bit of freshness and crunch.
In addition to being a delicious side dish, mashed potatoes and green beans also help to round out the meal nutritionally. Mashed potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, while green beans are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Together, these sides provide a balanced meal that is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
If you are looking for a great chicken fried steak recipe, be sure to include mashed potatoes and green beans as the sides. This classic combination is sure to make your meal a hit.
Conclusion:
Mashed potatoes and green beans are the perfect classic sides for chicken fried steak. They provide a delicious and nutritious complement to the main dish, and they help to round out the meal. When you are making chicken fried steak, be sure to include these classic sides to create a truly satisfying meal.
A great chicken fried steak recipe results in a crispy, flavorful steak that is juicy and tender on the inside. It is typically made with a cube steak that is dredged in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, then pan-fried until golden brown. The steak is then smothered in a rich gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Chicken fried steak is a popular dish in the United States, and it is often served in diners and restaurants. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering. There are many different variations on the recipe, but the basic ingredients and cooking methods remain the same.
The key to a great chicken fried steak recipe is to use high-quality ingredients and to cook the steak properly. The steak should be tender and flavorful, and the breading should be crispy and well-seasoned. The gravy should be rich and flavorful, and it should complement the steak and the sides.
FAQs about Great Chicken Fried Steak Recipes
Chicken fried steak is a classic American dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering. However, there are some common questions that people have about making chicken fried steak. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Question 1: What is the best cut of steak to use for chicken fried steak?
Answer: The best cut of steak to use for chicken fried steak is a cube steak. Cube steak is a type of beef that has been mechanically tenderized, which makes it very tender and flavorful. Other good cuts of steak to use include top sirloin, chuck steak, or round steak.
Question 2: How do I make sure the breading sticks to the steak?
Answer: To make sure the breading sticks to the steak, you need to dredge the steak in flour, then eggs, and then breadcrumbs. The flour will help the eggs to adhere to the steak, and the breadcrumbs will create a crispy crust. Be sure to press the breading into the steak so that it adheres well.
Question 3: What is the best way to cook chicken fried steak?
Answer: The best way to cook chicken fried steak is to pan-fry it in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the steak for 3-4 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and cooked through. Be sure to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your steak.
Question 4: What is the best way to make gravy for chicken fried steak?
Answer: The best way to make gravy for chicken fried steak is to use the pan drippings from the steak. Add some flour to the pan drippings and whisk to combine. Then, gradually whisk in milk until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Season the gravy to taste with salt and pepper.
Question 5: What are the best side dishes to serve with chicken fried steak?
Answer: The best side dishes to serve with chicken fried steak are mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread. These classic sides complement the flavors of the chicken fried steak perfectly.
Question 6: Can I make chicken fried steak ahead of time?
Answer: Yes, you can make chicken fried steak ahead of time. Simply cook the steak according to the recipe and then let it cool completely. Store the steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, reheat the steak in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until it is warmed through.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about making chicken fried steak. With a little practice, you can make a delicious and flavorful chicken fried steak that your family and friends will love.
Summary of key takeaways or final thought:
Chicken fried steak is a classic American dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering. By following the tips in this article, you can make a delicious and flavorful chicken fried steak that your family and friends will love.
Transition to the next article section:
Now that you know how to make a great chicken fried steak, here are some additional tips and recipes that you can use to make your next meal even better.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the key elements of a great chicken fried steak recipe. We have discussed the importance of using high-quality ingredients, cooking the steak properly, and making a flavorful gravy. We have also provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about making chicken fried steak.
With a little practice, you can make a delicious and flavorful chicken fried steak that your family and friends will love. So what are you waiting for? Give our recipe a try today!
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