Southern Comfort Chicken Fried Steak with Creamy Peppered Gravy
Indulge in the ultimate Southern comfort dish with this Southern Comfort Chicken Fried Steak. Tender cube steaks are seasoned to perfection, coated in a crispy, golden crust, and served with a rich, creamy peppered gravy. This classic recipe is a family favorite, especially when paired with fluffy mashed potatoes and warm, buttery biscuits. Each bite brings you the traditional flavors of Texas, making it a cozy dinner option that satisfies hearty appetites. Perfect for gatherings, this dish will have everyone asking for seconds!
4
Servings
353
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef steaks (cube steak)
4 (tenderized (4 ounces each))
egg
1 (beaten)
milk
1/4 (cup)
all-purpose flour
as needed (for dredging)
cooking oil or melted Crisco
as needed (for frying)
salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
black pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
paprika
1/4 (teaspoon)
white pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg and milk until well combined. Set aside.
2
In a separate small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, paprika, and white pepper. Generously sprinkle the spice mixture on both sides of the cube steaks to infuse them with flavor.
3
Using a plastic zip lock bag, add a generous amount of all-purpose flour. Carefully place each seasoned steak into the bag, sealing it and shaking gently to coat thoroughly. Transfer the steaks to a shallow dish, allowing any excess flour to fall away.
4
Set the dredged cutlets aside on a piece of waxed paper while you prepare the oil.
5
In a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, heat cooking oil (or melted Crisco) over medium-high heat, ensuring the oil is about half an inch deep. Test the heat by dropping a small splash of water into the oil; it should pop and sizzle when ready.
6
Using a long-handled fork, carefully place each breaded cutlet into the hot oil, taking care to avoid splatters. Fry the cutlets for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they achieve a beautiful golden brown color. Once both sides are crispy, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let them cook for another 4-5 minutes to ensure they are cooked through. Remove the cutlets from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
7
For the Cream Gravy: After removing the cutlets, pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of oil from the skillet, preserving the flavorful browned bits at the bottom.
8
Over medium heat, sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of the reserved seasoned flour from the frying process. Stir quickly with a wooden spoon to brown the flour for about 1-2 minutes.
9
Gradually whisk in the combined 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup water, stirring continuously to eliminate lumps. Adjust the heat to low as the gravy begins to thicken. Continue stirring for an additional few minutes until the gravy reaches your desired consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
10
Serve the Chicken Fried Steak hot, generously topped with the creamy peppered gravy, alongside creamy mashed potatoes and warm biscuits.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
24g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Comfort Chicken Fried Steak?
It is a classic Southern dish featuring tender cube steaks seasoned, breaded in a crispy golden crust, and served with a rich, creamy peppered gravy.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What kind of meat is best for chicken fried steak?
The recipe calls for 4 beef cube steaks, each weighing approximately 4 ounces and tenderized.
What spices are used to season the steaks?
The seasoning mixture includes salt, black pepper, paprika, and white pepper.
How do you prepare the egg wash for breading?
Beat together one egg and 1/4 cup of milk in a mixing bowl until well combined.
What is the best way to coat the steaks in flour?
Place all-purpose flour in a plastic zip lock bag, add the seasoned steaks, seal the bag, and shake gently to coat them thoroughly.
What type of oil is recommended for frying?
You can use standard cooking oil or melted Crisco for frying the steaks.
How deep should the frying oil be in the skillet?
The oil should be about half an inch deep in a large cast-iron or heavy skillet.
How can I tell if the oil is hot enough for frying?
Test the heat by dropping a small splash of water into the oil; it should pop and sizzle when it is ready.
How long should each side of the steak be fried?
Fry the steaks for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are a golden brown color.
Do I need to cover the skillet while cooking the steaks?
Yes, after browning both sides, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Where should the steaks be placed after frying?
Remove the cutlets from the skillet and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
How do I start making the Creamy Peppered Gravy?
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the skillet, keeping the flavorful browned bits at the bottom.
What flour is used to thicken the gravy?
Use 3 tablespoons of the reserved seasoned flour that was used for dredging the steaks.
How long should I brown the flour for the gravy?
Stir the flour quickly with a wooden spoon for about 1-2 minutes until it browns.
What liquids are added to the gravy mixture?
Gradually whisk in a combination of 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup water.
How do I prevent lumps in the gravy?
Whisk the liquids in gradually and stir continuously to eliminate lumps as the gravy thickens.
What are the suggested side dishes for this meal?
This dish is traditionally served with fluffy mashed potatoes and warm, buttery biscuits.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 353 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this meal provide?
This dish provides 19 grams of protein per serving.
Does this recipe use white pepper?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper is included in the seasoning for authentic flavor.
Can I use a cast-iron skillet for this recipe?
Yes, a large cast-iron skillet is highly recommended for achieving an even fry and a good sear.
Is paprika used in the seasoning?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika is used to add flavor and color to the meat.
How many total ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 9 primary ingredients used in this recipe.
Is the gravy seasoned separately?
The gravy uses seasoned flour from the dredging process and can be further seasoned with additional salt and pepper to taste at the end.
Is this dish considered Texas-style?
Yes, it is described as capturing the traditional flavors of Texas comfort food.
What is the purpose of dredging the steak in flour?
Dredging creates the signature crispy, golden-brown crust that characterizes chicken fried steak.
Should the gravy be thick or thin?
The recipe suggests stirring until the gravy reaches your desired consistency, typically a rich and creamy texture.