Chicken Fried Steak Southern Classic (Printer-Friendly)

Crispy breaded steak topped with homemade creamy white gravy, a beloved Southern comfort dish perfect for hearty dinners.

# What You Need:

→ For the Steak

01 - 4 beef cube steaks (about 5–6 oz each)
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 1 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1 tsp onion powder
08 - 1 tsp paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ For the Creamy White Gravy

13 - 3 tbsp pan drippings (from frying) or unsalted butter
14 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
15 - 2 cups whole milk
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ For the Garnish

17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat the cube steaks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: first bowl with flour mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper; second bowl with beaten eggs and 1/2 cup milk; third bowl with breadcrumbs.
03 - Dredge each steak thoroughly in seasoned flour, dip into egg mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure even coverage.
04 - Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to reach approximately 1/2 inch depth. Heat over medium-high heat until shimmering.
05 - Cook steaks in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and keep warm.
06 - Pour off all but 3 tablespoons oil from the skillet. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute over medium heat to create a roux.
07 - Gradually whisk in milk while scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom. Continue whisking for 3–5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Plate the fried steaks immediately, topped generously with creamy white gravy and garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the shatteringly crisp coating and the tender, seasoned steak inside is pure comfort food magic
  • Making your own creamy white gravy from the pan drippings transforms ordinary flour and milk into something extraordinary
  • This recipe works beautifully for feeding a hungry crowd, and everyone always goes back for seconds
02 -
  • Letting the breaded steaks rest for ten minutes before frying helps the coating adhere better, preventing those frustrating moments where the breading peels off
  • Maintaining consistent oil temperature is crucial, if it gets too hot the crust will burn before the steak cooks through
  • The gravy will continue to thicken off the heat, so remove it from the stove when it looks slightly thinner than your desired consistency
03 -
  • Ask your butcher to run the cube steaks through the tenderizer twice for extra fork-tender results
  • Season each steak with a little salt before breading for layers of flavor throughout
  • If your gravy gets too thick, whisk in additional milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency
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