Oven Chicken Fried Steak Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

How to get breading to stick to chicken-fried steak? ›

Another important tip is to place the breaded meat onto a sheet pan, cover and place back in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before frying. This will firmly adhere the breading onto the meat and help keep it from falling of when frying. You want to use a heavy skillet, like an iron skillet for even frying.

Use hot oil.

If your oil isn't hot enough before you add the steaks, the breading can fall off of the steaks because the eggs (the “glue”) don't cook instantly. It can also cause oily, gummy chicken fried steak because the breading soaks up the oil instead of becoming crispy upon contact.

Coat steak well in egg mixture, lift steak, letting excess egg drain off, then transfer to seasoned buttermilk-flour mixture. Coat steak well, pressing seasoned flour all over to help it adhere to the meat. Lift steak, shake off excess flour, and transfer to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining steaks.

You want to cook your steaks in oil that is precisely 375°F (191°C), and though it's ok if your steak gets pretty close to well done, you should look for an internal steak temperature of 145°F (63°C)—the border line between medium and medium well. Enter the Thermapen IR.

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

When it comes to breading meat, most breading procedures are basically the same. But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

The main difference between country-fried steak and chicken-fried steak is the gravy. Country-fried steak is slathered in brown gravy, whereas chicken-fried steak uses a white, peppery gravy. However, this distinction is not entirely set in stone as different restaurants will serve both with the same gravy.

As for the origin of the name, it is generally agreed that the term is referencing the style of cooking. A “chicken fried steak” is prepared similarly to traditional fried chicken. That is, you season flour, prep the meat with egg before battering it, and fry it in oil.

Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make ahead: The steaks can be made ahead and kept warm in a 200-degree oven one hour in advance (cover tightly with foil to prevent them from drying out). Spicy: If you love heat, serve your Chicken Fried Steak with plenty of hot sauce or Tabasco.

Can chicken-fried steak be a little pink? ›

If your steak is a little pink inside, that's OK, as long as the internal temperature of the steak is at least 160°. But the steak should be only 1/4 inch thick, and that should cook so quickly that the interior should have no pink in it by the time the coating has crisped up and turned golden.

USDA Choice steak fried and topped with Sawmill Gravy.

The main culprit for breading that won't adhere is meat that is too wet. Try patting the steaks dry with paper towels before dipping them into the egg mixture. Adding a little Parmesan cheese to the mix can help the breading stick together while also keeping it from falling off the steaks.

Meat is not properly dry

Most home cooks often struggle with getting the breading part right because they do not let their meat dry properly. If the meat is wet, it will make the flour soggy. In that case, breading will not stick properly and may fall off when deep frying.

Remember to always rest the seasoned meat for 5-10 minutes before breading. This promotes better adhesion of the breading and allows the seasoning to stick to infuse the meat instead of being absorbed by the breading. Consistency is key when frying breaded cube steak.