The Pioneer Woman Chicken Fried Steak Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken-fried steak? ›

Pat the Steak Dry: Before coating the steak with flour or batter, pat it dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the surface of the meat can prevent the breading from sticking. Season and Flour the Steak Properly: Season the steak with salt and pepper before dredging it in flour.

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.

Don't let steaks touch when frying two at a time; steam develops making the crust soggy. Monitor oil temperature. The secret is cooking quickly. When steaks are added, oil temperature drops.

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.

Evenly-breaded fried chicken is best coated with a buttermilk mixture, then coated in a dry breading before frying. Now, that's no mystery, but what you might not know is that it's important to allow the chicken to rest before frying so the coating has a chance to hydrate and get a little sticky.

Chicken fried steak is high in calories, fat, and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure. Moreover, the added gravy can further increase the calorie and fat content of the dish, making it a less than ideal choice for those trying to maintain a healthy diet.

Chicken-fried steak, also known as country-fried steak, is an American breaded cutlet dish consisting of a piece of beefsteak (most often tenderized cube steak) coated with seasoned flour and either deep-fried or pan-fried. It is sometimes associated with the Southern cuisine of the United States.

Chicken Fried Steak gets its name from the breading used on the outside of the steak before it's fried in the same manner as traditional fried chicken — but instead of chicken, a tenderized piece of beef steak is used instead.

But the acid in milk is so mild that you can soak beef in it long enough to tenderize it effectively, without damaging the proteins on the surface. The calcium-rich properties of milk react with enzymes in the meat to gently soften the proteins.

The main difference is that country gravy does not have sausage. Country gravy uses butter to make its roux, while sausage gravy uses the rendered fat from the meat, cooked with flour, to thicken the gravy. Check out Ree Drummond's recipe for country gravy which she serves alongside chicken fried steak.

Is country-fried steak the same as Salisbury? ›

What's more, country-fried steak is breaded and fried, whereas Salisbury steak is just pan-fried in a little oil. Breading and frying a cube steak locks in the flavor. It's the best comfort food and a popular Southern-style breakfast, usually served with eggs and biscuits.

Use oil that is hot—oil that is not hot enough will decrease your chances of a crispy coating. The breading may absorb the oil and become soggy and greasy. For these recipes, the steak may still be a little pink inside because it's beef, but to get a golden crust, the steak will cook to at least medium well.

If you cook meat (any meat ) in high, dry heat for a prolonged period, it will toughen up. The fat will have dissolved and ooze out, the proteins denatured, but the collagen hasn't melted away. If you sear meat briefly in high heat you get browning on the outside, while the inside is still soft.

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.

Seal the plate gently with a length or two of plastic cling wrap. Don't pull it too tight, but make sure that all of the edges are sealed. Place the plate into the refrigerator and let the food sit for at least 60 minutes. This helps the coating to harden a bit, which will keep it on the food.

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.