Chicken-Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Chicken-fried steak is the ultimate comfort food—a crispy, golden-brown breaded steak smothered in rich, creamy gravy, served alongside buttery mashed potatoes. This Southern classic is hearty, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a special occasion, this step-by-step guide will help you create the perfect chicken-fried steak with fluffy mashed potatoes and homemade gravy.

Ingredients

For the Chicken-Fried Steak:

✔ 4 cube steaks (tenderized beef steaks)
✔ 2 cups all-purpose flour
✔ 1 teaspoon salt
✔ 1 teaspoon black pepper
✔ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
✔ 1 teaspoon onion powder
✔ 1 teaspoon paprika
✔ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
✔ 2 large eggs
✔ ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
✔ 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Mashed Potatoes:

✔ 4 large russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
✔ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
✔ ½ cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
✔ Salt and black pepper, to taste
✔ ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

For the Country Gravy:

✔ ¼ cup pan drippings (from frying the steak)
✔ ¼ cup all-purpose flour
✔ 2 cups whole milk
✔ Salt and black pepper, to taste
✔ ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Steaks

Season the meat – Pat the cube steaks dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with a little salt and pepper.
Set up a breading station – In one shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a separate dish, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk.
Dredge the steaks – First, coat each steak in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it into the egg-buttermilk mixture, and finally coat it again in the flour mixture. Press the flour onto the steak to ensure a crispy crust.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken-Fried Steak

Heat the oil – In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
Fry the steaks – Carefully place each steak into the hot oil and fry for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Drain the steaks – Remove from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

📌 Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil temperature stable and maintain crispiness!

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