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A classic Southern comfort dish—tender cube steak coated in a seasoned flour batter, fried to a golden crisp, and kept perfectly crunchy using a low‑heat oven and paper‑towel lined foil pan. Cowboy Kent Rollins shares his proven tips to avoid soggy crusts, so you can serve restaurant‑quality chicken fried steak at home.
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Everything you need to know about this recipe
Chicken Fried Steak originated in the American South as a way to stretch inexpensive beef cuts by breading and frying them like chicken. It became a staple comfort food, often served with creamy gravy at family gatherings and diners.
In Texas, the steak is typically coated with a seasoned flour batter and served with a rich, peppery white gravy. Some variations add crushed cornflakes for extra crunch, while others use buttermilk in the batter for extra tenderness.
It is usually plated hot, topped with a creamy white pepper gravy, and accompanied by mashed potatoes, green beans, or a simple side salad. The dish is often enjoyed for lunch or dinner with a cold sweet tea.
Chicken Fried Steak is a common feature at family Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, and community potlucks in the South. Its hearty nature makes it a favorite for comfort during cooler months.
The dish combines the tenderness of beef with the crispy, seasoned crust of fried chicken, creating a comforting contrast of textures. Its signature white gravy adds a velvety finish that is uniquely Southern.
Common errors include using oil that isn’t hot enough (resulting in a soggy crust), overcrowding the pan (which lowers oil temperature), and covering the finished steaks, which traps steam and softens the breading.
The low‑heat oven (170°C/340°F) keeps the steaks warm without creating steam. Covering them would cause the crust to sweat and lose its crunch, which Cowboy Kent Rollins specifically warns against.
Yes. Fry the steaks, then place them in a foil pan with paper towels and bread slices, and keep them in a 170°C oven for up to 30 minutes. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to restore crispness.
The crust should be deep golden‑brown, firm to the touch, and crackle slightly when pressed. Inside, the meat should be tender and pink‑red, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Cowboy Kent Rollins focuses on authentic Texas and Western cooking, sharing cowboy‑style recipes, outdoor grilling techniques, and hearty comfort foods rooted in ranch and frontier traditions.
Cowboy Kent Rollins emphasizes rustic, no‑frills preparation, often cooking over open flames or in cast‑iron cookware, and he shares practical tips—like the oven‑keep‑crispy method—for preserving texture that many studio‑style channels overlook.
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