Chicken-fried steak facts for kids
Chicken-fried steak smothered in cream gravy with sides of mashed potatoes, fried okra and a dinner roll
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | West Texas/Oklahoma |
| Created by | Multiple claims |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Tenderized cube steak, flour |
Chicken-fried steak, also called country-fried steak or CFS, is a popular American dish. It is made from a piece of beefsteak, usually a tenderized cube steak. The steak is covered in seasoned flour and then either deep-fried or pan-fried.
This dish is often linked to the Southern cuisine of the United States. It gets its name "chicken-fried" because it's breaded and cooked much like fried chicken. If it's deep-fried, people usually call it "chicken-fried steak." If it's pan-fried, it's often called "country fried steak."
Chicken-fried steak is similar to some European dishes. For example, the Austrian dish Wiener schnitzel and the Italian dish cotoletta alla milanese are also breaded and fried meat cutlets.
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History of Chicken-Fried Steak
The exact beginnings of chicken-fried steak are not fully known. Many believe it was created by German and Austrian immigrants who came to Texas in the 1800s. They brought recipes for Wiener schnitzel from Europe.
The town of Lamesa in Texas claims to be where chicken-fried steak was first made. They even have a special celebration every year for it.
One of the earliest recipes for a dish like chicken-fried steak appeared in a cookbook called The Virginia Housewife. This book was published in 1838 by Mary Randolph. By the late 1800s, recipes for what we now know as chicken-fried steak were in many local cookbooks.
The first time the words "chicken-fried steak" were seen in print was in a newspaper ad. It was in the Gazette newspaper in Colorado Springs on June 19, 1914.
In 1988, chicken-fried steak became one of the official state dishes of Oklahoma.
How Chicken-Fried Steak is Made
Making chicken-fried steak starts with a thin piece of beefsteak. This steak is made tender by pounding it or using a special tool to make small cuts (cubing).
Next, the steak is dipped in an egg mixture or buttermilk. Then, it's covered in flour that has salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
- Chicken-fried steak is usually deep-fried and served with a creamy white gravy.
- Country fried steak is typically pan-fried in a skillet and served with a brown gravy.
Traditionally, people used shortening to fry the steak. Sometimes butter or lard were used too. Today, many cooks use vegetable oil because it's seen as a healthier choice.
Sometimes, the breading can come off the meat while cooking. To prevent this, you can dip the meat in flour first, then the egg or buttermilk, and then in flour again. Letting it sit for about 30 minutes before cooking can also help the breading stick better.
The cuts of steak used are usually less expensive ones. These include cube steak, chuck, round steak, and sometimes flank steak.
Serving Chicken-Fried Steak
Chicken-fried steak is often served for lunch or dinner. It's usually topped with cream gravy. Sides often include mashed potatoes, vegetables, and biscuits or Texas toast.
In the Midwest, people sometimes eat chicken-fried steak for breakfast. It might come with toast and hash browns.
You can also find chicken-fried steak served in other ways:
- As a "chicken-fried steak sandwich" on a hamburger bun with cream gravy.
- Cut into cubes and put inside a baked potato with gravy and cheese.
- Cut into strips, breaded, and deep-fried. These are called "finger steaks" or "steak fingers." They are popular in Idaho and can be served for breakfast with eggs and toast, or with fries and cream gravy for other meals.
Different Kinds of Chicken-Fried Steak
In Texas and nearby states, chicken-fried steak is usually deep-fried or fried in a lot of oil in a pan. It's served with a traditional peppered milk gravy.
When the dish is pan-fried, it might be called "country fried steak." While some recipes use the same peppered milk gravy for country fried steak, a different brown gravy is also common. This brown gravy is made from beef stock and onions. This difference in gravy is often what sets the two dishes apart in areas where both are served.
See also
In Spanish: Chicken fried steak para niños
