Best Alton Browns Chicken Fried Steak Recipes

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CHICKEN FRIED STEAK



Chicken Fried Steak image

Thin, crispy, and topped with a classic pan gravy, chicken fried steak is the unofficial state dish of Texas, and it's based on Wiener schnitzel. How did a nice little German cutlet become the cornerstone of Lone Star cuisine? Cultural adaptation. During the nineteenth century, thousands of Germans emigrated into the Hill Country of central Texas, and when they got there, they found there was lots of beef, but very little veal. So, they just adapted their Wiener schnitzel recipe by tenderizing tougher cuts of meat. Even the light gravy they put on their chicken fried steak has roots in German cuisine in the form of ramen schnitzel, a fried cutlet with a cream sauce. Over time, chuck wagon cooks started making it, which resulted in the myriad varieties we have today. This recipe first appeared in Season 10 of Good Eats.Photo by Lynne Calamia

Provided by Level Agency

Categories     Mains

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds beef bottom round, trimmed of excess fat
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 250ºF.
  • Cut the meat with the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Season each piece on both sides with the salt and pepper. Put the flour in a pie pan. Put the eggs in a separate pie pan. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour. Tenderize the meat, using a needling device, until each slice is 1/4-inch thick. Once tenderized, dredge the meat again in the flour, followed by the egg, and finally in the flour again. Repeat with all the pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
  • Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch slope-sided skillet and set over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks to a wire rack set in a half sheet pan and place in the oven. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining vegetable oil to the pan, (enough so that you have about a tablespoon and a half total). Whisk in 4 tablespoons of the leftover dredge flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the broth until thoroughly combined and cook until the gravy comes to a bare simmer and begins to thicken. until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and thyme keep whisking until the gravy falls off a spoon like a ribon (piling up a bit on the surface before smoothing out), 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste (I always go with more gravy), and serve the gravy over the steaks.
  • Tip: if you can't serve right away keep the steaks warm in a low oven and the gravy snug inside your favorite thermos.

PERFECT CHICKEN FRIED STEAK WITH CLASSIC BROWN GRAVY



Perfect Chicken Fried Steak With Classic Brown Gravy image

Make and share this Perfect Chicken Fried Steak With Classic Brown Gravy recipe from Food.com.

Provided by dogsinatub

Categories     Steak

Time 30m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 -4 cubed round steaks (you can always use a better cut of beef if you so choose)
2 cups flour
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper
1/2 large onion, diced
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups beef stock
1/4 cup cream
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • salt and pepper both sides of the meat. mix flour, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder and coat both sides of each steak with flour mixture. now dip each steak in egg wash on both sides. finally put back in flour mixture on both sides again. fry in 350 degree oil browned on each side. you can either pan fry with or deep fry. it's your choice. both methods turn out fantastic! fry until deep golden brown. let rest for a few moments on a paper towel.
  • for the gravy -.
  • brown onion in butter until caramelized. add flour and whisk for a few minutes until rawness is out of flour. now add beef stock and whisk until it starts to thicken up. simmer for 10 minutes. add cream and mix throughout and pour over chicken fried steaks and enjoy. this is an excellent recipe and i think you'll agree.
  • ***if you want to have more of a traditional white pepper gravy, use whole milk instead of beef stock. still add the cream and add more pepper.
  • enjoy!

ALTON BROWN'S CHICKEN FRIED STEAK



Alton Brown's Chicken Fried Steak image

A Classic Dish.

Provided by Brandy Bender

Categories     Steaks and Chops

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 lb beef bottom round, trimmed of excess fat
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 c all-purpose flour
3 whole eggs, beaten
2 c chicken broth
1/4 c vegetable oil
1/2 c whole milk
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  • 2. Cut the meat with the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Season each piece on both sides with the salt and pepper. Place the flour into a pie pan. Place the eggs into a separate pie pan. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour. Tenderize the meat, using a needling device, until each slice is 1/4-inch thick. Once tenderized, dredge the meat again in the flour, followed by the egg and finally in the flour again. Repeat with all the pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
  • 3. Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch slope-sided skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks to a wire rack set in a half sheet pan and place into the oven. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
  • 4. Add the remaining vegetable oil, or at least 1 tablespoon, to the pan. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the flour left over from the dredging. Add the chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Whisk until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and thyme and whisk until the gravy coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the gravy over the steaks.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK



Chicken Fried Steak image

Chicken Fried Steak, from Alton Brown: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/chicken-fried-steak-recipe/index.html

Provided by Only1pinuchi

Categories     Steak

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 lbs beef bottom round steaks, trimmed of excess fat, pounded
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 whole eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leave

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  • Cut the meat with the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Season each piece on both sides with the salt and pepper. Place the flour into a pie pan. Place the eggs into a separate pie pan. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour. Tenderize the meat, using a needling device, until each slice is 1/4-inch thick. Once tenderized, dredge the meat again in the flour, followed by the egg and finally in the flour again. Repeat with all the pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
  • Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch slope-sided skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks to a wire rack set in a half sheet pan and place into the oven. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
  • Add the remaining vegetable oil, or at least 1 tablespoon, to the pan. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the flour left over from the dredging. Add the chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Whisk until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and thyme and whisk until the gravy coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the gravy over the steaks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 822.8, Fat 52.7, SaturatedFat 16.7, Cholesterol 306.8, Sodium 1444, Carbohydrate 26.4, Fiber 1, Sugar 2.3, Protein 57

Overview

Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipes have become a popular dish in recent years. This classic Southern dish is a favorite among many, and Alton Brown's recipe adds even more flavor and technique to the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipe includes a few key ingredients that give it its unique flavor and texture. These ingredients include:
Flour
The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which is used to coat the steak before frying. The flour helps to create a crispy outer layer and also helps the steak to cook evenly.
Egg
To make the outer layer stick to the steak, the recipe calls for an egg to be beaten and used as a binder.
Buttermilk
This ingredient is the secret to the perfect texture of Alton Brown's chicken fried steak. Buttermilk is a slightly acidic ingredient that helps to tenderize the meat and add tangy flavor.
Seasonings
There are a variety of seasonings used in Alton Brown's recipe, including salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. These add a depth of flavor and complexity to the dish.
Oil
The recipe calls for vegetable oil to be used for frying. This neutral-flavored oil has a high smoke point, which makes it ideal for frying at high temperatures.

Technique

The key to Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipe is in the technique used to cook the meat. The steps involved are as follows:
Tenderize the steak
Before cooking, the recipe calls for the steak to be pounded with a meat tenderizer. This helps to break down the fibers of the meat and make it tender.
Season the meat
Next, the steak is seasoned with a mixture of salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. This seasoning adds flavor to the meat.
Coat the meat in flour, egg, and buttermilk
To create the crispy outer layer, the steak is first coated in flour, then dipped in egg, and finally coated in buttermilk. This process helps the outer layer to stick to the steak and also adds flavor and texture.
Fry the steak
The final step is to fry the steak in hot oil until it is golden brown and crispy on the outside. This step requires careful attention to ensure that the meat is cooked evenly and to the correct doneness.

Conclusion

Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipe is a classic Southern dish that has been elevated to new heights with his unique technique and use of ingredients. The combination of flour, egg, buttermilk, and seasonings along with the careful frying technique results in a crispy and flavor-packed dish that is hard to resist. Whether enjoyed with mashed potatoes, green beans, or other classic sides, it is sure to be a hit with anyone who tries it.
Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipe has been a popular choice for people looking to enjoy this southern dish at home. The dish is easy to make and can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. However, there are certain tips that can help you make the perfect chicken fried steak using Alton Brown's recipe.

Tip 1: Choosing the Right Meat

Choosing the right meat is important when making chicken fried steak. Ideally, you should use cube steak, which is a cut of beef that has been tenderized by pounding. It is important to note that not all stores carry cube steak, but you can make your own by lightly pounding the meat with a meat mallet until it is thin.

Tip 2: Preparing the Meat

Once you have the right meat, preparing it correctly is crucial. Before you start cooking, it is important to season the meat with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This will enhance the flavor of the meat and give it a much-needed kick.
Tip 2.1: Marinade
Another option is to marinate the meat overnight in buttermilk. This will not only tenderize the meat further but also give it a tangy flavor that complements the dish.

Tip 3: Coating the Meat

Coating the meat is an essential step when making chicken fried steak. You will need to prepare a dry mixture of flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. It is important to mix these ingredients well before coating the meat.
Tip 3.1: Double-Coating
For a crunchier texture, you can also double-coat the meat by dipping it in buttermilk, then coating it in the dry mixture, and repeating the process once more.

Tip 4: Frying the Meat

Frying the meat can be challenging, but there are a few tricks you can use to ensure that the meat is perfectly cooked. First, make sure that the oil is hot enough before adding the meat. If the oil is not hot enough, the meat will absorb it, resulting in greasy chicken fried steak.
Tip 4.1: Shallow-frying
It is also recommended that you shallow-fry the meat instead of deep-frying it. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and does not get soggy.

Tip 5: Gravy

No chicken fried steak is complete without gravy. Alton Brown's recipe calls for making gravy using the drippings from the fried meat, butter, flour, and milk.
Tip 5.1: Cream-based Gravy
For a cream-based gravy, you can use heavy cream instead of milk, which will result in a richer and creamier gravy.

Tip 6: Serving Suggestions

Chicken fried steak is usually served with mashed potatoes, green beans, or corn. You can also experiment with different side dishes such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, or sweet potato fries.
Tip 6.1: Adding a Twist
For an interesting twist, you can also serve the chicken fried steak on a bed of waffles, which is a popular dish in the southern United States.

Conclusion

Alton Brown's chicken fried steak recipe is a classic southern dish that is easy to make at home. By following these tips, you can ensure that your chicken fried steak is perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Whether you choose to serve it with mashed potatoes or on a bed of waffles, your guests are sure to be impressed with your culinary skills.

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