Serve them for dinner or as a party food – these Chicken Fried Steak Fingers are just like your favorite chicken fried steak recipe, but way more fun! Tenderized steak is coated and fried and served with a country gravy that is to die for. Comforting and a fun twist on a classic!
Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
You all know I’m all about the comfort food. And the classics. So when you have a comfort food classic – with a twist – you know I’ll fall in love!
It was kind of funny, because not long ago, my husband asked me why I never make chicken fried steak. I think I had only made it once in our marriage, and that was years and years ago. And then a copy of Delish – by Joanna Saltz and the Editors of Delish – showed up on my doorstep. As I looked through, (wanting to make SO many of the recipes!), I came across this recipe for Chicken Fried Steak Fingers. I knew my husband would be over the moon happy if I made these, so I added them to the menu.
And not only was my husband super excited, but all of my kids actually loved these, as well! It was such a fun dinner idea. I think this was normally intended as more of an appetizer or fun finger food, but we happily ate them for dinner and the plate was cleared so quickly!
I followed the recipe in the cookbook pretty closely, except when it comes to the gravy. In the book, they cook the gravy in a separate pot, but I have always made gravy from pan drippings. You get so much more flavor this way.
This cookbook is super fun, too. There are some great twists on everyday recipes, as well as some more creative recipes. I seriously have so many recipes bookmarked and I can’t wait to try more recipes!
What is Chicken Fried Steak?
Chicken fried steak is typically cube steak that has been breaded and fried, much like fried chicken would be. What is cube steak? Cube steak is piece of steak that has been tenderized and flattened. While you could tenderize and flatten your own steak, this is one time when I’d suggest buying it straight from the store.
In this recipe, the steak is turned into fingers – or strips – that makes eating the chicken fried steak a lot more fun!
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
Even if you are not used to frying, this recipe is super easy.
- Start by preparing your breading. In one dish – I like to use pie dishes – combine your flour and spices. At this point you’ll also want to take some of that flour mixture and set it aside to use in the gravy.
- In another dish, combine your milk and your eggs. Make sure to whisk the milk and eggs together lightly to break up the eggs.
- The cube steak comes in a regular steak portion, so you’ll want to cut it into strips. I cut each steak into 4-5 pieces. Generously salt and pepper the strips.
- Fill your skillet (I use a cast iron skillet) with 1/2 inch of oil. I use vegetable oil, but you could use canola oil as well. Let this heat up to about 350ºF. The oil should be simmering.
- Take each steak finger and first coat it in the flour mixture. Then coat it in the milk and eggs. Then you’re going to dip the back into the flour mixture again.
- Place about half of the coated steak fingers into the hot oil and fry them until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. When they are browned, remove them from the oil with a pair of tongs to a paper towel lined plate.
- This is where I like to do something I learned years ago – to salt food that has been fried right after it comes out of the oil. Not a lot, but just a little sprinkling of salt.
- Repeat with the remaining steak fingers.
How to Make Gravy for Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
When the steak is all fried, it’s time to make the gravy.
- Carefully pour all of the oil from the pan except about 2 tablespoons. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the oil and heat it over medium heat to melt the butter.
- Whisk the reserved flour mixture into the melted butter and oil. Let it cook until for about a minute.
- Slowly whisk the milk in, trying to avoid any lumps. Make sure to whisk up any browned bits from the pan – these will add tons of flavor to your gravy.
- Bring the gravy to a boil and let it cook until it is thickened.
- Turn the heat off and stir in the chives. Season with salt and pepper.
More Recipes Worthy of the Fryer
Fried Fish Tacos
Honey Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Sauce
Georgia Peanut Fried Chicken
Easy Egg Rolls
Fried Loaded Mashed Potato Balls
Tools Used to Make these Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
My favorite thing to fry these in is a cast iron skillet. It’s great at keeping the temperature of the oil even and it just makes things fry up so nicely.
You’ll need a whisk for making the gravy.
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Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
Ingredients
For the Chicken Fried Steak Fingers:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 pounds cube steak, sliced into 1/2-inch thick strips
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped chives
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, (I like to use a pie dish), mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Remove 3 tablespoons of the mixture to a small bowl for later.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs.
- Season the steak generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large deep-sided skillet over medium heat, heat 1/2-inch of oil until shimmering. (It should be about 350ºF).
- Working in batches, coat the steak pieces in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg and milk mixture, then back to the flour mixture once more. Using tongs, add the steak to the oil, one by one, working in batches. Cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- When all of the steak is cooked, let the pan cool slightly. Carefully remove all of the oil but about 2 tablespoons. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the reserved 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture and mix until golden brown, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to scrape up the browned bits in the pan, and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and summer until the gravy is thick. Stir in the chives, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve the chicken fried steak fingers with the gravy for dipping.
Gayle Addison says
Isn’t it hard cutting cube steak into chicken fingers
Deborah says
Nope – the steak is super tender and easy to cut. 🙂