1-First Step: Get the oven and coating stations ready Preheat the oven to 200 degrees so you can keep the fried steaks warm while you work through the batches. Set out two shallow dishes, one for the flour coating and one for the buttermilk mixture. This chicken fried steak with milk gravy recipe moves quickly once the oil is hot, so having everything ready helps a lot. In one shallow dish, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, 3 teaspoons of the salt, 3 teaspoons of the pepper, and the paprika. In the second dish, whisk the buttermilk and egg until smooth. These two stations are the heart of the breading process.

2-Second Step: Heat the oil and coat the steaks Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to come up about halfway on the steaks, then heat it to 350 degrees. A thermometer helps keep the oil at the right temperature for this paula deen chicken fried steak recipe. If the oil is too cool, the crust can turn heavy and greasy. If it is too hot, the coating may brown too fast. Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture first, pressing lightly so the coating sticks. Next, dip it into the buttermilk and egg mixture. Then dredge it again in the flour mixture to build a thicker crust. Shake off extra flour before frying.

3-Third Step: Fry the steaks in batches Carefully place the steaks into the hot oil, but do not overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until the coating is deep golden brown and the steak is cooked through. Working in batches helps the oil stay hot, which is one of the most helpful tips for this chicken fried steak recipe. Use tongs to turn the steaks gently. Adjust the heat as needed during frying so the oil stays close to 350 degrees. If the temperature drops, wait a moment before adding the next batch.

4-Fourth Step: Drain and keep warm Transfer the fried steaks to a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to drain. Then place them in the warm oven while you make the gravy. This keeps the crust crisp and the meat hot. If you are cooking for a crowd, this step gives you time to finish all the steaks before serving. You can pair the finished steak with sides like mashed potatoes or a simple salad. For a hearty dinner spread, try serving it after a bowl of baked ziti on another night, or save that link for a meal plan that covers more than one comfort food favorite.

5-Final Step: Make the milk gravy Pour off all but a few tablespoons of the reserved oil from the skillet, keeping the browned bits in the pan. Whisk in the remaining flour and cook briefly. Slowly add the whole milk while whisking constantly so the mixture stays smooth. Cook until the gravy thickens, then season with the remaining salt and pepper. Whisk constantly when making the gravy to prevent lumps. Spoon the gravy over the hot steaks and serve right away. This is the final touch that turns a simple fried steak into a classic Southern dinner.