Crisp Chicken Fried Steak Strips Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic. Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and again in the flour. Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.
• Heat the shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place fried steaks on a plate with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible.
• Return the skillet to medium-low heat with the reserved oil. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy. Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

STEAK FINGERS WITH COUNTRY GRAVY RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pat the cube steak thoroughly dry with paper towels. Then cut the steaks into strips approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 to 4 inches long.
• In a small bowl mix the flour, Cajun seasoning, and baking powder together. In another bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup milk, 3 eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to fill the skillet 1/4 inch deep.
• Once the oil is between 350-375 degrees F, dip 6-8 steak strips in the flour mixture. Shake them off, then dunk the strips in the egg mixture. Shake off the drippings, then dunk back in the flour mixture. Shake off all excess flour. (Flour that falls off into the oil will burn and turn the oil dark.)
• Gently place the strips in the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes per side. Use tongs to move the steak fingers to a paper towel lined plate. Add additional oil to the skillet if needed, and repeat with the remaining steak strips. Place the finished strips in the oven to keep warm.
• Once all the steak fingers are fried, carefully wipe the skillet out with a paper towel. Place it back over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, whisk in 1/4 cup of the remaining seasoned flour. Whisk until bubbling, then whisk in 2 cups of milk. Continue to whisk the gravy until it is thick. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the gravy from heat. If the gravy starts to thicken too much, whisk in an additional 1/2 cup of milk.
• Serve the steak fingers and warm country gravy together for dipping.

THE BEST CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Liberally sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper (see Cook's Note). Put them on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature while you make the gravy.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour until combined and cook until golden and bubbling, about 1 minute. Whisk in the whole milk, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy boils. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm; it will seem loose but will thicken as it sits.
• Whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Working with 1 steak at a time, dredge in the seasoned flour, turning to coat and packing into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture into the seasoned flour and work it in with your fingers; it should feel like wet sand with some clumps. (These clumps will give the steak a crispy, shaggy crust.) Dip the dredged steaks into the remaining buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Pack the moistened flour firmly onto each steak. Very gently shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Pour the oil into a large cast-iron skillet fitted with a deep-fry thermometer (the oil should come about halfway up the sides). Heat the oil over high heat until the thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Whisk the warm cream gravy to loosen it and serve over the chicken-fried steak.

CRISP CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK STRIPS

Steps:

• Cut steak across the grain into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Stir together soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, vinegar, pepper, cayenne, and garlic. Add flank steak and marinate 10 minutes.
• While steak marinates, whisk together mustard and mayonnaise in a small bowl and transfer to a small serving dish.
• Spread panko in a shallow pan. Dredge each strip of steak in panko, then dip in beaten egg, letting excess drip off, and dredge again in panko, shaking off excess. Arrange steak as breaded in 1 layer on a large plate.
• Heat 1/4 inch oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry 5 or 6 strips (they should sizzle), turning over once, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes total. Drain on paper towels. Fry remaining strips in same manner, reheating oil between batches. Serve steak strips with mustard sauce for dipping.

EXTRA-CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix eggs and water together in a small bowl.
• Place some chicken strips in the flour mixture to coat, then gently shake to remove any excess flour. Coat strips in egg. Return to the flour mixture and coat again; repeat with egg mixture. Coat once more in the flour mixture, placing strips on a plate while you continue with remaining chicken.
• Let strips sit for 5 minutes to allow flour to set.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); oil is ready if you drop some water in and it sizzles.
• Working in batches if needed, place strips in the hot oil. Cook for 8 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook until golden brown, no longer pink in the centers, and juices run clear, about 8 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Place strips on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.