Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy
A comforting twist on classic chicken-fried steak, baked until golden and paired with a rich cream gravy that’s perfect for any cozy dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs cube steak, all-purpose flour, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cube steak
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- as needed cooking spray
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour for gravy
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 tsp black pepper for gravy
- to taste salt for gravy
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a shallow bowl, whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk and 2 large eggs until smooth.
- Step 3: Dip each 1 lb cube steak piece first into the flour mixture, then into the buttermilk-egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.
- Step 4: Place the coated steaks on a baking sheet sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Spray the tops with cooking spray as well.
- Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the coating is golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, melt 3 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Step 7: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Season the gravy with 1/2 tsp black pepper and salt to taste.
- Step 9: Serve the baked chicken-fried steak hot with the creamy country gravy poured generously over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cube steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Chicken-Fried Steak with Creamy Country Gravy?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.