Pan-Seared Chicken Fried Steak with Creamy Gravy

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

Tenderized beef steak breaded and pan-fried to golden perfection, served with a rich, creamy peppered gravy for a comforting Texas-style dinner. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs cube steak (beef), all-purpose flour, buttermilk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) cube steak (beef)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for gravy)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp black pepper (for gravy)
• to taste salt (for gravy)

Cast-iron skillets worth buying → Best Cast Iron Skillets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp black pepper. In another bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 2 cups buttermilk until combined.
2. Step 2: Dip each of the 4 cube steaks first into the flour mixture, then into the buttermilk-egg mixture, and back into the flour mixture, pressing lightly to coat thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 350°F).
4. Step 4: Fry each steak for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp, then transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
5. Step 5: Remove all but 2 tbsp of the fat from the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and whisk in 1/4 cup flour, cooking for 2 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
6. Step 6: Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Season gravy with 1 tsp black pepper and salt to taste, then serve over the chicken fried steaks immediately.