Texas Chicken Fried Steak

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef steak pounded thin, dredged in seasoned flour, and fried to a golden crisp, served with cream gravy and mashed potatoes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs beef top sirloin, flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C). Place 2 lbs beef top sirloin on a board. Pound to 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup flour with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Dredge each steak in flour, shaking off excess. Set on a wire rack.
  3. Step 3: In a large skillet, heat 2 cups vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add 4 slices bacon and cook 3-4 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: Add steaks to skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven.
  5. Step 5: In same skillet, add 1 cup buttermilk and 1/4 cup flour. Cook 2-3 minutes until thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup bacon fat (or oil) and 1/4 tsp salt. Pour over steaks and serve immediately with mashed potatoes and gravy.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Texas Chicken Fried Steak take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 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 Texas Chicken Fried Steak?

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 beef top sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Texas Chicken Fried Steak?

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 Texas Chicken Fried Steak 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 Texas Chicken Fried Steak?

American chicken 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.

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