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

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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.

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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