Chicken fried steak bites are a quintessential comfort food, boasting a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. This beloved dish, often associated with Southern cuisine, is perfect for satisfying cravings and impressing guests alike. Here's a delightful recipe to create your own batch of irresistible chicken fried steak bites at home.
**Ingredients:**
- 1 pound cube steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Gravy (optional, for serving)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Steak:** Begin by cutting the cube steak into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
2. **Create the Breading Station:** In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk to create an egg wash.
3. **Coat the Steak Bites:** Dip each piece of steak into the seasoned flour, ensuring it is well coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the steak into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the steak once again in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.
4. **Heat the Oil:** In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Use enough oil to submerge the steak bites halfway.
5. **Fry the Steak Bites:** Carefully add the coated steak bites to the hot oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded in the pan. Fry in batches if necessary to maintain an even temperature and prevent overcrowding. Cook the steak bites for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. **Drain and Serve:** Once cooked, transfer the fried steak bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce or gravy for an extra indulgent touch.
**Tips for Success:**
- **Tenderize the Steak:** If your cube steak is on the tougher side, consider tenderizing it with a meat mallet before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
- **Maintain the Oil Temperature:** It's important to fry the steak bites at the correct temperature to ensure they cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
- **Serve with Gravy:** For a classic Southern touch, serve your chicken fried steak bites with creamy gravy drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.
Chicken fried steak bites are the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends and family. With this simple recipe, you can recreate the classic flavors of this beloved dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. So gather your ingredients, heat up the oil, and get ready to savor every bite of these deliciously crispy steak bites.
