Hey there, fellow food lovers! Today I’m gonna share with you my absolute favorite methods for reheating chicken fried steak. We’ve all been there – you made too much of that delicious southern comfort food, and now you’re staring at leftovers in the fridge wondering how to revive that crispy coating without turning it into a sad, soggy mess.
Well, worry no more! I’ve tested several methods and I’m here to share what actually works to bring back that delightful crunch we all crave Trust me, with these techniques, your leftover chicken fried steak will taste almost as good as freshly made!
Why Proper Storage Matters First
Before we dive into reheating methods, let’s talk about proper storage. According to Michelle McGlinn, a recipe developer for Tasting Table, “Leftovers aren’t ideal, but can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.”
The key here is to store your gravy separately from the fried steak. This prevents the crispy coating from getting soggy while it sits in the fridge. I always put my leftover chicken fried steaks in one container and the gravy in another – it’s a small step that makes a HUGE difference!
Methods to Avoid: The Microwave Trap
First things first – avoid the microwave at all costs! I made this mistake once and ended up with a sad, rubbery piece of meat with a soggy exterior. Not appetizing at all!
Microwaves heat food unevenly and tend to make fried foods lose their crispy texture. The coating gets steamy instead of crispy, and the meat often becomes tough. So let’s just pretend your microwave doesn’t exist when it comes to reheating chicken fried steak, k?
The Best Methods for Reheating Chicken Fried Steak
Now let’s get to the good stuff! Here are the two best methods that’ll bring back that delicious crunch:
Method 1: The Air Fryer Method (My Personal Favorite!)
The air fryer is hands down the BEST way to reheat chicken fried steak. It’s quick, convenient, and gives amazing results! Here’s how I do it:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket/tray with cooking spray (to prevent sticking)
- Place your chicken fried steak in the air fryer
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Heat your gravy separately on the stovetop or in the microwave
- Spoon the warm gravy over your crispy reheated steak and enjoy!
What I love about this method is how quickly it works while maintaining that crispy exterior. The circulating hot air basically recreates the original frying process without adding more oil. Your steak comes out warm and crispy but not tough or dry – perfection!
Method 2: The Conventional Oven Method
If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! Your regular oven can do a fantastic job too. It just takes a little longer. Here’s my process:
- Preheat your oven to 350-400°F
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Place your chicken fried steak on the lined baking sheet
- Bake for about 5 minutes until heated through and crispy
- Heat your gravy separately
- Serve and enjoy!
Pro tip: For even better results, place the steaks on a wire rack over your baking sheet. This allows air to circulate underneath, giving you a crispier bottom!
The Wire Rack Hack for Extra Crispiness
I’ve found that using a wire rack in the oven makes a BIG difference! When you place the chicken fried steak directly on a baking sheet, the bottom can get a bit soggy. But with a wire rack, hot air circulates all around the steak, giving you crispy goodness on all sides.
This simple hack has been a game-changer for me, and I never reheat chicken fried steak in the oven without it now!
Gravy Reheating Tips
Let’s not forget about the gravy! Here’s how I handle it:
-
Stovetop method: Pour gravy into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
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Microwave method: Transfer gravy to a microwave-safe container, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until hot.
The gravy might thicken as it sits in the fridge. If that happens, just add a splash of milk or water while reheating and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Here’s a neat little hack I learned: to keep your gravy warmer for longer while you’re serving, warm up the serving dish or gravy boat beforehand by rinsing it with hot water!
Comparing Reheating Methods
To make things easier, here’s a quick comparison of the different methods:
| Method | Time | Crispiness | Ease | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 3-4 minutes | Excellent | Very Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Oven | 5+ minutes | Very Good | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Microwave | 1-2 minutes | Poor | Easiest | ⭐ (avoid!) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In my journey of reheating many chicken fried steaks (yes, I make it THAT often!), I’ve made some mistakes that you can learn from:
• Reheating at too high temperatures: This can dry out the meat before the coating gets crispy.
• Not letting the steak come to room temperature: Taking the steak straight from the fridge to high heat can result in uneven heating.
• Reheating with the gravy: As mentioned earlier, this is a big no-no! Always reheat them separately.
• Covering the steak while reheating: This traps steam and makes the coating soggy.
• Not using a wire rack in the oven: The bottom of your steak won’t get crispy without proper air circulation.
How to Tell When It’s Ready
You’ll know your chicken fried steak is perfectly reheated when:
- The coating is crispy and golden (not dark brown)
- The meat is heated all the way through
- It sizzles slightly when you cut into it
If you’re unsure, you can always use a meat thermometer – aim for an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Making the Most of Your Reheated Meal
Now that you’ve successfully reheated your chicken fried steak, let’s talk about making it a complete meal again! Here are some quick sides that pair perfectly and can be made while your steak is reheating:
• Fresh garden salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Quick-cooking mashed potatoes
• Texas toast or biscuits
• Corn on the cob
I personally love serving my reheated chicken fried steak with some fresh greens to balance out the richness!
When to Just Make a New Dish Instead
Let’s be honest – sometimes leftovers are past their prime. If your chicken fried steak has been in the fridge for more than 4 days, or if it has an off smell or appearance, it’s best to just toss it and make a fresh batch.
Food safety is super important, and no reheating method can make spoiled food safe to eat!
My Personal Experience
I remember the first time I tried to reheat chicken fried steak in the microwave – what a disaster! The crispy coating turned into a sad, soggy mess, and the meat was tough and chewy. It was so disappointing that I almost swore off making extra chicken fried steak altogether!
But then I discovered the air fryer method, and it was a total game-changer. Now I actually look forward to leftover chicken fried steak, and sometimes I even make extra on purpose just so I can have it again the next day. My kids actually fight over who gets the leftovers now!
Final Thoughts
Reheating chicken fried steak doesn’t have to result in disappointment. With the right methods – particularly the air fryer or oven with a wire rack – you can bring back that delicious crunch and enjoy your leftovers almost as much as the fresh-made version.
Remember these key points:
• Store gravy separately
• Avoid the microwave
• Use an air fryer for best results
• If using an oven, place on a wire rack
• Reheat gravy separately on stovetop or microwave
Until next time, happy reheating!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my other guides on reheating various foods to perfection. Next week I’ll be tackling how to bring back crispy fried chicken!
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
- Prep dredge and batter: Set up an assembly line of dishes. In one dish combine the flour with 1 tsp of salt. In another dish add the remaining salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, baking soda, baking powder, buttermilk and eggs. Whisk well. Place a cooling rack next to the plates.
- Dredge the steaks: Working with one steak at a time, dredge the steak through the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Place the steak on the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining steaks. Reserve 1/4 cup of the flour mixture.
- Prepare oil and fry the steaks: Heat the cup of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Using tongs, add 1 or 2 steaks to the skillet, depending on how big your steaks are and how many can fit and fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Flip the steaks and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Transfer steaks to a paper lined plate. Repeat with remaining steaks.
- Make the gravy: Carefully pour the frying oil into a heatproof bowl, making sure to save most of the brown bits left in the skillet. Return ¼ cup of the grease back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in the reserved ¼ cup of flour mixture. Whisk continuously until it starts to brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the 2 cups of milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and continue whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary.
- Serve: Serve the steaks drizzled with the gravy over mashed potatoes.
What is Chicken Fried Steak
Is it chicken? Is it steak? Well I’m here to clear up any of your questions! Chicken fried steak, often referred to as “country-fried steak” (I’ll get to that in a minute) is a true “southern comfort food” dish, easiest recognized as a breaded cutlet, comparable to a schnitzel. The “chicken fried” part of the name comes from using a similar cooking method to fried chicken, but instead of poultry, a beefsteak is coated with seasoned flour, pan-fried to golden brown perfection and served with a rich and creamy gravy. In short: It’s a crispy coated fried steak with a creamy gravy!
The Secret To Reheating Fried Chicken
FAQ
How to warm up leftover chicken fried steak?
Heat It Quickly In An Air Fryer – To use an air fryer to reheat the extra chicken fried steak, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so the steaks come out warm and crispy but not tough or dry.Apr 27, 2024
How to reheat chicken steak?
- Add oil: Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cover the pan with a lid.
- Heat: Heat for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly heated and reaches 75°C (165°F).