Chicken fried steak and country fried steak are two classic comfort foods in Southern cuisine. While their names sound similar, there are some notable differences between these tasty breaded and fried meat dishes.
A Brief History
Both chicken fried steak and country fried steak originated in the mid-1800s American South. German immigrants brought the method of breading and frying meat cutlets, known as wiener schnitzel. Unable to find veal, Southern cooks used cheaper and readily available cube steak instead.
To mimic the crispy fried chicken they were accustomed to cooks started dipping the steaks in egg batter before dredging in flour and frying to create what became known as chicken fried steak. When eggs were scarce like on cattle trails, the egg batter step was skipped and the steaks were simply floured and fried, resulting in country fried steak.
Preparation Methods
The main difference lies in how each dish is prepared before frying:
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Chicken fried steak is dipped in egg batter before being dredged in seasoned flour and fried until golden brown and crispy, like fried chicken. This gives it a thick, crunchy breading exterior.
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Country fried steak is dredged in flour only, without the egg batter. It has a thin, lighter crispy coating from frying in the pan.
Both dishes use cube steak or other cuts like round or chuck steak, tenderized to make them more tender after cooking.
Gravy Differences
The two steak dishes are also accompanied by different classic gravy styles:
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Chicken fried steak is served with a thick white gravy made with the pan drippings, milk or cream, and black pepper.
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Country fried steak comes with brown gravy made from the meat drippings and beef broth, creating a thinner sauce.
The creamy white gravy is a signature component of chicken fried steak, while the brown gravy allows the country fried steak to absorb more flavor.
Serving Styles
There are also some traditional differences in how each dish is plated and served:
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The white gravy for chicken fried steak is often spooned over the top just before serving, which helps maintain its signature crispy breading.
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Country fried steak is sometimes simmered in the brown gravy right in the pan after frying to soak up flavor before serving the steak smothered in gravy.
Both dishes are served with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, biscuits, greens, or grits.
Flavor Profiles
The unique preparation methods also impact the overall flavor profile of each dish:
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Chicken fried steak has a crisp, crunchy coating with a peppery gravy that provides a spicy kick.
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Country fried steak has a lighter, softer breading and rich savory brown gravy that infuse the meat with flavor.
While both are utterly delicious comfort foods, their differences mean chicken fried steak offers more textural contrast and spice, while country fried steak highlights deep, meaty flavor.
Regional Preferences
Chicken fried steak is especially beloved in Texas and Oklahoma, while country fried steak originated in Georgia and Louisiana. However, both dishes are popular comfort foods across the Southern United States.
Ordering Tips
When dining out in a restaurant, be aware that some menus use the names chicken fried steak and country fried steak interchangeably. Check with your server or ask questions if you have a preference between the crispier, pepper-gravy or soft, brown-gravy versions before ordering.
Making Them at Home
Both dishes are easy to prepare at home with simple, inexpensive ingredients. For authentic chicken fried steak, use an egg batter dip before dredging in flour. For country fried steak, coat in seasoned flour only. Fry in a skillet until golden brown, then make your choice of signature white or brown gravy from the flavorful pan drippings.
Chicken fried steak and country fried steak are two of the most iconic comfort foods of the American South. Though their names are similar, the key differences in preparation and serving styles make each dish unique. Whether you prefer the crunchy coating or tender gravy infusion, both satisfying versions of fried steak are classics you can enjoy.
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Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells
The Shocking Differences Between Chicken Fried and Country Fried
Here comes the shocking part, it’s less about how you fry and more about how you serve and what kind of gravy you make to go with the meal. That’s what the difference between chicken fried and country fried really “simmers” down to.
For Chicken Fried, as in Chicken Fried Steak, you’d pull the meat through your seasoned egg wash. Then you dredge the egg-coated meat in season flour. From there you drop the meat into the hot oil for frying. Or if you’re a wet batter person, this is where you’d dip your chicken before placing it in the hot oil.
In most cases, you’d want to have enough oil in the pan to cover the meat for even cooking. Chicken fried steak, like chicken fried chicken, should have a crispy delicious crust. It’s served with seasoned white gravy that can be poured over the meat or used for dipping. The gravy is usually very thick and can sometimes be the consistency of pudding.
For Country Fried meats you’re going to take similar steps, but you’ll see the difference between the country fried and the chicken fried will come down to texture and gravy in the end. The country-fried meat is dredged in seasoned flour. For some cooks that may be the only step. Others might give the meat a quick dip in an egg wash, but country-fried steak is more like a smothered steak. The coating on the meat is not nearly as crisp or plentiful.
Because you’re looking for different results with your crust, you won’t need as much oil as you would for “chicken” frying. But you do need to watch the heat of your pan because it can burn the flour and anyone who has ever “blackened” a roux can tell you that does not enhance the dish at all. The gravy is a seasoned brown gravy. It’s very savory and goes well not only with the meat but with traditional side dishes.
If youre still unclear, this video should help you.
Personally, I can agree with and do enjoy each of these methods for frying food. I think I like chicken frying for chicken and pork chops. I like country frying and thick white gravy for steak. As far as sides go, if you don’t have rice then you better have mashed potatoes. Because we are not about to let all that great gravy go to waste without mixing it up on the plate or smearing some on a biscuit.
Difference Between Country Fried Steak and Chicken Fried Steak
FAQ
Are country fried steak and chicken-fried steak the same thing?
Country Fried Steak is actually pork steak that’s coated with flour, fried, and served with brown gravy and onions. Chicken Fried Steak, on the other hand, starts with beef that’s coated with buttermilk batter, fried, and served with creamy gravy. They’re different but each is delicious in its own right.
What’s another name for chicken-fried steak?
Chicken-fried steak, also known as country-fried steak, is an American Southern breaded cutlet dish consisting of a piece of beefsteak (most often tenderized cube steak) coated with seasoned flour and either deep-fried or pan-fried. It is associated with the Southern cuisine of the United States.
What’s the difference between fried chicken and country fried chicken?
In the area I live, the term chicken fried denotes battered and fried and covered in white gravy. Country fried means they want a chicken fry, but with brown gravy, not white.
Can chicken-fried steak be a little pink?
What is the difference between country fried steak and chicken fried?
There is one clear difference between the two dishes: the color of the gravy. Country-fried steak is covered in brown gravy, while chicken-fried steak comes with peppery white gravy. To add to the confusion, even this isn’t entirely set in stone–some restaurants will serve “country-fried steak” with white gravy. Other differences are more subtle.
What is the difference between chicken fried steak and gravy?
A delicious creamy gravy is made using the pan drippings, and both steak and gravy are served with biscuits, mashed potatoes, or your favorite vegetables. Chicken-fried steak has a crispy coating and is aptly named because it is prepared in the same manner as classic fried chicken.
What is chicken fried steak?
Typically made with beef round or cube steak, chicken-fried steak is breaded in a seasoned flour mixture and then pan-fried to golden perfection. It’s usually served with a rich, creamy gravy that enhances its flavor, making it a favorite in diners and homes across the South.
Is chicken fried steak healthier than country fried?
Both chicken-fried and country-fried steak can be made healthier through various cooking techniques and ingredient substitutions. For instance, using lean cuts of beef, such as sirloin or tenderloin, can reduce the overall fat content.
What makes a steak different from a chicken fried steak?
The primary differentiating characteristic is the way in which the steak (yes, we’re talking beef steak, not chicken!) is breaded. If you’re a big fan of fried chicken, you’ll also love chicken fried steak, since the latter basically applies same method of preparation to a thin cut of beef.
What is a country fried steak?
According to The Spruce Eats, chicken fried steak and country fried steaks use a technique implemented by German immigrants and brought over to southern states in the mid-19th century, inspired by the famous wiener schnitzel dish, which is veal cutlets that are breaded and fried.