Chicken fried steak is a popular comfort food dish found in diners and restaurants across the United States especially in the South. But with its confusing name, many people wonder – why do they call it chicken fried steak if it contains no chicken?
The name is admittedly odd and has led to a lot of confusion over the years Customers unfamiliar with chicken fried steak often mistakenly think it contains fried chicken. But in reality, chicken fried steak is made from beef that is fried like chicken, hence the name.
The Origins of the Name
While the exact origins of the name are unknown, most food historians agree it likely originated in the American South in the early 20th century.
Here’s a quick look at some of the main theories behind the name:
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It refers to the method of dredging the steak in flour and frying it like fried chicken. The coating and frying technique resembles the way fried chicken is prepared.
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It may have come from a shorthand menu notation like “Chicken, fried steak” where the comma was misinterpreted. Servers may have thought it was one dish name instead of two separate items.
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The name may have started as a way to describe the dish to new customers who were unfamiliar with breaded and fried steaks. Calling it “chicken fried” helped convey it was fried like chicken.
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In German-influenced towns, wiener schnitzel was known as “chicken fried meat” which could have inspired the name.
While we may never know the exact origin, it’s clear the name “chicken fried steak” was meant to highlight the cooking method – frying steak like you would fry chicken.
It’s All About the Cooking Style
Chicken fried steak showcases a simple cooking technique that yields a crispy, crunchy coating around a tenderized steak. The steak is pounded thin, seasoned with spices, dredged in flour, dipped in egg wash, then fried to golden brown perfection.
While the name may be confusing, it accurately describes how the steak is prepared. The coating and frying process does closely mirror fried chicken, even though the main component is beef. It’s essentially like taking a steak and frying it up with the coating you’d use on fried chicken.
So while there’s no poultry involved, the cooking method of pan frying the floured steak is akin to fried chicken. That technique is really the heart of this Southern classic.
An Iconic Southern Dish
Today, chicken fried steak remains a staple menu item and cultural icon across the Southern United States. It’s frequently served for breakfast with gravy, eggs, and hashbrowns but also makes an excellent dinner entree.
The name may bewilder those not familiar with this breaded steak dish. But now you know the story behind the peculiar name – it’s simply fried like chicken! So next time you see chicken fried steak on a menu, you can confidently order this Southern specialty knowing it contains 100% beef and 0% chicken.
History and Origin of Chicken Fried Steak
The chicken fried steak’s origins are a topic of debate. Early recipes and mentions show different views. German and Austrian immigrants brought their dishes, like Wiener schnitzel, to the US in the 19th century. They used veal, but in Texas, they found plenty of beef, starting the chicken fried steak journey.
In Texas, this dish found its home. The first mention of “chicken fried steak” was in 1914, in the Oxford English Dictionary. Texas celebrates it so much that it named October 26th Chicken Fried Steak Day.
**German Influence on American Cuisine:
- Introduction of traditional dishes by German and Austrian immigrants
- Adaptation of Wiener schnitzel using locally sourced beef
These early recipes show how German traditions mixed with American tastes. This blend is seen in Texas, where cattle ranching was common. So, the story of chicken fried steak is about cultural fusion and adaptation.
Preparation and Cooking Methods
Chicken fried steak starts with tenderizing the meat. You can use tenderized cube steak, chuck, or round steak. This makes the steak soft and full of flavor.
To cook chicken fried steak, you must follow the breading steps carefully. First, the meat is coated in seasoned flour. Then, it’s dipped in egg or buttermilk. Lastly, it’s covered in flour again for a crispy crust. This step is key to making chicken fried steak different from country fried steak.
The steak is then fried in oil. Pan-frying is a favorite method. It makes the outside golden and crispy while keeping the inside tender. Deep frying also adds to the crunchiness.
Gravy is a big part of chicken fried steak. White, cream-based sauces are common. These are often milk-based pepper gravies, unlike the brown gravies used in country fried steak. The choice of gravy can start lively debates.
Choosing the right frying method and gravy can change the dish’s taste and complexity. This makes each chicken fried steak unique and true to southern cooking.
How to Make Ree’s Chicken Fried Steak | The Pioneer Woman | Food Network
FAQ
Why do they call chicken-fried steak chicken?
Why is it called chicken fried steak? Make no mistake–there’s no chicken involved here! The name simply comes from the method of breading and frying the steak, which is a cooking technique that’s commonly used for fried chicken.
Who named the chicken-fried steak?
The dish became commonly known as “chicken fried steak”, because the process was essentially taking a steak and preparing it like how one would make fried chicken, but as the Texas Tale goes, a line cook from lamensa, Texas by the name of Jimmy Don Perkins accidentally read an order of “chicken, fried steak” …
What is the real 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 cut of meat is chicken-fried steak made from?
Chicken fried steak is made from cube steak, which is sliced top round or sliced top sirloin that is cut very thinly and then pounded to tenderize. It’s super affordable and delicious.