Recipe(tried): Baked Country Fried Steak - Some thoughts for Sandi regarding

Hi Sandi. I have a few thoughts about baked chicken fried steak.

I have made chicken fried steak many times. Yummmmm. One key, of course, if to make sure your steak has been texturized VERY WELL.

Thought number one:

I see no reason why chicken fried steak could not be made in the oven. To me it is the same as making "fried chicken" in a fry pan or in the oven. I would prepare the steaks the same as for stove top... dipped in egg and seasoned flour and then put the steaks in a baking dish in a preheated oven. I would put oil in the pan and preheat the oiled pan in the oven before placing the coated steaks in the pan. I would use the same cooking temperature and times as for oven fried chicken. You might want to turn the steaks part way through baking them -- however, oven fried chicken does not have to be turned.

After the steaks are cooked, I would remove them from the baking pan. Put a bit of water (or beef bouillon) in the baking pan and skim it with a spatula to deglaze the pan. These lucious drippings make great gravy.

Thought number two:

When I make chicken fried steak for company, I fry it on the top of the stove and then place the finished steaks in the oven (loosely covered with foil) at 225 to 250 degrees while I make the gravy and wash my fry pan. (I like having all my heavy pots and pans cleaned and put away when company comes.) By holding the steaks in the oven, they stay hot and become very tender. The caution I would throw in here is to be sure you use a wide spatula to tranfer the steaks. They can become so tender that they will fall apart if you use a skinny spatula. You should also use a not-stick pan, or a pan you have sprayed with cooking oil so the lovely bottom crusts of the chicken fried steaks do not stick to the pan.

I serve my chicken fried steak by putting the gravy directly on the plates, or serving platter, and place the finished chicken fried steaks on top of the gravy. (I learned this when living in southern Colorado). Extra gravy can be served in a gravy bowl.

One more note - there are some very nice tried-and-true chicken fried steak recipes that have already been posted here on the Recipe Link.

I hope this helps, Sandi. You asked a great question. AND I think I will try the oven method next time I make chicken fried steak. It certainly would cut down on the stove-top mess. thank you.