This mouthwatering Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich combines the Southern classic comfort food with a handheld twist. Tender cube steak is pounded thin, double-dredged in a seasoned flour mixture, then fried to golden perfection. Topped with crisp lettuce and a zesty sriracha mayo, this sandwich delivers satisfying crunch and flavor in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something hearty but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality at Home: This sandwich recreates that perfect chicken fried steak experience without the restaurant price tag. The double-dredging technique ensures a crispy, craggy coating that stays put when you bite into it.
Quick Satisfaction: Despite looking impressive, this sandwich comes together in just 25 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when you want something substantial without a long wait.
Customizable Heat Level: The spicy mayo can be adjusted from mild to wild depending on your preference. Make it your own by dialing the heat up or down.
Perfect Texture Contrast: The juxtaposition of crispy coating, tender meat, soft bun, and fresh lettuce creates a texture experience that makes this sandwich truly special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cube Steaks: The foundation of our sandwich, these pre-tenderized steaks save you time and effort. They’re already thin and have been mechanically tenderized, making them perfect for this recipe.
Eggs and Milk: Creates the wet component of our dredging station, helping the flour coating adhere to the meat for that perfect crispy crust.
All-Purpose Flour: The base for our coating mixture. It creates that classic crispy exterior that chicken fried anything is known for.
Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne): This blend adds depth and complexity to what would otherwise be a simple flour coating. The smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky note while the cayenne provides gentle heat.
Canola Oil: Has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying at the temperatures needed for a perfectly crisp coating.
Butter: A little butter added to the frying oil creates a richer flavor and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color.
Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base for our spicy sauce, carrying all those flavors.
Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the mayo in our sauce.
Garlic: Provides a pungent kick to the mayo that balances perfectly with the richness of the fried steak.
Sriracha: Brings the heat and a touch of sweetness to our sauce. It’s what makes this sandwich special!
Hamburger Buns: Choose something substantial enough to hold up to the hefty filling. A brioche or Kaiser roll works wonderfully.
Lettuce: Adds freshness and crunch to balance the richness of the fried steak and spicy mayo.

Variations

Different Meats

Try this recipe with pounded chicken breast or pork cutlets for a different twist. Both will work beautifully with the same coating and cooking method.

Toppings Galore

Add sliced tomatoes, pickles, or even caramelized onions to take this sandwich to the next level. A slice of pepper jack cheese melted on top of the hot fried steak would be phenomenal.

Lower-Carb Option

Skip the bun and serve the chicken fried steak over a bed of mixed greens with the spicy mayo as a dressing for a delicious salad version.

Southern-Style Gravy

For an authentic Southern experience, whip up a quick pepper gravy to drizzle over your chicken fried steak before adding it to the sandwich.

How to Make Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare the Spicy Mayo

Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then refrigerate until ready to use. This can be done a day ahead to let the flavors develop.

Step 2: Prepare the Steaks

Sandwich each cube steak between plastic wrap and pound until they’re less than ¼-inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tenderness. Season lightly with salt to enhance the flavor of the meat.

Step 3: Set Up Your Dredging Station

Preheat your oven to 200°F with a wire rack over a baking sheet inside. In one dish, combine beaten eggs and milk. In another, mix flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.

Step 4: Dredge the Steaks

This double-dredge method is crucial! First in flour mixture, then egg wash, then back in flour. Press the flour gently into the steak to ensure good adhesion. This creates that perfect craggy coating that fries up beautifully.

Step 5: Fry to Perfection

Heat oil to 350°F and add butter. Carefully place a coated steak in the hot oil and fry about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. The butter helps achieve that perfect color. Transfer to the warm oven while cooking remaining steaks.

Step 6: Assemble the Sandwiches

Toast your buns lightly, then spread spicy mayo generously on the bottom half. Add the chicken fried steak, lettuce, and more mayo on the top bun. Close and serve immediately while still hot and crispy.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Temperature Matters: Use a thermometer to ensure your oil stays around 350°F. Too cool and the coating absorbs oil; too hot and it burns before the meat cooks.
Don’t Overcrowd: Fry only one steak at a time to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking. Patience here results in perfectly crispy steaks.
Rest the Coating: After dredging, let the steaks sit for a few minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better during cooking.
Keep Warm Method: The wire rack in the oven is crucial – it keeps the steaks warm without making them soggy while you finish frying the batch.
Mayo Make-Ahead: The spicy mayo actually improves if made a few hours or even a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve these sandwiches with classic sides like french fries, onion rings, or potato chips for a true diner-style meal. A cold beer or sweet iced tea makes the perfect beverage companion.

Garnish Options

Add a pickle spear on the side, or include pickle chips directly in the sandwich for a tangy contrast. A few thin slices of red onion or a ripe tomato slice can add freshness.

Make It a Meal

For a complete dinner, pair with a simple coleslaw or a light green salad to balance the richness of the sandwich. The acidity of these sides cuts through the fried elements beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store components separately in the refrigerator. Keep cooked steaks in an airtight container, the spicy mayo in a separate container, and have fresh lettuce and buns ready for assembly. This way, leftovers will keep for up to 3 days.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat chicken fried steaks in a 350°F oven on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This helps restore some of the crispiness that would be lost in microwave reheating.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken fried steaks for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven as directed above. The spicy mayo doesn’t freeze well, so make that fresh.

Note: While the full sandwich is best enjoyed immediately after preparation, you can prep components ahead of time for quick assembly later.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this sandwich?
Absolutely! While cube steak is traditional and convenient because it’s pre-tenderized, you can use round steak or sirloin that you pound thin yourself. Just make sure to pound it well to break down the muscle fibers for tenderness.

How can I make this sandwich less spicy?
The heat in this recipe comes mainly from the sriracha in the mayo and the cayenne in the flour mixture. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and use less sriracha in the mayo. You can substitute with a bit of ketchup for color and sweetness without the heat.

Can I bake the chicken fried steak instead of frying?
While frying gives the authentic texture and flavor, you can bake these for a lighter version. Spray the breaded steaks with cooking spray and bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The coating won’t be quite as crispy, but it’s still delicious.

What’s the best way to ensure my coating doesn’t fall off during frying?
Three key tips: First, make sure your steaks are dry before starting the dredging process. Second, press the flour coating firmly into the meat. Finally, let the coated steaks rest for about 5 minutes before frying to allow the coating to adhere better.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich brings together the best of Southern comfort food in a convenient handheld format. There’s something magical about that first bite – the crunch of the perfectly seasoned coating, the tenderness of the steak, the kick from the spicy mayo, all held together in a soft toasted bun. It’s impressive enough for weekend company but quick enough for a weeknight treat. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving something satisfying and special – your taste buds will thank you!

Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe