If you’re craving something crispy, spicy, and utterly satisfying, then this Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender, perfectly pounded cube steaks, dredged in a flavorful seasoned flour, fried to golden perfection, and nestled in a soft bun slathered with a creamy, zesty sriracha mayo. Each bite offers a perfect harmony of crunch, spice, and richness that’s so comforting and delicious you’ll want to make it again and again. This sandwich turns a classic Southern favorite into a handheld feast that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or any time you need a serious flavor boost.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that together create layers of flavor and texture. From the spicy mayo to the seasoned coating on the steak, every item plays a key role in making this sandwich unforgettable.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and helps balance the heat of the sriracha in the spicy mayo sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens up the mayo with a touch of acidity.
- Crushed garlic: Infuses the spicy mayo with a savory kick.
- Sriracha (or hot sauce): Provides that essential spicy heat that makes the sandwich come alive.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Crucial for seasoning at multiple stages, ensuring each bite is perfectly flavorful.
- Pre-tenderized cube steaks: The star of the sandwich, tender and ready to be coated and fried.
- Eggs and milk: Create the binding egg wash that helps the seasoned flour stick perfectly to the steak.
- All-purpose flour and seasonings: A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper makes the coating irresistibly flavorful and spicy.
- Canola oil: Ideal for frying thanks to its high smoke point.
- Unsalted butter: Added to the oil for extra richness and a beautifully golden crust.
- Hamburger buns: Soft, slightly toasted buns hold the sandwich together without overpowering the filling.
- Lettuce leaves: For a fresh, crisp contrast to the crunchy steak and creamy mayo.
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe
Step 1: Make the Spicy Mayo
Start by mixing mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha in a bowl. Season with kosher salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. This spicy mayo is your sandwich’s creamy, tangy, and fiery companion, so cover and chill it to let the flavors meld beautifully while you prepare the steak.
Step 2: Prepare the Steaks
Place each cube steak between two sheets of plastic wrap, then use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the meat thin—less than a ¼ inch thickness. This step ensures the steak cooks quickly and evenly, giving you that signature tender texture. A light seasoning of kosher salt helps build deep flavor from the start.
Step 3: Keep the Steaks Warm
Preheat your oven to 200°F and set a wire rack on a baking sheet inside. This warm resting place will keep the fried steaks crispy and hot while you finish cooking all of them and assemble the sandwiches—a small trick that makes a big difference.
Step 4: Breading Time
Prepare two shallow dishes: one with beaten eggs and milk to act as an egg wash, and the other with flour seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for that irresistible coating. First, dredge each steak in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the egg wash, and coat again with the flour mixture. This double dredge locks in maximum crunch and flavor.
Step 5: Fry the Steaks
Heat canola oil to 350°F in a large frying pan and melt in a tablespoon of unsalted butter. Fry each coated steak for about two minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Move each finished steak to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm while you cook the rest—this method keeps everything crisp and ready for assembling.
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwiches
Lightly toast the hamburger buns to add a subtle crunch and prevent sogginess. Spread a generous layer of the spicy mayo on the bottom halves, then place the crispy chicken fried steaks on top. Add fresh lettuce leaves for a refreshing crunch and spread more spicy mayo inside the top buns. Gently close the sandwiches and prepare for a mouthwatering experience.
How to Serve Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe
Garnishes
Keep the sandwich simple and fresh with crisp lettuce, but if you want to jazz it up, thin slices of pickles or red onion add a nice tangy bite that complements the spicy mayo beautifully. A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper on top can also amplify the flavors just before serving.
Side Dishes
This sandwich pairs wonderfully with classic sides like crispy french fries, coleslaw with a tangy dressing, or even roasted sweet potato wedges. For something lighter, a crunchy pickle or a simple green salad balances the richness of the chicken fried steak.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the sandwich with a side of homemade pickled jalapeños for added heat, or stack a slice of white cheddar or pepper jack cheese inside the sandwich for a cheesy twist. For a fun variation, swap out lettuce for crispy kale or arugula to add a peppery crunch that feels a little more gourmet.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover chicken fried steak sandwiches, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the freshest texture, keep the spicy mayo separate and add it when you’re ready to eat.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked fried steaks (without the buns or mayo) by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month, perfect for a quick meal fix anytime.
Reheating
To bring leftover chicken fried steak back to life, reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes on a wire rack to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy. Toast fresh buns and add fresh spicy mayo and lettuce for the best sandwich experience.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of meat for this Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe?
Yes! While cube steaks are traditional and tender, you can also use thinly pounded round steak or sirloin. Just make sure to pound the meat thinly to keep it tender and quick to cook.
What can I substitute for sriracha if I don’t have any?
If sriracha isn’t available, any hot sauce with a good balance of heat and flavor works well. You can also mix a bit of chili powder and a small dash of cayenne pepper into the mayo for a customized kick.
Is it possible to make this sandwich gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for frying. Just make sure the blend contains binding agents to keep the coating crispy.
How can I add more flavor to the breading?
Feel free to amp up the seasonings in the flour mixture. Adding a pinch of onion powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or more smoked paprika can deepen the flavor profile.
Can I prepare the spicy mayo ahead of time?
Yes! The spicy mayo actually tastes better if made a few hours ahead because the flavors get nicely blended. Just keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe is everything you want in a sandwich: crispy, spicy, creamy, and downright delicious. It’s a fantastic way to turn a Southern classic into a fun, indulgent handheld meal that’s sure to impress family and friends. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked on how simple ingredients come together to create something truly special. Give it a shot—you’re going to love every crunchy bite!
Print
Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich recipe features tenderized cube steaks coated in a flavorful, crispy seasoned flour batter, fried to golden perfection and layered with a spicy sriracha mayo and fresh lettuce on toasted hamburger buns. The sandwich is a delicious twist on the Southern classic, combining crispiness, spice, and creamy tang in every bite.
Ingredients
Spicy Mayo
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 1½ tablespoons sriracha (or hot sauce)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Chicken Fried Steak
- 4 pre-tenderized cube steaks (about 1 pound)
- Kosher salt (for seasoning)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup canola oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (â…› stick)
Assembly
- 4 hamburger buns
- 4 leaves lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the spicy mayo: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, and sriracha sauce. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Tenderize and season the steaks: Place each cube steak between sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the steaks until they are less than ¼-inch thick. Lightly salt the steaks to enhance their flavor.
- Preheat the oven to keep steaks warm: Set your oven to 200°F and place a wire rack over a baking sheet. This will be used to keep the fried steaks warm while assembling the sandwiches without them becoming soggy.
- Dredge the steaks: In one shallow dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk to make an egg wash. In another dish, combine the flour, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Dip each steak first into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and again into the flour mixture to coat evenly. Place the coated steaks on a plate.
- Fry the steaks: Heat canola oil in a large frying pan to 350°F and add the butter to the pan. Carefully place each coated steak in the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked steaks to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Repeat for all steaks.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Lightly toast the hamburger buns. Spread a generous layer of the spicy mayo on the bottom half of each bun. Place a crispy chicken fried steak on top, add a layer of fresh lettuce leaves, then spread more spicy mayo on the inside of the top bun. Close the sandwich gently and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pre-tenderized cube steaks for the best texture and quicker prep time.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfectly crispy, non-greasy fried steaks.
- Keep cooked steaks warm on a wire rack in the oven to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust sriracha amount in the mayo to control the level of spiciness to your preference.
- Lightly toasting buns adds texture and prevents sogginess from the mayo.
