This Chicken Fried Steak is perfectly seasoned with a crispy coating and a mouthwateringly juicy and tender interior. Fried to golden perfection and topped with a homemade gravy.
Hey there, fellow food lovers! Today I’m gonna share with you my absolute favorite methods for reheating chicken fried steak. We’ve all been there – you made too much of that delicious southern comfort food, and now you’re staring at leftovers in the fridge wondering how to revive that crispy coating without turning it into a sad, soggy mess.
Well, worry no more! I’ve tested several methods and I’m here to share what actually works to bring back that delightful crunch we all crave Trust me, with these techniques, your leftover chicken fried steak will taste almost as good as freshly made!
Why Proper Storage Matters First
Before we dive into reheating methods, let’s talk about proper storage. According to Michelle McGlinn, a recipe developer for Tasting Table, “Leftovers aren’t ideal, but can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.”
The key here is to store your gravy separately from the fried steak. This prevents the crispy coating from getting soggy while it sits in the fridge. I always put my leftover chicken fried steaks in one container and the gravy in another – it’s a small step that makes a HUGE difference!
Methods to Avoid: The Microwave Trap
First things first – avoid the microwave at all costs! I made this mistake once and ended up with a sad, rubbery piece of meat with a soggy exterior. Not appetizing at all!
Food doesn’t heat up evenly in microwaves, and fried foods lose their crunch. The outside doesn’t get crispy anymore, and the meat often gets tough. Allow us to imagine that you don’t have a microwave when you need to reheat chicken fried steak, k?
The Best Methods for Reheating Chicken Fried Steak
Now let’s get to the good stuff! Here are the two best methods that’ll bring back that delicious crunch:
Method 1: The Air Fryer Method (My Personal Favorite!)
The air fryer is hands down the BEST way to reheat chicken fried steak. It’s quick, convenient, and gives amazing results! Here’s how I do it:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket/tray with cooking spray (to prevent sticking)
- Place your chicken fried steak in the air fryer
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Heat your gravy separately on the stovetop or in the microwave
- Spoon the warm gravy over your crispy reheated steak and enjoy!
I really like this method because it works quickly and keeps the outside crispy. The moving hot air pretty much recreates the original way of frying, but without using more oil. Great job! The steak is warm and crispy, but not tough or dry.
Method 2: The Conventional Oven Method
If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! Your regular oven can do a fantastic job too. It just takes a little longer. Here’s my process:
- Preheat your oven to 350-400°F
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Place your chicken fried steak on the lined baking sheet
- Bake for about 5 minutes until heated through and crispy
- Heat your gravy separately
- Serve and enjoy!
Pro tip: For even better results, place the steaks on a wire rack over your baking sheet. This allows air to circulate underneath, giving you a crispier bottom!
The Wire Rack Hack for Extra Crispiness
I’ve found that using a wire rack in the oven makes a BIG difference! When you place the chicken fried steak directly on a baking sheet, the bottom can get a bit soggy. But with a wire rack, hot air circulates all around the steak, giving you crispy goodness on all sides.
This simple tip has changed the way I reheat chicken fried steak, and I never do it without it now!
Gravy Reheating Tips
Let’s not forget about the gravy! Here’s how I handle it:
-
Stovetop method: Pour gravy into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
-
Using a microwave: Put the gravy in a container that can go in the microwave, cover it loosely, and heat it for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time, until it’s hot.
The gravy might thicken as it sits in the fridge. If that happens, just add a splash of milk or water while reheating and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Here’s a neat little hack I learned: to keep your gravy warmer for longer while you’re serving, warm up the serving dish or gravy boat beforehand by rinsing it with hot water!
Comparing Reheating Methods
To make things easier, here’s a quick comparison of the different methods:
| Method | Time | Crispiness | Ease | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 3-4 minutes | Excellent | Very Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Oven | 5+ minutes | Very Good | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Microwave | 1-2 minutes | Poor | Easiest | ⭐ (avoid!) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In my journey of reheating many chicken fried steaks (yes, I make it THAT often!), I’ve made some mistakes that you can learn from:
• Reheating at too high temperatures: This can dry out the meat before the coating gets crispy.
• Not letting the steak come to room temperature: Taking the steak straight from the fridge to high heat can result in uneven heating.
• Reheating with the gravy: As mentioned earlier, this is a big no-no! Always reheat them separately.
• Covering the steak while reheating: This traps steam and makes the coating soggy.
• Not using a wire rack in the oven: The bottom of your steak won’t get crispy without proper air circulation.
How to Tell When It’s Ready
You’ll know your chicken fried steak is perfectly reheated when:
- The coating is crispy and golden (not dark brown)
- The meat is heated all the way through
- It sizzles slightly when you cut into it
If you’re unsure, you can always use a meat thermometer – aim for an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Making the Most of Your Reheated Meal
Now that you’ve successfully reheated your chicken fried steak, let’s talk about making it a complete meal again! Here are some quick sides that pair perfectly and can be made while your steak is reheating:
• Fresh garden salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Quick-cooking mashed potatoes
• Texas toast or biscuits
• Corn on the cob
I personally love serving my reheated chicken fried steak with some fresh greens to balance out the richness!
When to Just Make a New Dish Instead
Let’s be honest – sometimes leftovers are past their prime. If your chicken fried steak has been in the fridge for more than 4 days, or if it has an off smell or appearance, it’s best to just toss it and make a fresh batch.
Food safety is super important, and no reheating method can make spoiled food safe to eat!
My Personal Experience
I remember the first time I tried to reheat chicken fried steak in the microwave – what a disaster! The crispy coating turned into a sad, soggy mess, and the meat was tough and chewy. It was so disappointing that I almost swore off making extra chicken fried steak altogether!
But then I discovered the air fryer method, and it was a total game-changer. Now I actually look forward to leftover chicken fried steak, and sometimes I even make extra on purpose just so I can have it again the next day. My kids actually fight over who gets the leftovers now!
Final Thoughts
Reheating chicken fried steak doesn’t have to result in disappointment. With the right methods – particularly the air fryer or oven with a wire rack – you can bring back that delicious crunch and enjoy your leftovers almost as much as the fresh-made version.
Remember these key points:
• Store gravy separately
• Avoid the microwave
• Use an air fryer for best results
• If using an oven, place on a wire rack
• Reheat gravy separately on stovetop or microwave
Until next time, happy reheating!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my other guides on reheating various foods to perfection. Next week I’ll be tackling how to bring back crispy fried chicken!
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
- Get the dredge and batter ready. Set up a line of dishes to be served. Put the flour and 1 teaspoon of salt in a dish. Put the rest of the pepper, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, baking soda, baking powder, buttermilk, and eggs in a different bowl. Whisk well. Place a cooling rack next to the plates.
- Dredge the steaks: Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, then dip it in the buttermilk mixture, and finally back in the flour mixture. Do this with each steak one at a time. Place the steak on the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining steaks. Reserve 1/4 cup of the flour mixture.
- Put the steaks in the pan and heat the oil. In a large cast iron skillet, heat the cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F. Depending on how big your steaks are and how many can fit, use tongs to add one or two to the pan. Fry for three to four minutes, or until browned. After flipping the steaks, cook for another two to three minutes, or until they are browned. Transfer steaks to a paper lined plate. Repeat with remaining steaks.
- To make the gravy, carefully pour the frying oil into a heat-safe bowl, being careful to keep most of the brown bits that are still in the pan. Put back ¼ cup of the grease in the pan and set it over medium-high heat. Whisk in the reserved ¼ cup of flour mixture. For about two to three minutes, whisk it all the time until it turns brown. Add the 2 cups of milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and keep whisking for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture gets thick. Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the steaks with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side.
What is Chicken Fried Steak
Well, I’m here to answer all of your questions! Chicken fried steak, which is also sometimes called “country-fried steak” (I’ll get to that in a minute), is a real “southern comfort food” dish. It’s best known as a breaded cutlet that looks like a schnitzel. The “chicken fried” part of the name comes from using a similar cooking method to fried chicken, but instead of poultry, a beefsteak is coated with seasoned flour, pan-fried to golden brown perfection and served with a rich and creamy gravy. In short: It’s a crispy coated fried steak with a creamy gravy!.
The Secret To Reheating Fried Chicken
FAQ
How to warm up leftover chicken fried steak?
Heat It Quickly In An Air Fryer – To use an air fryer to reheat the extra chicken fried steak, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so the steaks come out warm and crispy but not tough or dry. Apr 27, 2024.
How to reheat chicken steak?
If you want to reheat chicken on the stove, heat a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. (This works best for smaller pieces of chicken.) Add chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cover the pan with a lid. Heat: Heat for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly heated and reaches 75°C (165°F).