Description
This Country Fried Chicken and Gravy recipe delivers classic Southern comfort food with crispy, golden chicken breasts fried to perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy homemade gravy. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it combines seasoned breading and a luscious milk-based gravy for a satisfying dish that’s quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons steak seasoning
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
Gravy
- ⅓ cup reserved frying oil (from cooking chicken)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Make Breading and Batter: In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons each of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and steak seasoning. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk and the large egg until fully blended.
- Bread and Fry Chicken: Dredge the chicken breasts first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip them into the milk and egg batter, and finally coat them again with the flour mixture. Heat ⅔ cup vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make Gravy: Remove all but ⅓ cup of the residual frying oil from the skillet. Add ⅓ cup flour to the oil to create a roux, cooking and stirring constantly for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens into a smooth gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Place the fried chicken on plates and generously pour the creamy gravy over the top. Serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken allows for even cooking and a crispier exterior.
- Maintain medium-high heat while frying to avoid soggy breading.
- Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (74°C).
- Reserve some frying oil for making the gravy to retain flavor.
- The gravy thickens as it cools; adjust milk quantity if needed for desired consistency.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or green beans for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
