Chicken Fried Steak

The Southern United States is famous for its diverse culinary culture, including dishes like Chicken Fried Steak. Chicken Fried Steak, also known as Country Fried Steak, is a steak made from a tougher cut of beef that is tenderized by pounding it flat into a large piece. It is then breaded and fried using a technique similar to frying chicken, which is precisely how this dish got its name. Today, Rimping Supermarket will take you on a deeper dive into the origins and deliciousness of this classic dish.

The Origin of Chicken Fried Steak: From Germany to Texas

The true origin of Chicken Fried Steak is somewhat debated, but it is generally believed to have roots in Southern American cuisine, particularly in Texas, during the 19th century. European settlers introduced the frying technique.

Food historians suggest that Chicken Fried Steak was adapted from German Wiener Schnitzel, which is a breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet. German immigrants who settled in the American South introduced the method of breading and frying meat to Americans.

After adopting this technique, Americans adapted the recipe by taking tougher cuts of beef, pounding them until tender and thin, and then breading and frying them. This resulted in a texture similar to fried chicken, leading them to name the dish Chicken Fried Steak. The reason for using tougher cuts of beef was to make the most efficient use of available ingredients.

Additionally, Chicken Fried Steak shares similarities with Cotoletta alla Milanese, an Italian dish featuring tender veal or pork breaded and fried, demonstrating a long history of culinary exchange.

The Popularity and Spread of Chicken Fried Steak

Over time, the popularity of Chicken Fried Steak spread across various regions throughout the United States. Each region developed its own ways of seasoning it with various spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. It is commonly served with traditional creamy pepper gravy or tomato gravy, which gives this steak its unique flavor.

Throughout the years, the popularity of Chicken Fried Steak has never waned and continues to grow. It is an accessible and affordable dish because it allows for delicious use of tougher, less expensive cuts of beef. Today, it has become a globally popular dish, not just in American-style restaurants but also widely prepared in households.