Chicken Fried Chicken W/Cream Gravy

Chicken Fried Chicken with a country cream gravy. Breaded chicken breasts, battered and fried similar to fried chicken and topped with a homemade, country cream gravy.
First off I apologize for the awful photos. This post is 14 years old and desperately needs updated photos! 

My search for the perfect
Chicken Fried Chicken recipe has finally come to an end. I have tried a lot of recipes but I haven't liked any of them until now!!! I have made several desserts and cookies this past month. I know that comes along with the holiday territory but after a while it starts to get a bit old.
 
I wanted to post a few dinner meals to even the balance out. When I make Chicken Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Steak I have a lot of problems with the batter falling off when I fry them. This recipe was so easy to prepare and the batter stayed on the chicken perfectly. It was golden brown and turned out so pretty.

I love chicken fried chicken with cream gravy it is one of my favorite southern meals. I actually love it more than chicken fried steak, which is my husbands favorite. I can remember a long time ago when I didn't know how to make cream gravy UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! what a sin. It just took someone with a little patience to show me how to do it.
 
Cream Gravy is so good you can almost bathe in it. Once you learn how to make cream gravy it just kind of sticks with you and you never forget how to make it. I recommend this recipe for anyone who loves chicken fried chicken. The cracker crumbs were the secret ingredient in this recipe. Finally my Quest for the best Chicken Fried Chicken Recipe is over!!

Place chicken breasts between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper evenly over chicken. Set aside.

Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, (I used self rising flour, so I omitted the baking powder but still added the salt you can see below. Crush your cracker crumbs. Add cracker crumbs to the flour mixture and add the salt and pepper.


Whisk together 1 1/2 cups milk and eggs.

now you have your cracker/flour mixture and your egg mixture. Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a 12-inch skillet (do not use a nonstick skillet). Heat to 360°. I only had a non stick skillet so that's what i used, I did not have any problems.



Dredge chicken in cracker crumb mixture and then in the egg mixture. 


then into the cracker crumbs again.


Fry chicken, in batches, 10 minutes, adding oil as needed.



Remove to a wire rack in a jellyroll pan then, keep chicken warm in a 225° oven. I'm just so use to making cream gravy that I don't follow any specific directions. This is how I prepare the gravy, I add about 4 tablespoons of flour to the chicken drippings.


Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. 


Mix the flour together with the grease to make a roux. Use a large fork or a whisk.

Slowly pour milk into reserved drippings a little at a time and stir with a fork or whisk until it starts to thicken. Add more pepper and and salt if needed.

keep whisking while the gravy simmers over low heat and cook until you have the consistency you want. 

Ta DA..... Cream Gravy, now go dig into that chicken fried chicken and slather this gravy all over it.

Sorry this picture is kind of bad. I served mine with corn, mashed potatoes and a salad.




73 comments

Stephanie said…
This looks so yummy! Perfect fried chicken!
Jess said…
This looks delicious!!! I'm so hungry looking at it now!! I am going to have to try this!!
Debbie said…
mmmmm....looks good!
Laura said…
I love chicken fried steak. I'll have to give this a try. Yummmy!
Joan said…
Oh my gosh! My mouth is watering so bad. I cannot wait to try that it looks perfect. My husband tells me I have an abnormal obsession with gravy!
~ Kimberlee B ~ said…
I'm so glad I checked your site today. I was browsing looking for something to do with my skinless chicken thighs tonight, and found this recipe. I've made your banana bread three times already. Thanks again!!
~ Kimberlee B ~ said…
Also, you have gorgeous children!
Live.Love.Eat said…
Wowsers. I think I'm in love!!! I am adding it to my list! But please clarify, which directions should I go by, the ones in your printable recipe or your narration over the pics. You mentioned you didn't do it a certain way.
Tina, these sound wonderful. I've been making oven fried chicken cause I can't stand it by the oven all the time. I've always used Ritz crackers, but I think I'll take your suggestion and use saltine crackers this time. Cause the chicken looks mighty tasty.
Tina Butler said…
Hi Steph if you have never made cream gravy i would follow the direction on the recipe instead of the photo tutorial. I am just so use to making gravy that before i knew it i was whisking up that gravy without reading the directions so i just bipassed that part.
Oh my gosh... looks delicious!
Anonymous said…
Hi! I love your blog! I'll be visiting regularly and try your recipes.
Jo said…
wow looks absolutely delish. thanks for posting this.
Anonymous said…
That looks absolutely divine! If I could've crawled through the screen, I'd have eaten that plate right on the spot. Good 'ol Southern cookin'.
I've always been too intimidated to try this, but maybe I'll give it a try now. It's looks awesome!
Anonymous said…
OH MY GOODNESS!!! We made this for dinner last night and it was fabulous! My husband called me a 'regular Olivia Walton'! My 7 year old "beat up" the chicken and had a blast! Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Unknown said…
I have actually never seen your website before (I apologize) and think the way you go into detail and show step by step pictures is a wonderful idea! I am going to try this recipe tonight. Thank you!!
mickey said…
Oh my these were so good it was sad how fast I ate them .
Kanga said…
Made this for dinner tonight and the family raved! Teenage boy asked (jokingly. I think.) if I would make it again tomorrow night! I struggled a bit because I asked the butcher to trim and pound them for me and the kid put them through the tenderizer machine. My poor little chicken breasts were falling apart - my presentation wasn't as nice as yours but ... the taste was FABULOUS!

I, too, have been making cream gravy (or milk gravy as my Mom called it) for awhile and I made mine the same way you did, *grin* Gotta love makin' a roux!

Thanks again for a delicious recipe!
Kylee said…
I made this last night and oh my goodness!! I am still thinking about it! My family loved it!!! Excellent recipe, chicken fried chicken is my ultimate favorite southern recipe.
Tina Butler said…
Kylee, I am so glad you tried the recipe and liked it. I love chicken fried chicken better than chicken fried steak. So yummy true comfort food.
Anonymous said…
I made this tonight and it was great! My dad and fiance loved it! the oil did get pretty nasty so some pieces came out dark, but im sure that could be fixed by a simple oil change. I will do that next time!
Kelly Polizzi said…
Thank you for sharing your recipe for fried chicken. I had to try this out and we were not disappointed at all! Very delicious. Although your gravy looks much nicer than mine did.
Sherry said…
Even though this looked like a winner, I didn't make it because the measurements were just not there for the cracker crumbs, pepper and salt. I need to know exacts when I'm cooking! If you want a person to make your recipe like you, you have to have exact measurements! Sherry
Tina Butler said…
I am sorry Sherry but I am not sure what you are really saying about the measurements. If you look above all of them are there for everything you mentioned. I have copied the recipe below and doubled checked and the measurements are there. are you sure you have the correct recipe? I even checkded the printable copy. Sorry again but they are all listed for crackers, salt and pepper. See post and below.

8 (6-ounce) skinned and boned chicken breasts
4 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
2 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
76 saltine crackers (2 sleeves), crushed
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
8 cups milk, divided
4 large eggs
robynquick said…
Thank you so much for this recipe. I've been looking for this recipe and I've finally found it. It is my son's favorite meal. He asks for it at least once a week.
Anonymous said…
This recipe was delicious!! My 14 year old son said it was the best meal that I've ever made. Can't get a better compliment than that lol. I couldn't of done it without your great detailed directions! Thank you so much for all your very good recipes Tina!! Man do I wish I would of found your site when you first got it going. I have so much fun looking for your new and ecciting recipes.Oh ya my gravy turned out perfect! I dont always have that much luck with gravy!
Darcy
Armani said…
Omg...it was the best...finger lickin good...me and my husband are really pickie people...u hit nail on the head....thanx ;)
Eva Dukes said…
I love your site. Because I like to try different foods from other countries. And I always wanted to cook more American food.
I tried your Chicken fried chicken the other day and last night. We love it , and I can't believe the secret was salt Crackers!
Though we didn't like the gravy. Must be a cultural thing. It was lovely without it though.
My kids couldn't get enough. And were practically fighting over the last piece. I think we'll make this one of our weekly favourites
I can't wait to try the Salisbury steaks next.
Thanks
Eva
Anonymous said…
OMG!!! I am so pleased to even find a recipe thats authentic let alone has pictures...I love pictures. It makes you know weather or not you're doing it correctly. I am from NYC and my BF is from AR so he likes southern cooking, so I am trying to learn all I can. Thanks so much
Anonymous said…
I tried this recipe for Father's Day and it was a huge success. I love the breading for the chicken it's so good. Thanks for such a good recipe!
Anonymous said…
Hi Tina! I am a 57 year old mom/meemaw who loves to cook and bake also! It is refreshing to see a young person with a love for all the homey things in life...I have always tried to be the old fashioned mom who bakes and cooks from scratch and my kids and grandchildren appreciate it!! Keep up the awesome work...your site is adorable, homey and just screams "COMFORT"!! Good luck to you...my first recipe I am making from your site is the Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Cookie bars...I KNOW my family will love these!! Thanks! Janet K from Pittsburgh, PA : )
Yamellers said…
My hubby & I made this today....and all I can say is that for the first time ever....the fried chicken came out PERFECT!!!! This recipe is fool proof & easy, if I can make it; anyone can! My husband said it's the BEST he's ever had....INCLUDING any from a restaurant!! THANK YOU for the recipe!! Even my 11 year old loved it...and he's SUPER picky!! Happy tummys in my house!
Anonymous said…
Wow! Our first attempt at frying chicken and it turned out perfect! Will definitely add this to our menu, especially since we can't get it in any restaurant here in Barcelona. We were craving fried chicken and stumbled upon your website and we can't wait to try the other recipes!
nicole said…
Making this toniteand I'm excited...since moving from arkansas to washington state we have not been able to find any restaurants up here that cooks it right:) maybe I just need to do it myself :)
Alishia said…
Made this last night and it was AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this southern goodness!
Anonymous said…
We made this tonight for dinner and it was a huge success, everyone loved it and I'll be making it again for sure! Thank you so much!
Mitchypoo said…
We made this tonight for dinner and everyone loved it! Thank you so much!
michael said…
Just made your cfc,absolutely perfect thanx!!!
Unknown said…
Lisa from Houston
This was amazing!!!!! I dont normally fry many foods but this will be one I will make from time to time.
Anonymous said…
Hi! I recently found this recipe during a google search when my husband asked for chicken fried chicken for dinner. I am a vegetarian so I did not try it, but my husband loved this recipe so much. He now asks for it every week. I just wanted to let you know how wonderful this recipe is. Thanks!
Oka said…
This looks delicious! But...
Chicken fried Chicken?..
Tina Butler said…
@Oka,
You must not be from the south! It's
a southern thing. Almost exact to chicken fried steak, but with chicken. This isn't a typo or a dish that is confused with fried chicken. It's just as it's title states "Chicken Fried Chicken"
Unknown said…
I have been in such a quest for quite sometime, this definately looks very delicious!!!
THANK YOU KINDLY FOR SHARING!

RAUL.
Anonymous said…
This recipe was awesome! My gravy didn't turn out right but it could've been user error lol. Thanks for sharing this!!!
Johnny said…
I'm going to make this tonight for my friend and I!! This looks amazing....like CFC should look!
Johnny said…
Ahhhh...finally a CFC that looks like the southern goodness I love. I'm going to make this tonight for my neighbor and myself!! Thank you for the recipe!!
Anonymous said…
Wonderful recipe! It turned out delicious! Can't wait to try out your other recipes!
Anonymous said…
I found this recipe a few weeks ago, and am making it again tonight! My husband loved it, & he doesn't really care for chicken breasts. It is a wonderful recipe. Thank you!
Unknown said…
Just made this tonight for my wife on Mother's Day. It turned out great. Thanks for sharing.
Unknown said…
Love Love Love. I made this as directed and I have to say my family couldnt get enough. Thank you for sharing. Definitely a recipe to keep.
Unknown said…
THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE!!!My hubby LOVES it!! he wants more and more.. you are genius :D
Breanna said…
This is an awesome recipe! My mom used to make this all the time for us growing up and call it chicken fried steak, I went about 30 years before I ordered chicken fried steak at a restaurant and was very disapointed Lol.
I will be making this for my family this week! Thanks!
Anonymous said…
Just wanted to share that I made this recipe last night with crushed up gluten free "saltine" like crackers and Tom Sawyer gluten free flour. This is by far the best chicken recipe I have ever tried! The whole family loved it! We did not make the gravy to go on top so we just had the chicken. So anyone wondering if this recipe can be made gluten free, it CAN and it's amazing. It's the crispiest chicken recipe we have found. Thank you for sharing this recipe! -JoAnna
Anonymous said…
Making this right now & it looks and smells delish, I can't WAIT to dig in! Thank you!
TheNuttyWife said…
SO DELICIOUS!!! I was a little skeptical, but it is so amazing! And turned out the perfect, beautiful golden brown. Not mushy, not too crunchy..just perfect!
Anonymous said…
Making this tonight!!
Anonymous said…
Made this last night. It was my first time making chicken fried chicken and it turned out great.
My 2 year old who is super picky about meat ate 4 of the small toddler size pieces I made. She started with 2 and then actually asked for seconds.
I used bread crumbs instead of the crackers since I didn't have any and it still turned out great.
Anonymous said…
OH MY GOSH THIS IS SO GOOD. I found this earlier today and thought I would give it a shot and it is well worth it. My 14 year old son who is and can be picky liked it and my dad. So looks like this one is a keeper.
Micah Mauderer said…
RITZ CRCKERS MAKE IT BETTER! The instructions are great, and my family loves it! My mom is out of town so me, being the only girl left, made this for the boys and they love it. Make sure you flatten the chicken, and the bits you cut off can be made into nuggets. My secret ingredient is seasoned salt. Sprinkle some on the top and it'll be perfect. Thanks "mommy"! =P
Anonymous said…
Just made this.....so flippin good! Thank you!
Anonymous said…
I cook often and have also had the issue of my breading coming off the meat....I made this this evening and it was fantastic! I will use this method for all of my fried meats. The flavor and texture were wonderful! I would have never thought to use crackers!
lilred70670 said…
Made this tonight, as requested by my 6 yr old grandson after he looked over my shoulder as saw the picture. It was delicious! My grandson ate two pieces, then snagged a third while helping to clear the table! He even ate the first two covered in gravy and he usually won't touch gravy! Thanks for the awesome recipe that got me called the "best cooking nana in the whole world"!LOL
Anonymous said…
I'm getting ready to try this for tonights meal but I wish you would have stated the cup measurements of the crackers. There are only 2 of us and I don't like leftovers so I always cut the recipes. I know, just count the crackers....but I bought the new round saltines and don't know if they are the same size, so I'm just going to have to guess....
Anonymous said…
same here... im only feeding two people so if you figure out the "cup" measurements for this recipe PLEASE share thanks :)
Charis said…
I'm so excited to try this! Do I have to use Peanut oil? Or will canola or vegetable work?
Shari said…
I don't know how I stumbled onto your blog, but this was hands down the best chicken I've ever made and the gravy. My picky eaters loved it! Thank you so much!!
Unknown said…
I've made this twice now and it is soooooo yummy.
Unknown said…
How much flour or baking powder should I use or ill use self rising flour if so how much.
Unknown said…
How much flour and baking powder did u use?
Tina Butler said…
The recipe calls for:
2 1/2 - cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 - teaspoon baking powder
Unknown said…
But only for the cfc how much will it be?
Anonymous said…
Absolutely wonderful!!!
Anonymous said…
Do not know if this is sacrelligious or not.but adding a chicken bullion cube (preferably Knorrs) to the gravy makes it even better.
GeneG