Peppery Chicken Fried Chicken

Typically, in Texas and surrounding states, chicken fried steak is deep fried in a pan and served with traditional peppered milk gravy. Got this form southern living.

• Ready In: 42 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 8 (6 ounce)  boneless skinned chicken breasts
• 4 1⁄2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper, divided
• 76  saltine crackers, crushed (2 sleeves)
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 8  cups milk, divided
• 4  large eggs
•  peanut oil

Directions

1. 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.
2. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper evenly over chicken. Set aside.
3. Combine cracker crumbs, 2 cups flour, baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ground red pepper.
4. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups milk and eggs. Dredge chicken in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.
5. Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a 12-inch skillet (do not use a nonstick skillet). Heat to 360°. Fry chicken, in batches, 10 minutes, adding oil as needed. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack in a jellyroll pan. Keep chicken warm in a 225° oven. Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
6. Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, remaining 1 teaspoon black pepper, and remaining 6 1/2 cups milk. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with chicken.