Pan Fried Pork Chops

Pan-Fried Pork Chops are fantastic comfort food that’s surprisingly easy. Thick cut pork chops are coated in a mix of flour and spices, giving them a crispy exterior and a flavor boost that’s just right. Easily transform a few pantry staples into a dish that is packed with flavor.

If you’ve been looking for ways to cut down your grocery bill, pork can be an economical choice that’s also versatile and super flavorful. Give my pork stir fry a try! It’s colorful and full of flavor, but very easy to make. If you’ve got leftover pork, you can turn it into yummy pulled pork sliders, or warm up on a cold night with my sheet pan gnocchi and ground pork dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Crispy Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Perfect Crispiness: Crispy outside with that drool-worthy juicy inside, this recipe comes out perfectly with the texture you hoped for.

Quick and Simple: No overcomplicated recipes here, just a simple-to-make recipe that’s perfect for weeknight family dinners.

Family Friendly Recipe: This pork chops recipe has a mild, pleasant flavor that goes well with classic side dishes and makes just about everyone in the family happy.

What cut of pork is best for frying?

The best cuts of pork for frying are typically thin and don’t require extended cooking times to become tender. These cuts include pork chops, specifically those that are about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick.

Pork loin chops, rib chops, or sirloin chops are excellent choices for pan-frying because they cook quickly and evenly. This results in a crispy, caramelized exterior while staying juicy and flavorful inside.

When you’re pan-frying pork, you don’t want pork to cook too long because the juice will begin to dry up. Thinner cuts allow for faster cooking, so the meat doesn’t become tough or overcooked.

What to Serve with Pork Chops

Pork is so versatile. Its mild flavor makes it a good choice with just about any side dish. Here are a few options we love to give you some ideas:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Veggies or green beans tossed in garlic butter
• Fresh garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette or homemade dressing
• Fluffy rice or buttery cornbread
• Garlicky bruschetta
• Crusty bread
• Mac and cheese

Ingredients

• Pork chops – Look for fresh chops that are about 1/2 inch thick. You can choose bone-in or boneless, as you prefer.
• Flour – This is going to help seal the juices in the meat.
• Seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper – These simple seasonings make a familiar spice blend just about anyone will enjoy. If you want, you can replace the cayenne with paprika for less spicy.
• Canola oil and butter – Replace as desired with other cooking oils or ghee.

How to Make Crispy Pan Fried Pork Chops

STEP ONE: Prep the pork chops. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with seasoned salt.

STEP TWO: Blend the flour mixture. In a flat-bottomed dish (like a pasta bowl or pie plate) combine the flour, seasoned salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk to combine. Dredge each side of the pork chops in the flour mixture, then set aside on a plate.

STEP THREE: Fry the pork chops. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the butter and turn the heat down to medium. Once the butter is melted, add the pork chops. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side. Flip when they’re golden brown, then cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. Depending on how big of a skillet you use, you might have to cook the pork chops in batches.

Tips and Recipe Notes

• A good tip to remember when pan-frying any meat is not to push down on the meat with a spatula or flipper when cooking. This forces the juices to seep out, and you end up with dry meat.
• Coat the pork chops evenly with the seasoning, and even rub it on the sides so the flavor ends up in every bite, and all sides become caramelized and golden brown.
• Try not to crowd the pan. It’s better to leave a bit of room between the pork chops, so use a large frying pan or cook your meat in batches.

What seasonings are good on pork chops?

Pork is easy to season because just about anything tastes good! If you want to adjust the flavor of this recipe, try any of these seasonings:

1. Salt and Black Pepper: So classic and simple, but even just plain old S&P will bring out the flavors of the pork. If you can, use freshly ground pepper and kosher or sea salt to lightly season the meat.
2. Italian Seasoning Blend: A mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder is perfect for a simple pork chop dinner.
3. Cajun Seasoning: A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme gives your pork chops a spicy Cajun kick.
4. Herbes de Provence: This French-inspired blend includes dried thyme, rosemary, marjoram, savory, and sometimes lavender. This sweet and familiar flavor gives your dinner a touch of sophistication.
5. Garlic Herb Seasoning: Combine garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, thyme, and rosemary for a comfort food flavor with a kick of garlic.
6. Smoky BBQ Rub: A blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne gives your pork a sweet, savory flavor with a touch of heat.
7. Ranch Seasoned Pork Chops: Sprinkle some dry Ranch seasoning overtop before cooking for an easy, flavorful dinner.

How to Store Leftovers

In the fridge: Make sure your leftovers are fully cooled, then place them inan airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

In the freezer: Wrap your pork chops in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then in a freezer-safe bag and freezer for up to 2-3 month. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before eating again.

How to Reheat: The best way to reheat these pork chops is in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. This should help them retain their moisture. You can also use the microwave, but your pork might dry out just a bit.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can. Just use gluten-free flour in the seasoning mix. Check your other ingredients to make sure there’s no hidden gluten!

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