Blackened Pork Chops

Simple, quick, and delicious, these Blackened Pork Chops are one of our favourite proteins to have on hand. The smoky flavour mixed with a touch of lime and a tender pork chop makes eating this dish an excellent dining experience. Make these pork chops ahead to take the stress out of your weeknight dinners!

This recipe is only four ingredients, five minutes of prep time, and freezer friendly, making each step of the process smooth. Pairing these with a starch that’s quick to throw together and a side salad makes dinner feel as easy as can be, without sacrificing flavour or nutritional value. Your kids will be asking for this one time and time again… trust us!

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Blackened Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops, boneless, about 1/2-inch thick
• 1 Tbsp blackened seasoning
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 lime slices

Assembly instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a large freezer bag. Gently mix in the bag to even cover the pork chops with the seasoning. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until an internal temperature of 145° is reached. Or cook on the BBQ for 3-4 minutes per side. Or cook in the air fryer cook at 400° for 10-15 minutes, turning once. Squeeze fresh lime over chops before serving.

Blackened Pork Chop FAQs & Tips:

What is blackened seasoning? This seasoning typically contains ingredients like salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and herbs like thyme and oregano. The result? A smoky, savoury, and slightly spicy mix that’s well loved on proteins like chicken, pork, and fish.

Are bone-in or boneless pork chops better for this recipe? We prefer using boneless pork chops for this recipe because of how quickly and evenly they cook. At 1/2 an inch thick, they typically only require 3-4 minutes per side when cooked in a skillet (but always double check the internal temperature!). Some argue that bone-in pork chops are juicier, but if you’re careful not to overcook your boneless chops, you can get them just as tender and juicy.

BBQ vs skillet vs air fryer: To choose a cooking method for your Blackened Pork Chops, there are a few of things to keep in mind. 1) Smoky flavour. 2) Juiciness/tenderness. 3) Ease. A BBQ grill will deliver on smoky flavour, but requires a bit more of you and may dry out your pork chops. A skillet will help maintain your juicy/tender chops and is quite quick and easy. And an air fryer is as easy as it gets, and, when not overcooked, won’t dry out your chops.

What to serve with Blackened Pork Chops: Boiled baby potatoes and a healthy dollop of applesauce are some of our favourite sides to pair with these chops. They also go very well with light, fresh ingredients in dishes like mango salsa or your favourite coleslaw. For some extra greens, sauté some green beans or asparagus. Moral of the story, whatever simple starch and refreshing fruit or vegetable you have on hand will likely pair well.

How long do Blackened Pork Chops last? If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat in the microwave.

Important note: If you have thicker pork chops, you will have to increase your cooking time. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the centre of the thickest part of the meat reaches 145°F for safe consumption.

Other similar freezer-friendly protein recipes:

We love how much easier having a protein in the freezer, ready to cook makes our weeknights. Goodbye 5pm dinner panic! Check out these other make-ahead protein recipes and let us know what you think:

• Honey Bourbon Meatballs
• Grape Jelly Roast
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• Chili Lime Pork Chops (in case you have extra pork chops!)
• Smoky Tequila Lime Chicken

Print

Blackened Pork Chops

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Keyword: air fryer, pork, pork chops

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 210 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops boneless, about 1/2-inch thick
• 1 Tbsp blackened seasoning
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 lime slices

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a large freezer bag. Gently mix in the bag to even cover the pork chops with the seasoning. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking instructions

1. Thaw. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until an internal temperature of 145° is reached. Or cook on the BBQ for 3-4 minutes per side. Or cook in the air fryer cook at 400° for 10-15 minutes, turning once. Squeeze fresh lime over chops before serving.