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Spiced Crunchy Pork Chops

By Ashley Moore

Published on January 29, 2019

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Spiced Crunchy Pork Chops

Ingredients

4 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in pork rib chops, ½ inch thick, trimmed¾ cups all-purpose flour 3 large eggs 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon pepper 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 tablespoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup vegetable oil, for fryingLemon wedges

Before You Begin

Use pork chops that measure no more than ½ inch thick in this recipe to ensure that the meat cooks through before the breading begins to burn. If you can find only chops that are slightly thicker than ½ inch, gently pound the meat thin with a meat pounder, taking care not to crush the bones. Using two spatulas rather than tongs to flip the chops helps the coating stay intact.

Instructions

  1. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet and line half of rack with triple layer of paper towels. Pat chops dry with separate paper towels.
  2. Place flour in shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in second shallow dish. Combine panko, salt, pepper, coriander, mustard, and cayenne in third shallow dish.
  3. Working with 1 chop at a time, dredge chops in flour, shaking off excess; dip in eggs, allowing excess to drip off; then coat with panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer chops to large plate.
  4. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Add 2 chops and cook until golden brown on first side, 2 to 3 minutes. (Adjust burner, if necessary, to maintain oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees.) Using 2 spatulas, gently flip chops; continue to cook until golden brown on second side and meat registers 140 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  5. Transfer chops to paper towel—lined side of prepared wire rack and let drain for 15 seconds on each side, then move to unlined side of rack. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining 2 chops. Serve with lemon wedges.
Spiced Crunchy Pork Chops
Photography by Keller + Keller. Styling by Catrine Kelty.

Spiced Crunchy Pork Chops

Save

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in pork rib chops, ½ inch thick, trimmed
¾ cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

4 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in pork rib chops, ½ inch thick, trimmed
¾ cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

4 (5- to 7-ounce) bone-in pork rib chops, ½ inch thick, trimmed
¾ cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We were after what that box of Shake 'n Bake in the grocery store promises: a crunchy coating for pork chops that doesn't fall off or sog out while cooking. We found that a standard breading procedure, which consists of a flour dredge, a dip in beaten eggs, and then a dunk in a seasoned bread-crumb mixture, gave us exactly what we wanted. We briefly cooked the chops in some oil and then finished them with a spritz of lemon for acidity.

Before You Begin

Use pork chops that measure no more than ½ inch thick in this recipe to ensure that the meat cooks through before the breading begins to burn. If you can find only chops that are slightly thicker than ½ inch, gently pound the meat thin with a meat pounder, taking care not to crush the bones. Using two spatulas rather than tongs to flip the chops helps the coating stay intact.

Instructions

  1. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet and line half of rack with triple layer of paper towels. Pat chops dry with separate paper towels.
  2. Place flour in shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in second shallow dish. Combine panko, salt, pepper, coriander, mustard, and cayenne in third shallow dish.
  3. Working with 1 chop at a time, dredge chops in flour, shaking off excess; dip in eggs, allowing excess to drip off; then coat with panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer chops to large plate.
  4. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Add 2 chops and cook until golden brown on first side, 2 to 3 minutes. (Adjust burner, if necessary, to maintain oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees.) Using 2 spatulas, gently flip chops; continue to cook until golden brown on second side and meat registers 140 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  5. Transfer chops to paper towel—lined side of prepared wire rack and let drain for 15 seconds on each side, then move to unlined side of rack. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining 2 chops. Serve with lemon wedges.

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