Fried Pork Chops
These Fried Pork Chops deliver 49g protein and 555 calories per serving — a lean, meat-focused option for strength training days. Four servings come together on the stovetop with quick prep, ideal for weeknight cooking or batch sessions. Covers most of your protein needs in a single dinner while keeping preparation straightforward.
Ingredients
- •Pork Chops, Bone-In(907g)
- •¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- •½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Flour, All-Purpose, White(60g)
- •Paprika, Ground(10g)
- •Mustard powder(5g)
- •Garlic powder(3g)
- •Onion powder(3g)
- •Cayenne Pepper, Ground(1g)
- •Vegetable oil(45g)
- •Unsalted Butter(30g)
- •Lemon
- •Chopped fresh herbs or green onions (optional for serving)
Instructions
- 1Remove the pork from the refrigerator. Immediately pat dry, then season on both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Let stand at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before cooking; if time allows, let stand 30 minutes (the extra time with the salt on the outside will help make the chops more juicy).
- 2In a wide, shallow bowl (a pie plate works well), stir together the flour, paprika, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- 3Working one at a time, dredge each pork chop in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Transfer to a clean plate.
- 4Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet (cast iron is great here!) over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter. Once the butter is melted, carefully lower in two of the pork chops, working away from you so the oil doesn't spatter. Make sure the chops are not touching.
- 5Cook 3 minutes on the first side without disturbing, until the pork is deeply golden and releases easily from the pan. Flip and cook an additional 45 to 90 seconds on the other side, until it reaches 135°F degrees on an instant read thermometer (per the FDA, pork is cooked at 145°F, but its temperature will continue to rise as it rests).
- 6Transfer the fried pork chops to a plate or cutting board and cover to keep warm. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet, the repeat with the remaining two chops. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Enjoy warm with a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of herbs.
Nutrition — Per Serving
555
calories
49g
protein
39g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 15g
- Saturated fat
- 8.7g
- Sodium
- 129 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 2.0g
4 servings per batch · ~266g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Fried Pork Chops have per serving?
Each serving delivers 49g of protein and 555 calories with 39g fat and 15g carbs. The protein load is strong, though the fat content is significant due to the frying preparation method.
How long does Fried Pork Chops take to prep?
Quick prep time on the stovetop yields 4 servings in a single batch. You can fry all pork chops at once and portion them out for multiple meals throughout the week.
Is Fried Pork Chops good for muscle gain?
At 49g protein per 555 calories, this recipe supports muscle-gain phases when caloric surplus is the priority. The combination of protein and calories makes it suitable for post-workout meals during a bulk cycle.
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