Pork chops always seem to be on sale at the market. So, naturally, it is time for shake and bake pork chops to get added to the menu. For quick and easy meals, this recipe is great to keep on hand. The whole family will love it.
Juicy pork chops are a delicious meal to have on hand any day of the week. If you want the best results, follow the steps below. Save this recipe as an easy recipe for quick pork chop recipes!
Shake and bake pork chops are a classic weeknight dinner staple that many of us grew up with. The crunchy, seasoned coating provides a quick and easy way to add flavor to boneless pork chops without the mess and hassle of deep frying. But did you know that you can also pan fry shake and bake pork chops for a delicious skillet-cooked version?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make pan-fried shake and bake pork chops, from the ingredients and prep to cooking techniques and serving suggestions. Whether you’re looking to recreate a nostalgic childhood favorite or spice up your weekly menu, pan-fried shake and bake delivers on flavor and satisfaction.
An Overview of Shake and Bake Pork Chops
The concept behind shake and bake pork chops is simple – coat boneless pork chops in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, then bake them in the oven. This results in a crispy, crunchy exterior coating on the chops. The shake and bake seasoning mix adds tons of flavor with common ingredients like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
While baking is the traditional preparation, pan frying take shake and bake chops to the next level By cooking the coated chops in a skillet, you amplify the crispiness of the coating The pork chops end up with a remarkably crunchy crust encasing the juicy, tender interior. It’s a quick and easy upgrade to a classic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of the appeal of shake and bake pork chops is how simple the ingredient list is. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Boneless pork chops – Lean boneless chops work best Go for center cut chops around 3/4 inch thick
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Eggs – Used as the “glue” to help the coating stick. Beaten eggs work perfectly.
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Milk – Combined with the egg for the coating mixture.
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Seasoned breadcrumbs – Look for Italian style or panko breadcrumbs with added seasoning.
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Salt and pepper – For seasoning the raw pork chops.
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Oil – For pan frying. A neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil is ideal.
That’s really all you need for flavorful and crunchy pan-fried shake and bake pork chops!
Step-by-Step Guide to Pan Frying Shake and Bake Chops
With just a few easy steps, you can go from raw pork chops to perfectly pan-fried shake and bake chops in less than 30 minutes:
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Prepare your breading station – Set up three shallow dishes or pans. One with the beaten egg and milk. One with the seasoned breadcrumbs. And one empty for the raw pork chops.
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Season the chops – Pat the pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. This adds flavor and helps the coating stick better.
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Bread the chops – One at a time, dip the chops in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then place them in the breadcrumbs, pressing to coat on both sides.
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Heat the pan – Pour about 1/4 inch of oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Test the oil temperature by sprinkling a small amount of breadcrumbs. It should sizzle on contact when hot enough.
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Pan fry the chops – Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chops. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
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Drain and serve – Transfer the fried pork chops to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Enjoy immediately!
With this simple process, you’ll get pork chops encased in an ultra crispy, flavor-packed coating. Pan frying really takes this classic to the next level in terms of texture.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Results
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your pan-fried shake and bake pork chops turn out perfectly crunchy:
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Use very hot oil and don’t overcrowd the pan – This prevents steaming instead of frying.
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Let oil reheat between batches – Maintain optimal frying temperature.
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Press coating onto the chops – A thick, even coating means better crunch.
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Don’t flip too early – Allow the coating to set before flipping to prevent sticking.
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Fry until deeply golden – Good color equals maximum crispiness.
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Drain fried chops well – Excess oil ruins the crispy texture.
Follow these tips and you’ll be guaranteed to achieve the signature crunch factor with your pan-fried chops.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many possibilities when it comes to serving pan-fried shake and bake pork chops. Here are some delicious ideas:
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Serve with roasted potatoes or fries for a satisfying homestyle meal.
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Pair with a fresh green salad or coleslaw for some crunch and acidity.
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For a complete dinner, add a vegetable like broccoli, green beans, or roasted carrots.
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Top with sauteed peppers and onions for a pop of flavor and color.
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Drizzle with gravy for an extra layer of rich, savory flavor.
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Stuff into rolls to transform them into crispy pork chop sandwiches.
No matter how you serve them up, pan-fried shake and bake pork chops make for a quick, budget-friendly dinner option everyone will love. With this complete guide, you’ll be able to master this classic dish at home with ease.
What to Serve With
If you don’t eat all the pork chops during your meal, store leftovers in an airtight container. The best way to reheat your meat is by preheating an air fryer or oven to 350 degrees. Place the leftover shake and bake pork chops in the oven or air fryer until heated through. In an air fryer, this will take three to five minutes. In the oven, it could take up to ten minutes. We don’t recommend using the microwave, as this will result in soggy pork chops.
The seasoned coating on your chicken or pork chops will provide a crispy crust. The benefit is that you don’t have the mess of frying your meal. The crispy coating provides savory flavors for your boneless pork chops. Crispy baked pork chops are the best kind of pork chops.
While cooking your meat, you may notice juices pooling on the pan. This will create excess moisture, but you can prevent this by cooking the meat on a wire rack. The meat will be raised above the juices and remain crispy.
Once the bread crumbs are all over the pork chop, make sure the oven is very hot. Pre-heating makes a huge difference. Pork chops are typically only about a half-inch thick unless you buy the super-thick ones. These thinner cuts will cook faster, but watch out! You don’t want them to dry out, but you do want the breading to get brown. So, having a nice high heat is crucial. You will only need to flip them once. That’s perfect because then you don’t have to lose the heat opening the oven again and again.
How to Make Shake and Bake Pork Chops
- Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees F.
- Spread butter around the bottom of a large baking dish by swirling it. You might not need to use all two tablespoons; just enough to cover the pan.
- Whisk the egg and milk in a large bowl.
- Pour your breadcrumbs into another shallow dish.
- Season the pork with some salt and pepper.
- Before putting the pork chops in the breadcrumb dish, dip each one in the egg wash and let the extra drip off. Put the pork chop in the breadcrumbs and press it down to cover it all.
- Lay your pork chops on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chops for 20 to 25 minutes. Flip them once halfway through the cooking time. You can tell the pork chops are done when an instant-read thermometer reads 145 F inside them.
- After letting the chops rest for 5 minutes, serve them with your favorite sides.
If you don’t want to use butter in the pan, olive oil works just as well.
Shake ‘n Bake Pork Chops
FAQ
Can you pan fry with Shake N Bake?
Should I bake or pan fry pork chops?
Can you fry shake and bake in oil?
How do you pan fry pork chops so they are not dry?
How do you cook pork chops with Shake and bake?
Here are some different ways of cooking pork chops with Shake and Bake: Baked Pork Chops: Baking your pork chops in the oven is one of the most popular cooking methods. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place seasoned pork chops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Can you pan fry pork chops?
If you wish to pan-fry your coated pork chops, use a small amount of vegetable oil that is low in saturated fats like canola oil. Fry the pork chops in a large skillet over medium-high heat, for about 5 minutes on each side.
Can you cook pork chops with Shake and bake coating mix?
It is possible to cook pork chops with Shake and Bake coating mix. It adds flavor and a crispy texture to your pork chops. Shake and Bake is specifically designed for this purpose, and it can be used to make delicious and juicy pork chops in a fraction of the time it would take to prepare and fry them.
How do you cook pork chops in the oven?
Baked Pork Chops: Baking your pork chops in the oven is one of the most popular cooking methods. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place seasoned pork chops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Drizzle olive oil over them before the shake and bake part.