Simple Pan Fried Pork Chops in lemon butter sauce are crunchy on the outside and perfectly tender and delicious on the inside!
Although it’s fairly simple to make, these fried pork chops are quite the impressive dinner entrée! Serve with arugula salad, baked zucchini, and french bread, and you’ll really please your dinner guests!
a new way to cook Pork Chops
When it comes to meat, chicken is my go-to dinner. Having said that, pork chops are becoming another go-to meat for us. In fact, it’s my mom’s favorite.
I’ve grown to love it over the years, but especially fell in love with today’s southern Fried Pork Chops because they were so easy and delicious. They are a new favorite! Serve topped with sliced lemon and fresh herbs, or a side of green beans and potatoes, maybe even top with some gravy!
These pork loins are crunchy on the outside, super tender and juicy on the inside, so flavorful, and made in a pan. You’ve got to try it for yourself (along with our Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops and our Smothered Pork Chops)!
How to Fry Pork Chops
In the past we’ve made Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Baked Pork Chops, but hadn’t tried breading and frying them. Here is what you’ll need to do to fry the pork loins.
PREP. Season boneless pork chops with salt and pepper.
Add flour to a shallow dish. Add eggs and water to another shallow dish. Add bread crumbs and cheese to a third shallow dish.
Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over med-high heat until shimmering.
DREDGE. Prepare each pork chop while oil is heating up. Dredge chops in flour mixture, then egg mixture then bread crumb/cheese mixture.
FRY. Add pork chops to oil and cook for 5 minutes on each side (or until golden brown). Remove from pan and place on paper-towel lined plate or on a rack. Fry remaining pork chops the same way.
LEMON BUTTER SAUCE. Clean out skillet and add ½ cup chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add lemon slices and let liquid reduce by half. Turn heat to low and add the remaining broth along with butter.
SERVE. Add chops back to the pan and coat in the sauce cooking an additional 5 minutes or until fully cooked through. Serve warm. ENJOY!
How to “Clean out the Skillet”
In Step 6 you are instructed to “clean out the skillet”. You do not need a perfectly clean skillet, but you will need to remove the oil from frying.
- Pour the oil into a glass or metal bowl to cool.
- Use a paper towel to wipe the remaining oil out of the skillet. Any browned bits left behind will just add flavor to the lemon butter sauce.
- You can also use a separate pan to bake the sauce.
Breading tips
Sometimes when frying meat the breading doesn’t stick as well as it should. Here are a few tips to help you keep the crumbs on:
- Pat the pork chop dry before dredging in flour. (Note- Use cornstarch to toss the pork in instead of flour.)
- Shake off excess flour before dipping it in the egg mixture.
- Be sure to cover the entire chop with panko.
- Gently press the final coating against the chop.
- Flipping too much can cause the breading to loosen or come off.
recipe tips + STORING
Cast iron skillet. If you have one, use a cast iron skillet for this dish. It’s ideal for frying because it holds and distributes heat so well. It also provides a naturally nonstick surface. Easy clean up is always appreciated!
Moist & tender. Choosing the right cut will help keep these fried pork chops tender. Prime center cut loin chops are ideal for a high heat sear and a medium to medium well doneness. The outside crust will be nice and crispy while the inside remains tender and juicy.
Don’t overcook. Choosing a thin cut will allow for the outside to get crispy and the inside to cook to a light pink to white. A thicker cut will take longer to cook and the crust will burn before the center is done.
Using a meat thermometer will help you get the best cook:
- Medium Rare pink center 145-150°F
- Medium ribbon of pink in the center 150-155°F
- Medium Well a light pink hugh 155-160°F
- Well light white 160°F
Air Fryer. Preheat the airfryer to 380°F. Coat the pork chops as directed in the recipe. Spray both sides with cooking spray and place 2-3 in the airfryer basket. (Make sure they do not touch.) Fry for 6 minutes. Flip and fry for another 4-6 more minutes. *See your airfryer manual for more specific fry times.
Spice. Add some spice to the dish by mixing black pepper or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture. (add to taste)
How to store?
STORE leftover pork chops in an airtight container or wrap in foil and place in the fridge. Properly stored, they can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating. The best way to reheat already fried pork chops is in the oven. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush with olive oil (or spray) and reheat at 350°F for 8 minutes or so on each side.
For more great pork recipes, check out:
- Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
- Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
- BBQ Pork Chops
- Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
- Smothered Pork Chops
- Ranch Pork Chops
Fried Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 thinly sliced center cut pork loin chops
- Salt and pepper, to liking
- ½ to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 to 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup unseasoned Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1-2 tbsp oil for frying
Lemon Butter Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temp
Instructions
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
- Add flour to a shallow dish. Add eggs and water to another shallow dish. Add bread crumbs and cheese to a third shallow dish.
- Heat oil in large skillet over med-high heat until shimmering.
- Prepare each pork chop while oil is heating up. Dredge chops in flour, then egg mixture then bread crumb/cheese mixture.
- Add pork chops to oil and cook for 5 minutes on each side (or until golden brown). Remove from pan and place on paper-towel lined plate.
- Clean out skillet and add ½ cup chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add lemon slices and let liquid reduce by half. Turn heat to low and add the remaining broth along with butter.
- Add chops back to the pan and coat in the sauce cooking an additional 5 minutes or until fully cooked through. Serve warm. ENJOY!
Video
Adapted from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
This recipe is really good. Thanks for sharing this. I would try it out this weekend.
I’d love to know what you think 🙂 Thanks so much & I hope you like it!
This delicious. I can’t wait to try this recipe. I will try tomorrow. Thank Kristyn!
Perfect, thank you!! I’d love to know what you think 🙂
I love pork chops! I haven’t tried a recipe like this one, though! We’re having friends over for dinner this Saturday and I hadn’t decided on a menu, but now I have! This is going to be great with some mashed potatoes!
Oh, it sure would! I hope they are a hit! Good luck and thank you!
This was delicious & very easy to make. I love pork chops, my sister hates pork chops. All she can remember was the way our mother made them( it wasn’t good). Can’t wait to send her the link to this. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’d love to know what she thinks 🙂 They weren’t always my favorite, but finding good recipes help 🙂 Now, I really like them! Thank you!!
I,m looking for your pumpkin cake receipt
Do you know which one? I have a few different ones, but I am leaving a link to pumpkin cake recipes. Hope you find it! https://lilluna.com/?s=pumpkin+cake
I LOVE THIS WEBSITE, PRINTED OUT 2 PORK CHOPS RECIPES.
CANT WAIT TO GET SOME PORK CHOPS AND TRY THESE.
Awe, thank you so much! Let me know what you think of the pork chops!
I just made. I followed your recipe to the dot. It came out Amazing!!! We have them for dinner right now. The pork chops are exactly as descrbed, crispy on outside and juicy and succulent on the inside. Perfect dinner, with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and fresh tomatoes. Delicious. Thank you!
Sounds wonderful! I am so glad you like them! Thank you so much!
Wow, Great recipe. Lovely and fabulous. I will make once and Send you some images which I will make… Otherwise If missed anything then I will tell you to teach me again…. And I will read once again…
Good luck!! I hope you like them!
These pork chops were incredible!! the panko makes them so crispy & that lemon sauce was so good. It was the perfect amount of lemon. I also loved how they don’t take long to make, which makes my family happy!
Pork chops are a favorite in our home. these cook up quick and the lemon sauce Puts these over the top!
I hope you will & hope you like it!
Love how quick and easy this recipe is!
Pork CHops remind me of my childhood! THis recipe did not disappoint!
Absolutely AWESOME pork chops!! Everyone in my family loves them, they’ve become a staple in our home. thank you so much for the recipe!
Love to hear that! Glad it has 🙂 Thank you so much!
Can you cook your fried pork chops recipe in the oven if yes for how long and what temperature
If you want to make baked boneless pork chops without sautéing, here is how we do it…
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180 degrees C). Place pork chops in a baking pan. Spread 1 teaspoon of butter over each pork chop along with any spices. Bake 25-30 minutes in preheated oven, or until the internal temperature of the chops has reached 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
So juicy and tasty! Love it!