Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce (2024)

By Kim Hardesty

Seasoned Mexican pork chops recipe topped with a tasty (chile) chili verde sauce cooks in one pan in minutes. Serve with Mexican green beans and a cheesy cauliflower mash for the ultimate low carb Mexican food meal!

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Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce (1)

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I recently visited my brother and his family in Texas. There’s a Mexican grocery near his house which he swears has the best meat in town, for the best prices. One of his favorite purchases is Mexican style pork chops or chuletas de puerco (chuletas de cerdo). The Mexican pork chops are thinly sliced bone-in pork chops that cook up in minutes. He fries them in a pan and claims they taste like bacon (I think they taste like pork chops).

Mexican Pork Chops with Chile Verde Sauce and Cotija Cheese

Unless you’re from New Mexico, you may not be familiar with chile verde which is a stew made from roasted green peppers (specifically Hatch green chiles) and pork. It’s a bit thinner in consistency than the typical stew and often ladled over other dishes as a condiment. I love it served in a bowl and topped with an egg, ladled over chicken enchiladas or served in a tortilla as a soft taco. It’s delicious.

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce (2)

This Mexican pork chops recipe is a version of chile verde. Instead of stewing the pork with the green chile peppers, I cooked the pork chops in a pan and then made a quick chile verde sauce to spoon over the pork chops. I found thin-cut, bone-in pork chops at my grocery store but substitute boneless pork chops if you'd prefer. Just make sure to pound them to ½ inch thickness so they cook quickly. I suggest to butterfly them before pounding.

If you haven’t noticed, this is a low carb recipe. Yes, you can have low carb Mexican food while watching your carbs. I stick with more traditional Mexican recipes that don’t require tortillas or rice, but you can always find substitutes for your favorite things. I often use low carb tortillas for soft tacos and cauliflower rice in place of Mexican rice. This time I made a meal of chile verde pork chops, Mexican green beans and cheesy cauliflower mash. It was delicious. I'm sure you'll love it, too.

For an interesting shrimp chile verde recipe check out this great appetizer on Beauty and the Foodie.

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce is 3 net carbs per serving.

(This post and recipe may contain affiliate links.)

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce (3)

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce

Seasoned Mexican pork chop recipe topped with a tasty (chile) chili verde sauce cooks in one pan in minutes. Serve with Mexican green beans and a cheesy cauliflower mash for the ultimate low carb Mexican food meal!

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: chili verde, green chili

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 232kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork chops (4 thin-cut, bone-in pork chops) (can use boneless, but pound thin)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (divided)

Seasoning Rub

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon powdered cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon chile powder
  • teaspoon black pepper

Chile Verde Sauce Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ cup salsa verde, I like Herdez (or 4 oz diced green chiles with liquid)*
  • ½ teaspoon chicken base
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Optional Ingredients

  • water if needed
  • 2 tablespoon *cilantro if using diced green chiles
  • Cotija cheese for garnish (or feta)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Remove pork chops from the refrigerator to come to room temperature for at least 20 minutes. Mix seasonings. Chop onions, mince garlic, and finely chop cilantro if using canned chiles or as an additional garnish. Crumble Cotija cheese if using.

Method:

  • Rub about 1 ½ teaspoon of oil over both surfaces of the pork chops and sprinkle sprinkle with seasoning. Rub the seasoning into the meat for good adhesion.

  • Place a large pan over medium heat and allow it to get very hot. Add 1 ½ teaspoon of oil, swirling to coat the pan. Put the pork chops in the pan being careful not to crowd them. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip. Cook for three minutes more and remove to a plate. Tent with a piece of foil to keep warm.

  • Add the onion and garlic to the pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Saute until they begin to become transluscent, about 1 minute. If they aren't softening, add 1-2 tablespoon water to help them along. Add the chicken base and stir into the onions and garlic.

  • Measure the salsa verde (or can of green chiles) into the pan and add the juices from the pork. Scrape-up any browned bits in the pan. (If you used canned chiles, add the cilantro now). Simmer the sauce until thickened but still spoonable. Taste to adjust seasoning. (Alternately, return the pork to the pan and simmer gently as the sauce thickens.)

Serve:

  • Place a pork chop on a serving plate and top with ¼ of the chile verde sauce. Garnish with cilantro (or fresh oregano) and crumbled Cojita cheese. Serves 4.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 232Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Sodium 352mg15%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Protein 15g30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 17g | Sodium: 352mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. caroline k

    My whole family loved this, including my very particular 10 year old daughter, who doesn't usually like most meats! She had seconds and it blew me away. Thanks so much!

    Reply

    • Kim Hardesty

      I am so happy to hear this, Caroline! Kids can be particular and can feel like you've won the lottery when you find something they like. Yay! Have a nice week. -Kim

      Reply

  2. Kelly

    I made this and it is absolutely delicious! Saved the recipe and will use again, actually teach my hubby how to make.

    Reply

    • Kim

      I'm so glad that you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Kelly. It's so easy that I'm sure you husband will learn it very easily. Thanks for your nice comment and for rating the recipe. Have a great weekend. -Kim

      Reply

  3. Sam

    I made this for my GF. It was easy and tasted great. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Kim

      Great, Sam. I'm happy you liked it. -Kim

      Reply

  4. Bill

    Really would love to have that green bean recipe that you suggest as an accompaniment...hint, hint

    thanks

    Reply

    • Kim

      Hi, Bill. I didn't like the photos. I plan to reshoot several recipes this weekend and post them next week. Thanks for checking up on the recipe. -Kim

      Reply

  5. Deborah

    Planned to grill pork chops and decided to merge the two and use your chile verde for a topping as I had the right ingredients. WOW. So good. Used feta for the cheese as I did not have the cotija. Was delicious. Great recipe Kim.

    Reply

    • Kim

      Sounds like a delicious meal, Deborah. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have a great weekend. -Kim

      Reply

  6. Adina

    Such a great looking dish! I know almost nothing about Mexican food, well except the obvious things like tortillas or burritos, there just isn't anything related to Mexico around here, so sad! Should I try this recipe, I will have to make salsa verde myself I suppose, that is also something unavailable here. Oh, I am hungry!

    Reply

    • Kim

      Thank you, Adina. You could absolutely make a salsa verde with roasted green peppers. Homemade would taste even better! Have a great day. -Kim

      Reply

Mexican Pork Chops Recipe with (Chile) Chili Verde Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

A longer brine will bring more moisture into the pork, but a quick brine will still be helpful if you're in a rush to get dinner started. A thick pork chop (1 ½” to 2”) can brine for longer, but avoid brining for more than 8 hours to prevent toughness. After brining, rinse pork chops and pat dry to remove excess salt.

What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

How do you thicken chile verde sauce? ›

Use All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews.

What is the difference between chili verde and green chili? ›

In Spanish, chili verde means “green chili” and refers to the fruit people often use to give heat to dishes they are cooking. So, on the one hand, chili verde is an ingredient. On the other hand, green chili is a complete dish with which many people are familiar.

Is it better to bake or pan fry pork chops? ›

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

What seasoning is good on pork chops? ›

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

How do you make pork soft and tender? ›

Sear the pork, then bake it.

For instance, you might sear your pork in a hot pan on the stove (or on the grill), then transfer your pork to the oven (or move it to a cooler area of the grill and close the lid) for the rest of its cooking time. The indirect heat is vital to keeping your pork tender and juicy.

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

15 mins on a grill flipping both sides until the juice seeps out the surface of meat, then take off grill, rest for 1-2 minutes then enjoy ! No more so than any other meat. Tender cuts, like tenderloins and chops, don't need to be cooked for a long time. In fact too long will toughen them.

What makes pork tender and juicy during cooking? ›

Tips For Cooking Perfectly Tender Pork Chops in the Oven

Use bone-in cuts as they are fattier, juicier and more tender. Brine the pork chops to guarantee a juicy and well-seasoned piece of meat. Start pan-searing the pork chops and finish them off in the oven.

What do you eat chili verde with? ›

Chili verde is often served with warm tortillas or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. It can also be accompanied by refried beans, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.

What is chile verde sauce made of? ›

Ingredients and Substitutions

Tomatillos and some sort of green chile are the two key ingredients of chile verde. Different cooks will use different varieties of green chiles, but most often you will see Poblano chiles used for mild heat and Serranos used for spicier versions.

What can I add to chili verde to make it less spicy? ›

Serve the Chile Dish With Cream, Cheese, or Lime Juice

Acidic ingredients also neutralize capsaicin's burn somewhat, so squeezing some fresh lime juice on a spicy food can help a bit.

What country is chili verde from? ›

Green chile pork is a dish that originated in Mexico. It's known by a number of names including puerco con chile verde, chile verde con cerdo, cerdo en salsa verde, and carne de puerco en salsa verde. Some say it has close ties to dishes like guisado (stew) and cerdo en verdolagas (pork in purslane).

What are Mexican green chillies called? ›

Poblano peppers are one of the most popular chilli peppers in Mexico. They have a mild heat intensity and are usually used in dishes like chiles rellenos or mole sauce. The poblano pepper has a deep green color when fresh and turns dark red when dried.

Which chili sauce is hotter red or green? ›

Green Versus Red

You might assume red chile is spicier, but that's not usually the case. How hot your chile is depends on the variety of the plant used, as well as growing conditions. Generally speaking, the flavor of the chile gets sweeter, not hotter, as it ripens and turns red.

What should I soak my pork chops in? ›

Mix milk with first amount of salt (2 teaspoons) and allow pork chops to soak in this mixture for as long as you'd like, about an hour to maybe four works well. Overnight soaking will result in too much moisture & your breading will fall off. Remove pork chops from brine, and set aside.

Does soaking pork chops in salt water make them tender? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.

How can I tenderize pork chops quickly? ›

Place meat in a dish and cover with water. Remove meat and stir roughly 4 level Tbs of baking soda into the water. Put meat back in and soak (in refrigerator) overnight. Rinse THOROUGHLY and cook.

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