Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

By Maggie Mayoza Published in 30-Minute Recipes

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You’ll love these Creamy Cajun Pork Chops when you need a quick, low-carb dinner! Get the juiciest, thick-cut pork chops with a deliciously flavorful sauce in this easy one-pan recipe.

Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (1)

Cajun Pork Chops

Pork chops are a favorite in our house — They’re versatile, quick, and can be made healthy or indulgent depending on your mood! With this recipe you get juicy, tender meat and an extremely flavorful sauce that comes together easily. It’s fast enough for a weeknight dinner and so delectable you’ll want to serve it the next time you have company!

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Why you’ll love it:

  • Quick & Easy – This recipe gives you four large servings of juicy, impressive pork chops within 30 minutes! You don’t need any special equipment or difficult ingredients. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, and it will go with nearly any veggie for easy sides.
  • Super Juicy & Flavorful – The simple spice blend and creamy sauce make it easy to churn out delicious pork chops even as a beginner! Finishing the pork chops in the sauce and using a meat thermometer make it easy to get the perfect cook even if you’re not used to cooking pork chops.
  • Freezable for Meal Prep – If you like to plan ahead to have easy, cooked meals on hand, this is the perfect recipe for you! This recipe is perfect for stocking the freezer for a growing family, stressed neighbors, or someone in need of a good dinner.
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Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this recipe. You can find exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Thick-Cut Pork Chops – We love the thick-cut pork chops from Butcher Box (if you’re curious, this link should give us both $50 off). They’re uniform in size, 8 ounces each, and about 2 inches thick. If yours are smaller or thinner, you may need to decrease the cooking time.
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Paprika, Dried Oregano, Kosher Salt, and Cayenne Pepper (optional) – This blend creates a flavorful seasoning with hints of Cajun flare. If you like spice, go for the cayenne; feel free to leave it out if you want your dish more mild! You can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning, but be careful of the often high levels of salt.
  • Olive Oil – You can swap this out for your favorite cooking oil if you prefer.
  • Butter – This creates a velvety texture and beautiful flavor in the sauce. I have not used any butter substitutes, but I think a plant based butter could work similarly.
  • Heavy Cream – This is the heavy whipping cream, but you’ll pour it in unwhipped. I have not used any substitutes for this, but you could look for a store-bought plant-based cream alternative.

How to Make One Pan Pork Chops

This easy keto dinner is great for beginner cooks! You’ll just need a large skillet with a lid, a stovetop or hot plate, and a meat thermometer. Follow this step-by-step guide for beautifully juicy chops and the perfect cream sauce!

Season & Sear

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Combine the spices in a small bowl, then sprinkle each side of the pork chops with the spices. You can pat the seasoning into the pork chops to help the granules stick to the meat a little better. Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, add the seasoned pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Make Sauce

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Remove the pork from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally slowly.

Simmer Pork Chops in Sauce

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When the sauce has simmered softly for 3-4 minutes, add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover. Cook the pork over medium-low for 10-15 minutes or until the pork chop reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F with a meat thermometer.

How to Serve Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Sprinkle some fresh herbs for a burst of flavor and color on the plate, maybe even a dash of parmesan cheese if you want to be a little extra! Serve with some Mashed Cauliflower, a Keto Dinner Roll, and a Sugar-Free Gin Fizz for an impressive, full dinner with about 11 net carbs! For an easy, healthy weeknight meal, serve it on a bed of crispy Air Fryer Broccoli.

More keto sides for pork:

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Storage & Freezing Instructions

Allow the pork chops and sauce to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. If you’d like to keep the pork chops longer, place in a freezer-safe container. Pork chops will have the best flavor and texture if eaten within 3 months after freezing.

Pro Tip: Using these reusable bags means you can freeze and reheat the pork chops all in the same container! Great for reducing waste and dishes!

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Best way to reheat pork chops without drying them out:

  • Stove top – Heat a skillet to medium-low, then add in your pork chops and sauce and cover. Stir occasionally for even heating, flipping the pork chops over after 3-4 minutes to warm up the other side.
  • Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pork chops and sauce in a baking dish and cover with foil. Heat in the oven for about 10 minutes, flipping the pork chops and stirring the sauce halfway through the reheating time.
  • Microwave – Place pork chops and sauce on a plate, ensuring the pork chop is covered in the sauce for the juiciest meat. Blast on 50% power in 45-60 second increments, flipping the pork chop and swirling the sauce around after each blast.

If your pork chops are frozen, first let them defrost overnight in the fridge. This helps keep the sauce super smooth and the meat nice and tender. Thawing too quickly can cause the cells in the food to break down, causing a broken sauce or tough meat.

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If you like this easy keto dinner, you’re going to love these low-carb recipes!

  • Instant Pot Pork Chops – Perfect for those nights you don’t want to heat up the kitchen or take up oven space! The gravy is so tasty, you’re going to want a keto roll or two to sop up all the flavor.
  • – This is a super filling meal that is ready quick enough for a busy weeknight. Add some Mashed Cauliflower for a classic, delicious dinner!
  • Asian Pork Chops with Sesame Broccoli – Such a great one-pan meal! This one doesn’t need an additional side, though some Cauliflower Fried Rice would be nice.
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops – These are so easy and juicy! They’re perfect for a weeknight or lazy weekend because it’s ready in 20 minutes and doesn’t require much work or cleanup at all.
  • Pork Chops & Green Bean Sheet Pan – This is an easy, healthy meal that will help you keep your sanity through busy times. Very little prep, effort, or cleanup involved at all!

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Creamy Cajun Pork Chops

Annie

You'll love these Creamy Cajun Pork Chops when you need a quick, low-carb dinner! Get the juiciest, thick-cut pork chops with a deliciously flavorful sauce in this easy one-pan recipe.

No ratings yet

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, One Pan

Cuisine Keto

Servings 4 servings

Calories 447 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 thick cut pork chops about 8 ounces each
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter divided
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Instructions

  • Combine the spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle each side of the pork chops with the spices.

  • Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, add the seasoned pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

  • Remove the pork from the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the butter and allow the mixture to come to a simmer, stirring occasionally slowly.

  • When the sauce has simmered softly for 3-4 minutes, add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover.

  • Cook the pork over medium-low for 10-15 minutes or until the pork chop reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Notes

Cook time will depend on size of pork chops. Mine were 8 ounces each and thick cut, so yours may need more or less time depending on how they compare.

Net carbs are 3.7 g per serving

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pork chopCalories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 4.6gProtein: 15.5gFat: 41.5gCholesterol: 142.6mgSodium: 287.7mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 2.4g

Keyword easy dinner ideas, keto recipes, one pan recipe, pork chop recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Creamy Cajun Pork Chops - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

To cook moist pork chops, try brining them beforehand in a solution of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes. Then, sear them on high heat to lock in juices, and finish cooking them on lower heat until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Are pork chops OK to eat on keto? ›

Yes! Pork Chops are keto-friendly and can be prepared in many different ways, such as in a slow cooker, Instant Pot(electric pressure cooker), air fryer, cast-iron skillet, baked in the oven, or on the grill. For most, fatty meats are a staple of the keto diet, so pork chops are an excellent choice.

Should you soak pork chops before cooking? ›

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.

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.

How do I cook pork chops so they don't dry out? ›

Braising takes pan-fried pork chops one delicious step further. Braising is also a forgiving cooking method. Because the chops finish by simmering in liquids, they won't dry out as easily. Just give them a quick high-heat sear in the skillet first.

What meat is not keto-friendly? ›

Examples of meat products to avoid:
  • Breaded meats.
  • Bacon with added sugar.
  • Processed meat that could have hidden carbs.
  • Processed meats high in nitrates.
  • Plant-based proteins.

Is Mayo good for keto? ›

Keto Mayo Nutrition Information

Mayonnaise is the perfect condiment for the Keto Diet because it consists of high fat, low protein, and zero carbohydrates. It also has many health benefits that can help you maintain Ketosis and achieve your weight loss goals on the Keto diet.

Can you eat carrots on keto? ›

Carrots can be part of a keto diet. However, given that they contain moderate amounts of carbs, you'll need to strictly limit your portion size.

Why do you put applesauce on pork chops? ›

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

How does Rachael Ray cook pork chops? ›

Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Coat the pork chops with EVOO and season liberally with salt and pepper. Grill the chops, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes, basting liberally with the glaze during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Does baking soda or baking powder tenderize pork chops? ›

To use baking soda as a tenderizer, mix a small amount (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per pound of meat) with the meat and let it sit for about 15–20 minutes. Then rinse the meat fully with water to remove any remaining baking soda before cooking.

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

The meat soaks up the salt water which results in meat with more moisture, even after cooking. The salt also changes the texture of the meat, making it more tender. In addition, that salt is adding seasoning and flavor for a more delicious dish. For more information about brining, head over here.

What is the formula for brine? ›

Basic Brine

Place that volume of water in a container large enough to hold the brine and the meat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water you used and mix until the salt is completely dissolved. For example, if you are using 1 gallon (16 cups) of water, add 16 tablespoons (1 cup) of salt.

How can I tenderize pork chops quickly? ›

If cooked correctly, pork chops really don't need to be tenderized; the cooking process does that for you. However, if you must, you can marinate them in your favorite acidic marinade for a half hour or so before cooking. They won't need more than that.

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.

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.

What should I season pork chops with? ›

Pork Chop Seasoning Recipe
  1. 3 tablespoons paprika.
  2. 2 tablespoons kosher salt.
  3. 3 teaspoons pepper.
  4. 2 teaspoons brown sugar.
  5. 2 teaspoons garlic powder.
  6. 2 teaspoons onion powder.
  7. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
  8. 1/2 teaspoon sage (optional)
Jul 31, 2023

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