Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

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Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (1)

I don’t know about other grocery stores across the country, but I feel like ours in Kansas City are always running sales on pork! While it’s not something I’d say I usually crave, I definitely enjoy “the other white meat” every now and then. (I owe this to being the daughter of my dad, who gets ridiculously excited about pork chops!) So since they were yet again on sale this week, day five of Cheap Eats Week here on the blog is an ode to the chop. :)

I think this may also be my first recipe on the blog featuring my favorite chocolate+chili combination! For those of you who’ve never tried it (and if this is the case, you must before you raise a skeptical eyebrow!), trust me that this doesn’t taste like pork with a Hershey’s bar on top. Rather, the cocoa just adds a subtle, yet delicious depth of flavor beneath the zing of the chili powder. I absolutely love the combination — in chilis, in truffles, cupcakes…you name it!

I ended up using ancho chili powder (subtle heat, but with a nice smokey flavor) for this recipe, but feel free to experiment with regular chili powder, chipotle chili powder, paprika, or whatever other favorites you have on hand. Also, while I made these in a skillet on the stove, I’m sure they would be even better cooked on a grill! Whatever your method, would encourage you to give these a try. Too simple, and way too yummy to pass up. :)

Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2)

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Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (3)

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  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 pork chops 1x
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Description

You’ll love this Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe! So flavorful!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 boneless pork loin chops
  • 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp. ancho chili powder (or regular chili powder)
  • 2 tsp. light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the cocoa, brown sugar, and chili powder together until well-blended. Sprinkle a little less than 1 tsp. on the tops of each pork chop, and pat/rub in. Flip over and do the same on the other sides. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes, then sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-heat. Test to see if the oil is ready by dripping a drop or two of water in the skillet. (No sound – pan is too cold. Splatter – too hot. Sizzle – perfect!) Add pork chops and cover for about 5 minutes. (Mine were not super-thick, so only left then in for 4 minutes.) Then uncover and flip, and cook for a few more minutes until thoroughly cooked (between 145-160 degrees). If juices start to form on top of the chops, they’re definitely done!

Notes

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine

Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (4)

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23 comments on “Cocoa and Chili Rubbed Pork Chops”

  1. rita November 13, 2009 @ 8:22 pm Reply

    love the top pic. never tried the chili/cocoa combo, but maybe i should!

  2. Aggie November 14, 2009 @ 6:00 am Reply

    Wow, great recipe!! I am totally going to try this!! Great blog you have here!

  3. grace November 14, 2009 @ 7:48 am Reply

    spicy chocolate truffles are something i eat obsessively, so i know i love the combination of cocoa and chili. using it with pork, which i also love, is inspired and looks delicious!

  4. Anne November 14, 2009 @ 1:53 pm Reply

    Oh this looks yummy! I can’t wait to try it.

  5. Jane November 14, 2009 @ 7:50 pm Reply

    This looks really good. I’m not one who typically craves pork either, but I can see craving this particular dish. Love your blog!

  6. robin November 15, 2009 @ 2:13 am Reply

    This recipe looks so different from what i usually make with pork chops. I am doing these tomorrow, they look so good!! Thanks for sending it.

  7. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction November 16, 2009 @ 7:06 pm Reply

    Yum… I love the combination of cocoa and chiles… Sounds tasty on pork chops! Love the pictures, too.

  8. Susan April 12, 2010 @ 12:11 pm Reply

    Love this! I was looking for a rub (via foodgawker) to put on my pork chops tonight. :-) I’m happy I found your blog. Oh, and I’m a native Leawood-er, transplanted to East Texas.

  9. Christa September 22, 2010 @ 9:00 pm Reply

    I just wanted to let you know that I love this recipie. Even my husband and oldest daughter who normaly hate pork chops have ate ever bite of theirs both times I made them like this. This is one going in my file to be made a lot because I love pork chops and now my family will eat them. Thanks

  10. Virginia R February 11, 2011 @ 5:06 pm Reply

    My bf and i jsut made these for supper, and they were soooo tasty! thanks:)

  11. Jodi September 29, 2011 @ 1:32 pm Reply

    Absolutely delightful! I tried a little cocoa on chops a month back. I could not believe how fabulous it was. I will have to try cocoa and chili now.

  12. Candice March 3, 2014 @ 1:49 pm Reply

    This looks absolutely amazing and I’m sure it tastes delicious too!!

  13. Dana March 26, 2014 @ 5:35 pm Reply

    I found this on Pinterest and decided to cook it for me and my children. It was a great flavor! Thank you so much for sharing! I posted it on Pinterest and on Facebook ;)

  14. Trina Tilson March 5, 2015 @ 12:43 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for this recipe. I am thawing pork chops now and I am excited to try this!

  15. Susan Marleau April 26, 2015 @ 7:41 pm Reply

    Panicked when my hubby grabbed pork loin chops instead of the top sirloin he thought he grabbed (don’t ask!) TG for this recipe! Super easy, had everything on hand, and said hubby loved it! :)

    One note – having worked under professional chefs, I would caution against heating the pan with oil in it, it could burn the oil. Heat your pan, then add the oil. It doesn’t take long for it to get to the proper temperature.

    Thanks again!

    • Ali April 30, 2015 @ 8:24 pm

      Oh no, haha! So glad it worked out, and thanks for sharing that tip on the oil, very good to know! : )

  16. Megan August 30, 2015 @ 8:06 pm Reply

    I just made these, and they are delicious! Now that I’ve tasted them, I have no idea what to serve them with! What vegetable and starch do you normally choose?

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven September 2, 2015 @ 10:43 am

      Thank you Megan, we’re glad to hear you liked them! We like eating these with risotto or roasted butternut squash/sweet potato and asparagus —we hope that helps! :)

  17. Kelly September 12, 2015 @ 6:52 pm Reply

    I used this recipe but grilled instead and it came out very smokey flavored. AMAZING! Not sure what it was supposed to taste like since I have never cooked with this combo, but it turned out good either way :)

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven September 15, 2015 @ 11:28 am

      Yep, that’s about right! We’re happy you liked it! :)

  18. Noelle January 12, 2016 @ 8:22 pm Reply

    Tried the pork chops and they are delicious! I used a dried ancho chili, “baked” for ten minutes at 400 degrees to puff it back up and then ground in my spice/coffee grinder.

    With the leftover rub, I made ice cream!!! One avocado, one banana, half cup almond milk and about four teaspoons rub mix. Blended in my nutribullet and frozen for one hour!

    Heav-en-ly!!! Thanks for a great rub recipe that’s pretty versatile!

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven January 13, 2016 @ 10:24 am

      We’re so glad you liked these Noelle, and that ice cream sounds brilliant – what a yummy idea! :D

  19. Missy July 14, 2022 @ 1:06 pm Reply

    Yummy.. added a 1/4 tsp cayenne 🌶 pepper

Cocoa & Chili Rubbed Pork Chops Recipe | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

Should you cover pork chops when you re baking them in the oven? ›

Some baked pork chop recipes do require that the pan is covered with either foil or a lid. It creates steam and ensures that the meat is tender and juicy. Those recipes typically require a long cook time and may add vegetables to the pan, and some uncover the chops to finish browning them at a higher temperature.

How long do you cook pork chops on 350 in the oven? ›

Bake pork chops that are about 1¼-inch thick at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 to 17 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

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).

How long to keep pork chops in oven? ›

How Long to Bake Pork Chops at 400 Degrees F. At 400 degrees F you can count on 7 to 8 minutes for each 1/2 inch of thickness your pork chops are. So, 3/4-inch-thick chops will take 10 to 12 minutes, 1-inch-thick cooks in 15 to 16 minutes, and so on.

Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400? ›

Is It Better to Bake Pork Chops at 350 or 400? The best temperature for baking pork chops depends on how thick they are, how you've prepared them and your personal preferences. Baking pork chops at 350 degrees F will result in more gently cooked and tender pork chops, but it will take more time.

How do you keep pork chops from drying out in the oven? ›

Brine the pork to maintain moisture by soaking it in a mixture of salt and water, baking soda, vinegar or even milk. You can also pour hot water over the loin to shrink the rind, which can enable better absorption of brine, milk, oil or marinade.

Is 30 minutes long enough to bake pork chops? ›

Bake for 45-60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. For thinner pork chops, bake 25-35 minutes. Allow chops to rest 5 minutes before serving.

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

At what temperature do you cook pork chops in the oven? ›

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sprinkle pork chops on all sides with thyme, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a pork chop reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 20 minutes.

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

Frying is also good, but I prefer grilling; baked, breaded pork chops are very good, as well, but baking tends to dry the chops. If one is using a breading then baking is the preferred method.

Should I oil my pork chops? ›

We prefer bone-in pork chops because the bone adds flavor and moisture to the finished pork chop. Olive Oil – to keep the chops from sticking, you'll need about 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Sea Salt – we're keeping the seasoning really simple here. All you'll need is 1 teaspoon of coarse or flaky sea salt.

Do you use oil or butter for pork chops? ›

I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

How do you know when pork chops are done in the oven? ›

You can check if the pork chops are cooked in the oven by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of your pork chops should reach 145°F (63°C) to be fully cooked. Another way to check if the pork chops are done is by cutting into the thickest part and checking that the juices run clear.

How do you know when pork chops are done without a thermometer? ›

One way to determine your porks' doneness is by the color of the juices that come out of it when you poke a hole in it with a knife or fork. If the juices run clear or are very faintly pink, the pork is done cooking. If they're mostly or entirely pink or red, it's best to continue cooking.

Can you overcook pork chops in oven? ›

Not Using a Meat Thermometer

Undercooked pork carries the risk of food-borne illness, and overcooked pork can be dried-out, tough, and chewy. Cook your chop until it's around 135 degrees, and then transfer it to a cutting board—the residual heat will bring it to the USDA's recommended 145 degrees.

How long do you cook pork chops in the oven at 400? ›

To ensure you have a juicy, tender piece of pork you want want to cook your bone-in pork chops to the correct temperature. The temperature for pork chops is 145 degrees F with a three minute rest which takes about 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees with the bone-in.

How do you keep pork chops tender when cooking? ›

5 tips for cooking juicy pork chops quickly
  1. 1Choose the right pork chop cut.
  2. 2Brining pork chops is not necessary.
  3. 3Rest the meat on the counter before cooking.
  4. 4Fat is key to keeping pork chops moist.
  5. 5Don't overcook the pork chops — and let them rest.
Oct 7, 2022

What is the rule for cooking pork chops? ›

Cook pork, roasts, and chops to 145 ºF as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source, with a three-minute rest time before carving or consuming. This will result in a product that is both safe and at its best quality—juicy and tender.

Should pork chops be at room temp before baking? ›

Let your chops sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before you begin to cook them. If the meat is too cold, the outside will overcook while the inside comes to the right temperature. Giving the pork a little time to warm up will ensure a nice crust on the outside, with a tender center.

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