This recipe features a deliciously bold and unique combination of flavors inspired by Thai cuisine. Our boneless, butterflied pork chops are filled with a paste made from garlic, lemongrass, cilantro, fish sauce and coconut oil, then crusted in a blend of peanuts and panko crumbs and cooked until golden and crispy. Serve with steamed jasmine rice and sautéed snap peas.
PrintThai-Style Peanut and Panko-Crusted Pork Chops
Lemongrass, cilantro and garlic are the pungent flavors that make these peanut and panko crumb crusted chops outstanding.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 thick (1-inch) boneless pork loin chops
- 3/4 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
- 3/4 cup panko crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Coconut (or vegetable) oil for frying
- Lime wedges
For the stuffing:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 slice fresh ginger (about 1-inch diameter, 1/4-inch thick)
- 2 stalks lemongrass (lower portion only), roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems, loosely packed
- 1 teaspoon coconut (or vegetable) oil
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Trim any excess fat from the edges of the pork chops and, using a sharp knife, cut a pocket into each, leaving about 1/2-inch of the meat intact around the edges.
- Place the peanuts in the work bowl of a food processor and pulse until they reach the consistency of coarse crumbs. Transfer to a shallow dish (a pie plate works well), add the panko and combine well.
- Place the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, cilantro, coconut oil and fish sauce in the processor and pulse until the mixture forms a thick paste.
- Fill the chops with the stuffing mixture and secure with toothpick if necessary.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a shallow dish. Carefully dip each pork chop in the egg mixture, then place in the peanut-panko mixture and coat thoroughly on all sides.
- Film the bottom of an oven-proof skillet with coconut oil and heat over medium-high heat. Fry the pork chops, turning carefully, until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Cover the pan loosely with foil and place in the oven until the pork is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes longer.
- Transfer the chops to plates and serve with lime wedges and steamed jasmine rice.
Lynne Webb says
Panko crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs. They are generally more coarse than traditional bread crumbs, absorb less oil and retain a crunchier texture. You can use panko crumbs in just about any recipe that calls for bread crumbs. They make terrific crabcakes!
Joseph Hughes says
Hi What is panko?