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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. :)
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- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 pork chops 1x
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
- 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.
- 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
posted on November 13, 2009 by Ali
Main Dishes
23 Comments »
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23 comments on “Cocoa and Chili Rubbed Pork Chops”
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rita — November 13, 2009 @ 8:22 pm Reply
love the top pic. never tried the chili/cocoa combo, but maybe i should!
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Aggie — November 14, 2009 @ 6:00 am Reply
Wow, great recipe!! I am totally going to try this!! Great blog you have here!
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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!
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Anne — November 14, 2009 @ 1:53 pm Reply
Oh this looks yummy! I can’t wait to try it.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Virginia R — February 11, 2011 @ 5:06 pm Reply
My bf and i jsut made these for supper, and they were soooo tasty! thanks:)
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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.
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Candice — March 3, 2014 @ 1:49 pm Reply
This looks absolutely amazing and I’m sure it tastes delicious too!!
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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 ;)
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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!
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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!
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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! : )
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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?
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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! :)
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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 :)
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Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven — September 15, 2015 @ 11:28 am
Yep, that’s about right! We’re happy you liked it! :)
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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!
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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
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Missy — July 14, 2022 @ 1:06 pm Reply
Yummy.. added a 1/4 tsp cayenne 🌶 pepper
