Easy Oven Baked Crispy Pork Chops and Fennel Salad

Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli
Italian Cuisine Expert and Food Blogger
Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli, the mastermind behind Nonna Box, has honed his culinary expertise for decades, inspired by family feasts in Emilia-Romagna. Mentored by his restaurateur nonna, he mastered Italian classics and furthered his skills with professional culinary studies in desserts and gelato making from Mec3. Today, he shares this rich legacy and authentic recipes through Nonna Box.
Expertise: Italian cuisine, Pasta, Pizza, Pastry, Dessert

If you’re looking for a fresh way to prepare pork chops, this is it. Despite the title, these pork chops are baked rather than fried, making them perhaps a little healthier than you expected while still retaining a wonderfully crispy crust. The addition of Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh parsley in the breadcrumb mixture adds delicious flavor to the pork chops. A refreshing fennel salad complements both the texture and taste of the pork chops beautifully and provides some vitamins to go with the lean protein.

Pork is one of the most popular meats in all of Italy. Dried, cured, fresh—any way you can think of, Italians love their pork. I wanted to make a flavorful and perfectly cooked pork dish, so I created this light crispy oven baked pork chops with fennel salad recipe. This technique keeps the pork moist and juicy, while the Parmigiano-Reggiano and panko crust stays crunchy and doesn’t get soggy, even if served at room temperature. Adding a refreshing fennel salad with a light apple cider vinaigrette makes this a perfect summertime dinner that is great for dinner parties, since you just put the pork in the oven and wait for it to finish while you enjoy some wine with your guests.

Oven Baked Pork Chop

Easy Crispy Oven Baked Pork Chops and Fennel Salad

If you love fried chicken but want a healthier and equally delicious alternative, this recipe is it!
4.60 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe
Course: Secondi
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 907kcal

Ingredients

SALAD DRESSING

Instructions

  • Combine panko, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley in shallow dish and toss to evenly coat the dish.
  • Transfer to the oven and bake at 350ºF for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool, add the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and toss to incorporate.
  • Raise the oven temperature to 450°.
  • Place the flour in another shallow dish.
  • Beat the eggs and put in another shallow dish.
  • Lightly salt each side of the pork chops, then dredge each pork chop in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the eggs, and finally in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to allow panko to adhere evenly to the pork chops.
  • Spray a wire rack with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.
  • Transfer the breaded pork chops to the wire rack and bake for 20 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette, slowly adding the olive oil while whisking.
  • Using a mandoline, shave the fennel bulbs to 1/16-inch slices. Toss with the dressing and add the capers, then arrange on a serving platter.
  • Remove the pork chops from the oven and let rest for 3 minutes. Slice each pork chop into 1/4-inch slices and place on the fennel salad. Serve immediately.
Serving: 125g | Calories: 907kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 1339mg | Potassium: 1176mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 18.5mg | Calcium: 247mg | Iron: 5.8mg
Liked this recipe?Follow us NonnaBox for more!

Please let us know if you try this recipe and if you do, please let us know what you think!

Buon appetito!

One Response to “Easy Oven Baked Crispy Pork Chops and Fennel Salad”

  1. Chris David says:

    I’m about to make this but only have a 3lb pork sirloin roast with plenty of fat. Should I keep everything the same and just reduce cooking time I’m the crock pot? Or should I go the Dutch oven route? Thank you

Leave a Reply