Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa
Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection, accompanied by a smoky roasted poblano and sweet corn salsa. This mexican-inspired street food ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 2 poblano peppers
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 2 poblano peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, turning occasionally until skins are charred and blistered. Remove and place in a bowl covered with plastic wrap to steam for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Peel off the skins from the poblanos, remove seeds, and dice the roasted peppers.
- Step 3: In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels, diced roasted poblano peppers, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin. Mix well and set aside.
- Step 4: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F).
- Step 6: Remove chops from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Step 7: Serve pork chops topped with the roasted poblano and corn salsa for a vibrant, smoky accompaniment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa?
Mexican street food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners. The salsa is the star!
- ★★★★★
The pork chops were perfectly seared and the salsa added such a fresh kick. My family loved it!
- ★★★★☆
I followed the recipe exactly, but the chops took longer to cook than expected. Still delicious though.