Cast Iron

Super Juicy Crusted Pork Chops with Fennel Pollen

by:
May  2, 2017
3.5
2 Ratings
Super Juicy Crusted Pork Chops with Fennel Pollen
Photo by Jenya | BlueGalley
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

This is my most requested recipe by friends and family. And by requested, I mean people invite themselves over for dinner and I ask ME to make it. They say they try to replicate it at home and it just doesn't turn out the same. I think it's because they don't take the time to brine the chops first and assume that crushed fennel seeds is a fine substituted for the pricey fennel pollen. It's NOT! Ever since I discovered this magical fairy dust, I sprinkle it (lightly! a little goes a long way) on so many dishes, and especially whenever I'm breading something for frying. Try making these chops and invest in fennel pollen and you'll never make them another way. You can also use this coating to make crusted cod, sole or chicken. Get the pollen! You're welcome :)

Note:
* the seasonings say "divided" because you will be adding them to both the flour and breadcrumbs.
*If you must substitute the fennel pollen with ground fennel seeds, split 1 tbs between flour and breadcrumbs.
*If cooking 4 to 6 pork chops, just double the flour, breadcrumb and spice amounts. 1 tsp of fennel pollen, divided, will still be enough.
*You can find fennel pollen and Piment D'espelette (another spice you should invest in!) on Amazon.
*I think the best side for these chops is my Radicchio, Pear and Manchego slaw. You can find the recipe in my profile. You can also find step by step through instructions for both on my blog. —Jenya | BlueGalley

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 bone in pork chops (if cooking 4 to 6, just double all other ingredients)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 to 6 juniper berries
  • 5 to 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 3/4 teaspoon fennel pollen
  • 1/8 & 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon Piment D'Espelette or 2 pinches of cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
Directions
  1. Lightly pound the pork chops (I just use the paper they came in or a plastic bag) avoiding the bone, just to flatten them slightly and make them even more tender. (If brining, you can skip this step. I like to do both)
  2. Mix the salt and water, add the rest of the brining ingredients and submerge the pork chops. Place in the fridge and brine for 45 minutes put to 2 hours. (This is a good time to make your side, like my pear and manchego slaw)
  3. Set up 3 bowls, one with the eggs, one with the flour and another with the breadcrumbs. Add 1/8 tsp of salt, 1/8 tsp of Piment D'Espelette (or substitute) and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the flour. Add 1/4 tsp salt and rest of Piment d'Espelette and pepper to the breadcrumbs. Divide the fennel pollen between the flour and breadcrumbs. Mix flour and breadcrumbs with spices and beat the eggs. It's a good idea to set up bowls in order for dipping: 1st flour, then eggs and then breadcrumbs.
  4. Take a pork chop and dip it into the flour, making sure to coat all of it. Then dip in eggs and then coat well with the breadcrumbs. Repeat with the other pork chop (or others if cooking more) and then dip all the coated chops in into the eggs one more time and coat again with the breadcrumbs.
  5. If your pork chops are very thick, preheat oven to 325 and finish cooking them in the oven so the crust doesn't burn. Heat the butter and oil in a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium low heat. It's best to keep the heat on the lower side so the breadcrumbs don't brown too quickly. When the butter is melted and oil is hot, add the chops, 2 at a time, and cook without moving for 4 to 5 minutes. You want the crust to be golden, NOT dark brown. Take a peek, if it's browning too quickly, flip the chops sooner and lower heat slightly.
  6. Turn chops over and cook other side, again for about 5 minutes. Chops are done when they register 145. If the crust is nice and golden, but chops are not done yet, cover the pan with foil and let them finish in the 325 oven for 5 to 8 minutes.
  7. let the chops rest, loosely covered for 5 minutes before serving.
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5 Reviews

Sue H.
Sue H. December 11, 2021
Missing the recipe and ingredients for brining other than salt and water. I am left to assume anything in the ingredients that aren’t used in the pork chops should be used in the brine?

You mention no oil (or how much) at all in ingredients then tell us to heat it and add to butter for frying.

This was confusing and difficult to translate. First time I’ve had this type of issue with Food 52 recipes. Bummer.
 
stokes
stokes February 21, 2019
Place in the fridge and brine for 45 minutes put to 2 hours. Was that up to 2 hours?
Heat the butter and oil in a skillet. What oil, nothing in the list of ingredients?
 
Heather
Heather February 16, 2018
This recipe is absolutely delicious!! It was my first time brining and I can't imagine having pork chops any other way now. The extra layer of egg & breadcrumbs made for such a nice and thick crust. Thank you!
 
Jenya |.
Jenya |. February 20, 2018
Hi, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!!! I know... brining does wonders for pork chops. Even if you over cook them, they will remain super juicy if you brine them. Thanks for the nice comment :)
 
georgezeller
georgezeller October 23, 2021
Hi Jenya, I'm a little confused about the brine ingredients for Super Juicy Crusted Pork Chops with Fennel Pollen by: Jenya | Bluegalley; is the salt and water all that is in the brine, or are some of the other ingredients also to be put into the brine? Would appreciate a recommendation where to buy Fennel Pollen. Thank You.