Ritz Cracker Pork Chops

Name: Ritz Cracker Pork Chops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6 boneless thick-cut pork chops; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2 large eggs; 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ cup unsalted butter (thinly sliced); dried or fresh chopped parsley, for garnish ((optional))

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In just 40 minutes, with only a handful of ingredients, you can make these easy, crispy coated Ritz Cracker Pork Chops for a dinner everyone will devour!

A SIMPLY DELICIOUS PORK CHOP RECIPE

If you’re looking for an easy yet flavorful dinner, Ritz Cracker Pork Chops are the perfect solution! This classic dish is as easy to make as it is delicious, with minimal ingredients and prep time. They are inspired by my recipe for Ritz Cracker Chicken. An excellent weeknight meal, these lightly breaded pork chops are slightly crunchy, juicy, and loaded with flavor. The coating is what makes these pork chops so special!

A plate of Ritz Cracker Crusted Pork Chops, mac and cheese and steamed vegetables.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S):

Can I use thinner pork chops?

Remember that pork chops are lean cuts of meat and can dry out quickly, so you have to use a meat thermometer to determine when your pork chops are done (145F degrees). This is why I prefer a thicker cut as it is less likely to get dry and overcooked. If you have thinner chops, they can be used, but you’ll need to lessen the cooking time. I have never made these with the thinner cut pork chops so you’ll have to just play it by ear and check with your meat thermometer to know when they are done.

How do I know when my pork chops are cooked?

Cooking the pork chops to the right internal temperature is important. Make sure you check the doneness of the chops with a meat thermometer. The FDA says that pork chops need to be cooked to a minimum of 145F to be safe to eat. I usually cook mine to 155F degrees which is more of a medium well doneness.
Meat thermometers (paid affiliate link) are so cheap and they really are a life saver and can help you when you just can’t tell visually if they are done. No more raw chicken or pork when you use that!

What sides go well with pork chops?

Pork chops pair well with a wide variety of sides. A lot of people love to have some sort of apples served with pork so you could definitely serve it with some fried apples. Some of the most popular side dishes to serve with pork chops include roasted potatoes, baked beans, roasted vegetables, rice, steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
For a light and healthy side dish, consider a salad featuring leafy greens, seasonal fruits, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Can I use bone-in pork chops?

Yes but I haven’t tested this recipe with them. So I’m not sure what the exact cooking time would be but it wouldn’t be too far from this recipe in terms of time I would think. You definitely would need to use your meat thermometer to make sure they cooked all the way through before eating them.

How to store and reheat leftover pork chops?

Leftover pork chops should cool down to room temp before transferring to an airtight container and storing them in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, I like to use the oven until they’re heated through or use a microwave, but that can dry them out faster, so the oven is preferred.

A white plate with Ritz Cracker Pork Chops, steamed veggies, and mac and cheese.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

boneless thick-cut pork chops – see my FAQ’s above about other cuts.
eggs – these act as a binder to hold the crust onto the pork chops.
Ritz crackers – you can really use any type of cracker you enjoy.
garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika – this is the seasoning I use but if you have a favorite seasoning you usually use with pork, feel free to use that here.
unsalted butter – you can use salted butter. But because I season the pork chops with salt and the Ritz crackers also have salt on them, I chose unsalted.

Pork chops, Ritz cracker crumbs, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, eggs, salt, pepper, onion powder, and butter.

HOW TO MAKE RITZ CRACKER PORK CHOPS

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Season both sides of all the pork chops with the salt and pepper then set aside. In a shallow bowl, crack the eggs and beat them well with a fork. Set aside.

collage of two photos: seasoned pork chops in a bowl; eggs mixed together in a shallow bowl.

In another bowl, add the crushed Ritz crackers, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika and stir to combine. Dip a pork chop (one at a time) into the egg mixture, coating both sides then letting any excess drip off.

collage of two photos: crushed ritz crackers and seasonings in a bowl; one pork chops being dipped into the egg wash.

Next, put the pork chop into the cracker mixture and press the crumbs onto both sides of the pork chop. Place the pork chop into the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining pork chops. Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of the leftover Ritz cracker mixture onto the tops of the pork chops.

collage of two photos: a pork chops being covered in crushed crackers; coated pork chops in a baking dish.

Finally, place the sliced butter on top of all the pork chops. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes; check for an internal temperature of 155°F (this would be medium well), or until your desired temperature. Cook time can vary on how thick the chops are so it’s always best to use a meat thermometer. Note: Pork chops are considered safe to eat once their internal temperature reaches 145°F.