• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer left navigation
  • Skip to footer right navigation
  • Skip to footer bottom navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
Display Search Bar
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!
  • Meal Plan Membership Join Now!

Wholesomelicious

Wholesome recipes, delicious food

  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Grilling
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
      • Soups
    • Sides
      • Vegetables
      • Miscellaneous
    • Apps/Snacks
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Desserts
    • All Recipes
  • Special Diets
    • Gluten Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Whole30
  • Cookbooks

Apr 3

Creamy & Smoky Chipotle Pork Chops (Paleo, Whole 30)

Keto
Paleo
Whole30
Gluten Free
Less than 30 minutes
Keto
Paleo
Whole30
Gluten Free
Less than 30 minutes

These Creamy & Smoky Chipotle Pork Chops are cooked to perfection on a skillet, and dressed up with a deliciously creamy, smoky chipotle sauce! A quick and easy dinner packed with flavor that is dairy-free, Paleo, Keto, and Whole 30 compliant.

Pork chops aren’t really my thing you guys. I am much more of a chicken, steak, or vegetarian meal kinda girl; I’m sure you can tell. But in an effort to change things a round a bit, I went outside my comfort zone and pan seared these pork chops. Let me just tell you, Creamy & Smoky Chipotle Pork Chops are officially my favorite pork chop ever!

The Most Flavorful Pork Chops!

The whole family loved these, and now I can officially say that pork chops can be my thing! The dry rub, the sauce, and the flavoring of a pan seared chop were just perfect. I used my favorite flavoring combinations here: chipotle, lime, and cilantro. Canned coconut milk is used here to create the dairy free creamy texture. I think it perfectly balances out the spice with a hint of natural sweetness!

How to make Creamy & Smoky Chipotle Pork Chops

Let’s first gather up a large cast iron skillet and our ingredients!

Ingredients:

  • 4 Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops (about 3/4 inch thick)
  • Avocado oil or olive oil
  • chili powder
  • paprika
  • cumin
  • chipotle chili powder
  • salt
  • garlic clove
  • canned coconut milk
  • cilantro
  • liquid smoke
  • fresh cilantro
  • lime

The directions:

To start I heated up my skillet while I prepared a quick and easy dry rub. Generously rub both sides of your pork chops.

 

Once the skillet is hot, add the oil and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the pork chops. Let the pork chops sear for 4-5 mins per side. Pork chops can be a bit tricky to cook, as you want them to be cooked through with just a tiny bit of pink on the inside. They will continue to cook once you remove them, but this allows them to retain flavor and juiciness.

While they were cooking, I blended up the sauce: coconut milk, cilantro, chipotle seasoning, and liquid smoke. Once both sides were perfect, I dumped the sauce into the pan scraping up leftover seasonings from the rub. It was perfect!!

Serving and Storing:

We served alongside roasted vegetables and rice (Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice for me). Garnish with some lime juice and fresh cilantro. These would also taste PERFECT over a bed of my favorite Skillet Potatoes

Store in the fridge for up 5 days. This recipe will not freeze well because of the coconut milk component.

They were a bit spicy, but my kids still were able to eat them without complaints. Because my tolerance for spice is high, I rely on them to be the judge! We all thought they had just the right amount of kick. You can add more sauce to each pork chop for even more flavor and spice, or keep the sauce at a minimum to reduce the spice. I hope you enjoy!!

Looking for more Whole30 recipes? You can also check out my Whole30 Weekly Meal Plans + Grocery Lists!

Hungry for More? Subscribe to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! And be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Creamy Smoky Chipotle Pork Chops (Paleo, Whole 30)

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 309 kcal
Author Amy Rains
4.77 from 17 votes
Print

Ingredients

  • 4-5 Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops about 3/4 - 1 inch thick
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 cloves garlic minced

For the Rub:

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle chili pepper spice
  • 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup canned coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle chili pepper spice
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke*
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For garnish:

  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Begin by heating a large skillet to medium high heat. Prepare your pork chops: Mix together ingredients for the rub. Rub each side of the pork chops with spices.

  2. Once skillet is hot, add the garlic and cook for about one minute. Now add the pork chops.

  3. Cook your pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the center reaches 165 degrees and is only slightly pink. Reduce heat to low.
  4. While the pork chops are cooking, mix together coconut milk, chipotle pepper, cilantro, and liquid smoke in a blender or food processor until smooth.
  5. Once pork chops are cooked through, pour the sauce on top. Reduce heat to low, and scrape any bits of rub seasoning to add to the sauce.
  6. Garnish with juice of 1 lime and extra cilantro (optional) and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

*This can be found in almost every grocery store with the BBQ sauces. A really good brand with minimal ingredients that is Paleo, Whole30, and Keto compliant is Wrights brand. 

Calories 309kcal
Fat 22g
Saturated fat 13g
Cholesterol 72mg
Sodium 321mg
Potassium 566mg
Carbohydrates 4g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 2g
Protein 25g
Vitamin A 725%
Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 20%
Iron 2%

 

 

Pin66K
Share2K
Tweet
68K Shares
Share this Post
Pin66K
Share2K
Tweet
68K Shares
  • 30 Days of Whole30
  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (Paleo, Dairy-Free, Whole 30)
  • Creamy Maple Dijon Chicken with Bacon (Paleo)
  • Almond Crusted Pork Chops with Mushroom Garlic Sauce
< Previous Post
Next Post >

Reader Interactions

View Comments
Join the Conversation
  1. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

    April 4, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    I was literally just thinking about pork chops this morning! That rub sounds crazy delicious.

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      April 5, 2016 at 4:19 am

      Thanks Jennifer!! Great minds think alike ????

      Reply
  2. Cailee says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Oh my gosh! YUM! These pork chops look SO good! I just love cilantro and lime! Such great additions! Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo Cailee!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      April 6, 2016 at 1:54 am

      Thank you Cailee! Hope you enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  3. Rachel Cox says

    April 5, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    On my list for next week! These sound AMAZING! We made your maple Dijon chicken this week and literally it was my favorite paleo dish we have made yet!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      April 6, 2016 at 1:54 am

      Totally made my day, thank you Rachel! So glad you love the maple dijon chicken! This is a really yummy one too 🙂

      Reply
  4. Missy says

    April 24, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    Would this work with chicken?

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      April 24, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Absolutely!!

      Reply
  5. Dain A Frisby-Dart says

    May 1, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Would these work on the grill?

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      May 1, 2016 at 6:34 pm

      Yes, the only difference is that for the sauce, you would need to cook it separately on the stove top. It tastes best warm!

      Reply
  6. Cara says

    May 16, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    We tried this recipe last night, and it was DELICIOUS. We grilled them and poured the sauce on top when they were done. Made it with a cauliflower puree, which worked perfectly with it. Thanks for the awesome recipe!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      May 16, 2016 at 1:56 pm

      Thank you, so glad you enjoyed them Cara! We grilled them the other day and loved that variation too!

      Reply
  7. Bri says

    June 13, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    These look so good! Any ideas on how to replace the coconut milk and still keep it dairy free? I’m allergic to coconut. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      June 14, 2016 at 3:23 am

      Hi Bri! I would think about just omitting the coconut milk without substituting anything else, it still tastes delicious! If you still want that creamy texture, maybe a cashew milk?

      Reply
  8. Heather says

    August 15, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    5 stars
    These were absolutely scrumptious! My family was drinking the sauce with a spoon! Awesome!!

    Reply
  9. Kristin says

    September 16, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    The only chipotle powder I could find is chipotle pepper flakes. Is that what you are using? Do you think that will work?

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 16, 2016 at 6:33 pm

      Kristin, I think that could work. I do use a powdered form of chipotle spice that can be found in most grocery stores in the spice section. You can also use Adobo sauce from canned chipotles. But, work with what you have and let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  10. Celeste says

    May 22, 2017 at 6:18 am

    I made this 2nd recipe, they are soooooo really delicious!
    i’m gonna say is— 5 stars.

    Reply
  11. Mary says

    August 7, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    I made these tonight! I did change the sauce a bit because I had a few chipotle peppers to use up, so I blended seeded chipotle peppers with the coconut milk and added a bit of salt. Delicious!

    Reply
  12. Kelly says

    September 14, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    These are delicious! My husband is not a fan of porkchops and I probably haven’t cooked porkchops in over a year. I came across this recipe and decided to give it a try. My husband LOVED them and I have cooked them two weeks in a row per his request!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 14, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      So glad you liked them!

      Reply
  13. Kasia Gilbert says

    October 4, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Amy these were fabulous! Would you mind if I posted about your recipe and link back to you and this post?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      October 4, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      Of course!! Glad you loved it!

      Reply
  14. Tiffany says

    October 26, 2017 at 9:24 pm

    This turned out great even my 9 and 7 year old loved it. Thank you for the great recipe

    Reply
  15. Lisa says

    December 6, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    4 stars
    This recipe has been a delicious part of my lunch and dinner menu this week. Paired with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, this is a hit. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Rosie says

    January 4, 2018 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    I’m never one to post but after my boyfriend’s reaction and his request for more I had to leave a great comment for a non-frequent cook. It had such a simple yet savory flavor. Cooking the pork chops for 6 minutes was perfect on the skillet. My boyfriend is not doing the Whole 30 so I made a cilantro rice since I had so much leftover with a side of garlicky carrots and potatoes in the oven. I can’t rave enough about this recipe that I had no more pork chops but yet kept the leftover sauce.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      January 5, 2018 at 12:05 am

      Thanks so much for your comment, Rosie!! We had these for dinner too, with broccoli and potatoes. So glad you loved them!

      Reply
  17. LCBD says

    February 13, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    3 stars
    Made tonight since it has been on my list. I love your recipes. I made this one to the “T” but the sauce separated; I honestly think it was too much oil. I would also recommend making the sauce first. It’s too much of a frazzle to make the sauce while the pork chops are cooking. Better have it ready to just pour in the pan since the cooking time is so short. Served with mashed white sweet potatoes and sauteed swiss chard. The best thing about this recipe is that it’s so fast.

    Reply
  18. sarah says

    September 3, 2018 at 6:19 pm

    4 stars
    Hi, what brand of liquid smoke have you found that is whole30 compliant? I haven’t found one yet!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      September 3, 2018 at 7:47 pm

      Hi Sarah,

      Wright’s brand or Cedar House are both compliant.

      Reply
  19. Ashley says

    October 15, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    So yummy! I thought it was perfect. My husband would like more chipotle flavor so maybe next time I’ll chop some chipotles and add that but I can’t stop going to the kitchen to get little tastes of the sauce.

    Reply
  20. Sarah says

    December 14, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness. Made this for my family tonight and we all died. It’s so hard trying to eat healthy sometimes, but this tasted like something from a fancy restaurant. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:33 am

      LOVE hearing that!! You are so welcome!

      Reply
  21. Amie Coleman says

    January 6, 2019 at 10:57 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite Whole30 recipes! I’m wondering if this would freeze well?

    Reply
    • Amy says

      January 6, 2019 at 11:11 am

      I have not tried it, but I don’t think it would work well with coconut milk unfortunately.

      Reply
  22. Mimi A says

    April 13, 2019 at 9:09 pm

    I so wanted to love this. We love chipotle, pork chops and coconut milk so win, right?
    The biggest issue I had was the watery consistency of the sauce. I ended up reducing it by about 60% so there was some body to the sauce. I’ll continue to tweak this because I believe in the flavor profiles.

    Reply
  23. Melissa says

    May 1, 2019 at 12:30 am

    5 stars
    I added some halved cherry tomatoes at the very end and served with cubed avocado and mango. That way I didn’t have to cook any veggies. Everyone loved it. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  24. Dolores Ferrero says

    July 16, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    5 stars
    We made this for dinner tonight, and will definitely repeat it. It would be awesome with both chicken and salmon as well (obviously adjusting the cooking time for salmon). Paired it with (not paleo) frozen corn, and some sad, wilting spinach I tossed in the pan with the sauce. Yum.

    Reply
  25. @TetonTater says

    September 17, 2019 at 11:52 am

    Amazeballs. We started them on the stove in a cast iron skillet and finished in the oven.

    Reply
  26. Heather Anderson says

    February 28, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    This was amazing! I am Keto and used heavy whipping cream instead of coconut milk. Also used smoked paprika instead of regular.
    Definitely in the meal rotation.

    Reply
  27. Ashley says

    June 12, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    My husband and I love this recipe! The pork comes out so tender and the flavor is killer! We like to serve it over a baked potato for a easy dinner with steamed veggies. So good!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      June 13, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      So glad you love it, Ashley! And agree that a baked potato is a delicious side!

      Reply
  28. Amy Marquez says

    October 11, 2020 at 9:10 pm

    Have you ever made this with chicken? If so, does it taste as good? I love this recipe, but my kids don’t like pork chops!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      October 12, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      Yes, you can definitely make with chicken.

      Reply
  29. SUSAN says

    February 9, 2021 at 10:17 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this delicious, Amy! The flavors are amazing!

    Reply
  30. Danyial says

    February 16, 2021 at 11:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious. I made the cilantro lime cauliflower rice with this.
    I love the layers of flavors. I put into a pasta bowl with a mound of rice, chip on top and poured the amazing creamy sauce on top. Garnished with fresh cilantro and lime as you suggested.

    Reply
  31. Kay says

    February 24, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so delicious! Thank you, Amy! I served it over garlic mashed potatoes with a side of roasted veggies.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Recipe Key

Keto
Paleo
Whole30
Vegan
Gluten Free
Kid-Friendly
Less than 30 minutes
Slow Cooker
Instant Pot
Air Fryer

Welcome!

I’m Amy, foodie, nutritionist, recipe developer, wife, and busy mom of 2. I am on a mission to create everyday nutritious recipes that taste absolutely DELICIOUS!!! I love comfort food with a healthy twist. Follow me as I share the simple meals I make for my family. I’ll make meal planning easy by telling you exactly what we eat every week! Read More

Free Recipes

Delivered right to your inbox!

    Follow on Pinterest

    Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2021 Wholesomelicious. Site by Melissa Rose Design and Once Coupled.

    Get notified when we launch our nutrition-based meal plans