Quick Lemony Skillet Pork Chops with lemon-hinted quinoa and steamed green beans
This recipe is a quick, healthy and tasty weeknight meal that can be on your table in 30 minutes or less. The recipe uses ingredients that you probably have on-hand or would be a simple stop on the way home. Lemon gives both the pork chops and the quinoa a fresh pop of flavor. Quick update! I did this same recipe but with boneless skinless chicken and it was wonderful as well!!
Let’s get started with the skillet pork chops…
I used lean bone-in pork chops, but you could use boneless pork chops or slices of pork loin. Just be careful not to over-cook, or the pork will become dry and tough. Begin by seasoning the pork chops on both sides with Montreal Steak Seasoning or your favorite seasoning salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork chops on both sides.
Onto the quinoa…
While the pork chops are cooking, start the quinoa. Wanna learn more about this superfood quinoa? Head over to this post to learn all about quinoa! And if you want even MORE INFO on quinoa, here is a great resource for you to check out. Combine 2 parts water or chicken stock and 1 part quinoa with the zest of one lemon in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once it has come to a rapid boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until no liquid is visible.
This picture shows the quinoa after it has come to a boil and the heat has been reduced to a simmer. BTW…if you don’t like quinoa (I am not sure why you wouldn’t because it rocks and is uber healthy for you) or don’t have any on hand, you can go with brown rice instead. Back to the skillet pork chops 🙂
Once the skillet pork chops have browned on both sides, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the juice from the lemon that you zested for the quinoa. Let the skillet pork chops simmer in the lemon juice until cooked through and there is no longer any visible pink.
On to the green beans…
I just love the steam-in-bag fresh vegetables that are available now. They are trimmed, washed and steam right in the bag in 4 minutes. Winner!! While the pork chops are simmering in the lemon juice, you have just enough time to steam up your fresh green beans to round out the meal. Don’t like green beans or don’t have any on hand? No problem, just pick your favorite veggie to round out the meal.
Pop them in the microwave for 4 minutes and you have perfectly steamed vegetables 🙂 No extra pots to clean is an added bonus 🙂
Season them up with a few shakes of my favorite staple seasoning, Montreal steak seasoning, and they are good to go.
At this point your quinoa should be done as well. This is what it should look like. All of the liquid is absorbed and the individual grains have plumped up. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and add salt and pepper to taste…DONE! And here is the finished product:
Quick Lemony Skillet Pork Chops
- 2 tbsp. Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 4 lean bone-in pork chops
- Juice of one lemon (approx. ¼ cup)
- 2 cups water or chicken stock
- 1 cup pre-rinsed quinoa
- Zest of one lemon (approximately 1 tbsp.)
- sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
- 12 oz. steam-in-bag green beans
- 1 tbsp. Montreal steak seasoning
- Season the pork chops on both sides with Montreal Steak Seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork chops on both sides (approximately 4-5 minutes each side)
- Add the juice of one lemon, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until pork chops are cooked through with no visible pink remaining (approximately 4-5 minutes).
- Combine water (or chicken stock) and quinoa in a medium sauce pan.
- Bring to a rapid boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for approximately 15 minutes.
- When all liquid is gone and individual grains have plumped, the quinoa is done.
- Season with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste. Fluff with a fork.
- Place the bag of green beans in the microwave and cook on high for 4 minutes or according to package directions.
- Remove from bag, add montreal seasoning and serve.
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