Chili-Lime Pork Chops with Charred Corn

Juicy chili-lime pork chops pair with skillet-charred summer corn and a cool avocado-heirloom tomato salsa for a fast Tex-Mex dinner for two.

Ingredients

  • Boneless Pork Loin Chop
    2 chops (about 12 ounces total) $6.21
  • Bi-color Corn
    2 ears $0.79
  • Organic Heirloom Tomatoes
    1 medium tomato (about 6 ounces) $4.43
  • Medium Hass Avocado
    1 avocado $1.09
  • Red Onion
    1/4 cup diced $1.99
  • Cilantro Bunch
    1/4 cup chopped $1.19
  • Lime
    1 lime (about 2 tablespoons juice) $0.69
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Chili powder
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Garlic powder
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Shuck 2 ears corn and cut the kernels from the cobs. Dice 1 medium tomato, cube 1 avocado, finely dice 1/4 cup red onion, and chop 1/4 cup cilantro. Juice 1 lime to obtain about 2 tablespoons juice.
  2. Pat 2 pork chops dry, then coat them with 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. Combine 1 diced tomato, 1 cubed avocado, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to make the salsa.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear 2 seasoned pork chops for 4–5 minutes per side, or until the thickest part reaches 145°F; transfer the 2 pork chops to a board and rest for 5 minutes.
  5. While the 2 pork chops rest, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, the kernels from 2 ears corn, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots.
  6. Slice the 2 rested pork chops. Place 1 sliced pork chop and the kernels from 1 ear corn on each of 2 plates, divide all the avocado-tomato salsa between the plates, and garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: About $14–$16 based on listed ingredient prices, plus pantry staples

Health notes: Approximately 620 calories per serving, with about 45 grams of protein plus fiber-rich corn, avocado, and tomato.

Drink pairing: A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc or cold sparkling lime water complements the chili, lime, and sweet corn.