Parmesan Crusted Pork Chop

These Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops made with lean pork tenderloin coated in a delicious crispy Panko and Parmesan breading are baked and come out delicious every time. Serve them with some Parmesan Garlic Roasted Cauliflower or Cripsy Baked Broccoli for a healthy, flavor packed dinner.

The Leftover Conundrum: I feel like this could be the title of my life story. It is, after all, something I feel like I'm faced with fairly regularly. Take this recipe, for example. Whenever I feel in the mood for a cheesy, baked piece of protein, I reach for a pounded chicken breast. However, as my life story would indicate, last week I was looking for a way to use up some leftover (uncooked) pork chops.

And, you know, as sometimes recipe ideas do, an idea came to me immediately (sometimes it takes longer — a lot longer): I thought that a crust of Parmesan, Panko breadcrumbs, and herbs would be the perfect solution for turning these leftover chops into something mouth wateringly delicious.

Luckily, (because I was also short on time), this dish is relatively simple to make and can be baked in the oven or lightly fried in a skillet with a hint of olive oil. For low-carb dieters, you could substitute in some almond flour for the Panko or just use all Parmesan cheese instead.

How do you make Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops?

Once my pork chops are thawed (if they've been in the freezer), and I'm ready to get working on dinner, I preheat the oven to 400 degrees. I combine my Parmesan, Panko, and spices in a shallow bowl, then whisk my egg whites in another shallow bowl and set those aside on my workspace.

I take the pork chops and put them on a plate or dish, so that they are all flat with one side facing up so I can season them with salt and pepper on both sides. In a kind of assembly line, I line up the seasoned pork chops, followed by the egg whites and then the breadcrumb mixture. I take one pork chop at a time, dip it in the egg whites, then into the breadcrumbs, making sure to get both sides coated well. Then each pork chop goes onto a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

I pop those in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until they are fully cooked all the way through and the crust starts to brown.

Sides to serve with Parmesan Pork Chops

• Pair these pork chops with a simple green salad and some lemon wedges — no need for a heavy dressing.
• Roasted veggies are always a great idea — add your favorites to a sheet pan with a little olive oil, salt and pepper or use an Italian seasoning as well. Roast right next to your pork chops. You can even use the same sheet pan!
• Some zucchini or other veggie noodles would be delicious alongside your pork and make the meal quite filling, yet super healthy.
• Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are a fan-favorite in my family. You can hardly tell you're eating a veggie instead of a starchy potato.
• Israeli Chopped Salad is a quick-and-easy way to use up veggies begging to be eaten in your refrigerator. Plus, tomatoes are in season now and make this salad quite healthy and refreshing.
• Roasted sweet potatoes are just what the doctor (chef?) ordered. Full of beta-carotene, and with a low glycemic index and cancer-fighting abilities, sweet potatoes are quite the super spud and should make an appearance as a side quite often, I think.
• If you're hankering for a carby side, try some Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese. Baked in the oven, a small portion goes a long way and will satisfy your need to nosh.

What makes these Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops healthy?

• Lean, boneless center-cut pork chops are lower in fat and calories than other cuts of pork chops. They are a good source of lean protein, the building blocks of your muscular system. Baking them instead of frying them also makes them healthier and less caloric and fattening.
• Egg whites are a high-protein, low-calorie, low-fat food. They also make a great base for making your breadcrumb coating stick to your meat without the use of milk, whole eggs, or flour.
• Parmesan cheese is another great source of protein, calcium, and fat. Parmesan is also lower in fat and calories than a lot of other cheeses and the calcium it contains is good for your bones. It's also easier to digest than some softer cheeses and contains some probiotics.
• Panko bread crumbs are a healthier alternative to regular breadcrumbs. They are lighter and airier too, which I find to make for a nice texture when breading and baking these pork chops. They are low in calories, fat, and sodium while still containing plenty of fiber to keep you feeling fuller, longer.
• Spices such as Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are a great way to add tons of flavor to your dishes without adding any extra calories or fat.
• Lemons are a great source of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that is thought to reduce your risk of stroke. It also is a good source of flavonoids, which can help to ward off cancer and keep your heart healthy.